Recall 26V548000 / 26S61 - Improperly manufactured engine pistons may fail and cause engine failure (Bronco 2.3L)

[Murraydog11]

August 25 2026

NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V548000

Improperly Manufactured Pistons May Fail

An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Potential Number of Units Affected: 10001

Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang,
and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which
can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.

Remedy
Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of
charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed September
4, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in December
2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this
recall is 26S61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable
on NHTSA.gov on August 28, 2026.

Affected Products (5)
Vehicle
MAKE MODEL YEAR
FORD BRONCO 2026
FORD BRONCO SPORT 2026
FORD EXPLORER 2026
FORD MUSTANG 2026
FORD RANGER 2026

Associated Documents (2)
RCAK - Recall Acknowledgement
RCAK-26V548-9931.pdf 0.321KB
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCAK-26V548-9931.pdf
Recall 573 Report
RCLRPT-26V548-3059.pdf 0.556KB
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V548-3059.pdf

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[Ducati1098]

 

[JFelty]

Thanks for posting I got a bit worried at first then saw this in one of the document

" Affected vehicles are equipped with suspect 2.3L engines. "

 

[Ducati1098]

Thanks for posting I got a bit worried at first then saw this in one of the document

" Affected vehicles are equipped with suspect 2.3L engines. "

Yeah it’s only about ~1,000 broncos affected, so pretty low numbers even for those with a 2.3

 

[KillerPenz]

No way, you mean to tell me that our 2021's are finally out of the recall fiasco? Say it ain't so.

 

[Snowdogyyz]

Interesting how this issue is getting a pretty quick recall/response compared to the 2.7 issues that were ignored for years until some forum members started keeping data.

 

[Brian_B]

Finally the 2.3 catches up to the 2.7

 

[userdude]

Any truth that this photo from TMZ is the actual "improperly" manufactured piston?

 

[userdude]

Finally the 2.3 catches up to the 2.7

 

[swooshdave]

No way, you mean to tell me that our 2021's are finally out of the recall fiasco? Say it ain't so.

You had to say that out loud?

 

[Brian_B]

Got so sick of their smug superior" We are so much better because torque and twin turbo and cam phaser rattle and a wet belt and plastic oil pan" attitude. About time we got some love around here.

 

[Ducati1098]

Finally the 2.3 catches up to the 2.7

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...gine-assembly-replacement-may-28-2026.133544/

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...n-oil-3-27-23-5-18-23-production-dates.76444/

 

[Brian_B]

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...gine-assembly-replacement-may-28-2026.133544/

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...n-oil-3-27-23-5-18-23-production-dates.76444/

Stop ruining my bad jokes with facts. The truth has no place on this forum.

 

[vrtical]

free bore scopes for everyone?

 

[mdainsd]

Got so sick of their smug superior" We are so much better because torque and twin turbo and cam phaser rattle and a wet belt and plastic oil pan" attitude. About time we got some love around here.

2.7>2.3. Simple math really.

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