Ford to recall 149,000 U.S. vehicles over power loss, NHTSA says

• The recall affects 2024-2026 Mustang vehicles with wiring harness issues that can cause loss of drive power or disable headlights, windshield washers, air conditioning, and engine cooling fans
• Dealers will replace the faulty engine compartment wiring harness ground terminals at no charge to owners
• This follows a separate Ford recall in June 2024 affecting 91,198 U.S. vehicles for daytime running lamps that failed to dim properly

Ford Recalls 149,000 U.S. Vehicles Over Safety Defects

Key Facts:

Ford Motor is recalling 148,663 vehicles in the United States due to critical safety issues involving power loss and reduced visibility, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Tuesday, September 1.

Affected Vehicles:

The recall covers 2024-2026 model year Mustang vehicles.

Technical Issue:

The problem stems from faulty engine compartment wiring harness ground connections that can cause multiple critical failures:

• Complete loss of drive power
• Disabled headlights
• Non-functional windshield washer system
• Inoperative air conditioning
• Failed engine cooling fan

These defects significantly increase crash risk by reducing driver visibility and potentially causing unexpected power loss while driving.

Remedy:

Ford dealers will replace the engine compartment wiring harness ground terminals free of charge to affected vehicle owners.

Recent History:

This marks Ford's second significant recall in recent months. In June, the automaker recalled 91,198 U.S. vehicles due to daytime running lamps that failed to dim properly, creating visibility hazards for other drivers and elevating crash risk.

Market Implications:

The recall adds to Ford's quality control challenges and associated costs during a period when automakers face increased scrutiny over vehicle safety. The consecutive recalls involving different safety systems may raise concerns among investors about manufacturing quality standards and potential reputational damage. These warranty and repair costs will impact Ford's near-term financials, though the company has not disclosed the estimated expense of this recall.