Ford is recalling 148,663 Mustang vehicles from the 2024 through 2026 model years over an engine-compartment wiring problem that could cause multiple components to fail, including headlights, the engine cooling fan, air conditioning, or the engine itself.
Heat Shrink Wrap Could Damage Ground Connections
According to recall documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the issue stems from heat shrink wrap added to certain portions of the wiring harness when Ford began production of the 2024 Ford Mustang.
Ford did not identify why it made the change, but said the heat shrink can interfere with eyelet terminals that attach ground wires to the vehicle’s chassis. That interference can cause the connections to bend and reduce their flexibility against vibration.
Over time, one or more ground eyelets can break and open the circuit.
Failures Could Affect Multiple Vehicle Systems
Ford said the symptoms can vary depending on which ground wire breaks. Possible issues include failure of the washer fluid pump, loss of air conditioning, headlights or other lights not working, failure of the engine fan, or an engine shutdown.
The problem first came to light in June, when members of Ford’s Electrical Distribution Systems team reported that a 2027 Mustang used for durability testing had two broken eyelets, resulting in a loss of engine power. The team later discovered that the issue predated the 2027 model year.
Ford told the NHTSA that it identified eight warranty claims related to the problem between October 2024 and August 2026. Four of those claims involved vehicles that had been in service for less than three months.
The automaker said it was not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries connected to the issue.
Ford Will Replace the Affected Wiring Connections
Ford dealers will repair affected vehicles by replacing the eyelets with a new pigtail featuring redesigned terminal geometry. The updated design is intended to eliminate interference and unwanted bending stress.
Most Seventh-Generation Mustangs Appear to Be Included
CarBuzz asked Ford whether the recall affects all seventh-generation Mustangs, which entered production for the 2024 model year. The company did not specifically answer that question.
However, a Ford spokesperson confirmed that the record-setting GTD and the supercharged Dark Horse SC are not included in the recall.
The recall appears to cover every seventh-generation Ford Mustang built before June 9, 2026. While 148,663 vehicles are affected, Ford said it expects only 1% to experience a premature wiring failure.
Owner Notifications Have Already Begun
Letters notifying owners are already being mailed, but the repair will not be available until the end of March 2027. Ford said it will send additional letters when the replacement wiring is available, allowing customers to schedule repair appointments.
The recall adds another large-scale action to Ford’s record of recall issues, with the affected vehicles including models engineered during the tenure of CEO Jim Farley, who has repeatedly said fixes were in place and that the company’s recall record would improve.
