NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Ford Explorer, Ranger and and Bronco recall: The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power

Recall published 5 months ago

The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.

The hazard: Loss of drive power or rollaway

This campaign covers a loss of drive power or an unintended rollaway, where the vehicle stops doing what the driver asked of it.

What the notice says: A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

Why it matters: The vehicle may stall, lose motive power while being driven, or roll away after being left in park. A stall at speed removes power steering and power braking assistance at the same moment.

Recall details

Recall number
26V343000
Published
May 27, 2026
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
Ford
Product type
Engine And Engine Cooling
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
Ford Explorer
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 26V343000

Products covered by this recall

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.

Vehicles in this campaign

Check your product

The notice names 3 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Vehicle

Match this against the make and model on your registration.

  • Explorer
  • Ranger
  • and Bronco

Codes are lifted verbatim from the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Power loss

Ford — This campaign covers a loss of drive power or an unintended rollaway, where the vehicle stops doing what the driver asked of it.

  1. If the vehicle has already stalled or rolled, stop using it and tell the dealer that when you book — it moves you up the queue.
  2. Avoid high-speed roads with no hard shoulder if the notice describes a stall while driving.
  3. Keep the repair order the dealer hands you. It is your proof the campaign was closed out, and it matters at resale.
  4. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you do anything else. A campaign covers a build range, not every car of that model year, and the VIN lookup is the only thing that confirms yours is included.

Costs, reimbursement and your rights

The repair itself is free. What people most often miss is that money already spent can frequently be claimed back.

  • If you paid for the same repair out of pocket before the recall was announced, ask the manufacturer for reimbursement. Carmakers must run a reimbursement plan for pre-notification repairs; you will need the original invoice.
  • A dealer may not charge a diagnostic, inspection or shop-supplies fee for recall work. If one appears on the estimate, query it before you sign.
  • If a dealer refuses the repair, delays it unreasonably or tries to bill you, complain to the manufacturer’s customer line, then to NHTSA. Those complaints are logged against the campaign.
  • An unrepaired open recall can affect a sale or trade-in. Closing it out costs nothing and protects the value of the vehicle.

Remedy named in the notice: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S35. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 28, 2026.

Company contact: Ford Motor Company

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Ford engine and engine cooling recalled?

The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power. A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

If the vehicle has already stalled or rolled, stop using it and tell the dealer that when you book — it moves you up the queue.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S35. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 28, 2026.

Does the repair cost me anything?

No. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at a franchised dealer for as long as the campaign is open, whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.

Related recalls