The defect affects a broad range of 2024 through 2026 model year Mustangs. While Ford estimates the actual failure rate sits at roughly 1% of the 148,663 potentially impacted vehicles, the consequences of a sudden loss of drive power or failure of the engine cooling fan present a significant safety risk. The company identified the root cause after reviewing assembly plant production records, noting that the issue stems from a design change implemented at the start of the 2024 production cycle.

Owners began receiving safety notifications this week, though a permanent fix remains distant. Dealers are tasked with replacing the engine compartment wiring harness ground terminals at no cost to the customer, but the necessary remedy is not expected to be available until March 2027. Ford implemented corrective manufacturing actions in June of this year to prevent further vehicles from leaving the factory with the vulnerable wiring configuration.