Mustang and Mustang GTD: Wiper Failure
The larger of the two recalls affects 67,842 gas-powered Mustangs. This includes certain 2024-2026 Ford Mustang models and the exclusive 2025-2026 Mustang GTD supercar. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), a defect can cause the windshield wipers to malfunction in cold temperatures at or below freezing. Under these conditions, the wipers may only operate on their highest speed setting, and the windshield washer system may fail entirely. This can significantly reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford has stated that the problem is due to a semiconductor chip supplier using an incorrect equipment setting during manufacturing. So far, the company is aware of 35 warranty claims related to the issue but no accidents or injuries.
Mustang Mach-E: Drivetrain Defect
The second recall targets 42,784 all-electric, rear-wheel-drive Mustang Mach-E SUVs from the 2021-2023 model years. The safety issue involves the rear differential pinion shaft, which can fracture due to bending fatigue. This component is critical for transferring power from the electric motor to the wheels. A fracture can lead to a sudden loss of drive power while the vehicle is in motion. Furthermore, it could also result in unintended vehicle movement if the SUV is parked without the electronic parking brake engaged, which poses a rollaway risk. Ford has received 82 reports globally related to this problem but is not aware of any crashes or fires resulting from it.
A Pattern of Quality Concerns
These latest actions add to a challenging year for Ford, which has issued more recalls in 2026 than any other automaker. So far this year, the company has initiated 56 separate recalls affecting over 12 million vehicles in the US. This is a difficult backdrop for the company, which recently celebrated a major improvement in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study. Just a week prior to this announcement, Ford recalled over 741,000 trucks and SUVs, including the F-150 and Explorer, for a transmission defect that could allow vehicles to roll away. These repeated, large-scale recalls have put the automaker's quality control processes under intense scrutiny.
What Owners Should Do
Ford will be notifying owners of all affected vehicles by mail. The first letters for both recalls are scheduled to be sent out in mid-July 2026. Owners of affected Mustang and Mustang GTD models will receive a second letter when the parts for the repair are available, which may not be until the first quarter of 2027. For the Mach-E, dealers will inspect the rear differential assembly and either repair it or replace it with a more robust part. For the Mustang and GTD, dealers will inspect the wiper motor and replace it if necessary. All recall-related repairs will be performed free of charge. In the meantime, owners can check if their specific vehicle is included in these or any other recalls by entering their 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the NHTSA's official website or Ford's owner support page. You can also contact Ford's customer service directly for more information.
