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Ford Engine and Cooling Recalls Involve Leaks and Power Loss
Oil leaks and loss of engine power recur throughout Ford's engine and cooling notices. Certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles with 1.5L engines have oil separator housings that may crack. A separate hybrid notice covers oil and fuel vapor released after engine failure in 2020-2022 Escape, 2022 Maverick, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. Two cup plug notices cover certain F-150, Expedition, and Navigator vehicles, with model years differing by notice. Explorer appears repeatedly, including a damaged turbocharger oil supply line on certain 2023 vehicles and connecting rod defects on certain 2025 vehicles. Other notices concern Transit Connect cooling software, Focus/EcoSport oil pump belts, intake valves, and EGR valves.
Warning signs to watch for
- July 2022 Escape/Maverick/Corsair recall: unexpected engine noises, reduced vehicle power, or smoke.
- August 2023 Explorer turbo oil line recall: an oil pressure warning light or smoke from the engine compartment.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of the supplied engine and cooling notices instructs owners to park outside or imposes a blanket stop-driving instruction. The July 2022 Escape/Maverick/Corsair notice tells owners to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible for unexpected engine noises, reduced vehicle power, or smoke. The August 2023 Explorer turbo oil line notice tells owners to park and shut off as soon as possible for an oil pressure warning light or engine compartment smoke. The remaining notices do not tell owners to stop driving.
What the free repair involves
Specified free remedies vary: the Transit Connect notice requires a PCM software update; the March 2022 Escape/Bronco Sport notice requires oil separator inspection and replacement as necessary. The August 2023 Explorer notice replaces the turbo oil supply line. Both cup plug notices require alignment inspection and plug replacement if necessary. Recall 26S10 replaces EGR valves, free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 8 |
| high | 6 |
Models affected most
Where owners report engine and engine cooling problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under engine and engine cooling for the Ford models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Engine and engine cooling complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Ford Ecosport | 666 |
| 2019 Ford Ecosport | 408 |
| 2018 Ford Focus | 354 |
| 2020 Ford Ecosport | 346 |
| 2021 Ford Ecosport | 219 |
| 2021 Ford Bronco Sport | 145 |
| 2020 Ford Escape | 120 |
| 2022 Ford Bronco Sport | 78 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 25, 2026 | Ford Bronco Sport Engine Pistons May Fail | high |
| May 27, 2026 | Ford Explorer Engine May Fail Suddenly | high |
| Mar 3, 2026 | Ford Explorer, Mustang, Nautilus EGR Valve Failure | high |
| Jun 13, 2025 | Ford Explorer Engine May Fail And Stall | high |
| Mar 28, 2025 | Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator Engine Oil Leak Risk | critical |
| Dec 20, 2024 | Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator Oil Leak Risk | critical |
| Aug 23, 2024 | Ford Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator Engine Valve Failure | high |
| Dec 22, 2023 | Ford Focus, EcoSport Oil Pump Belt May Fail | high |
| Aug 25, 2023 | Ford Explorer Turbo Oil Leak Fire Risk | critical |
| Jul 7, 2022 | Ford Escape, Maverick, Lincoln Corsair engine fire risk | critical |
| Mar 25, 2022 | Ford Escape, Bronco Sport Engine Oil May Leak | critical |
| Feb 24, 2022 | Ford Escape Hybrid Engine Crankshaft Manufacturing Defect | critical |
| Oct 15, 2020 | Ford Transit Connect Software Delays Engine Cooling Response | critical |
| May 24, 2018 | Ford Mustang Roush Supercharger Fuel Leak Risk | critical |
Common questions
What does the Focus and EcoSport oil pump recall repair?
The December 2023 notice covers certain 2016-2018 Focus and 2018-2022 EcoSport vehicles. Dealers replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt free of charge. The defect can cause loss of oil pressure, engine stall, and reduced power braking assist.
Which Explorer warning signs come with instructions to shut off the engine?
The August 2023 notice for certain 2023 Explorer vehicles with 2.3L GTDI engines names an oil pressure warning light and engine compartment smoke. Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as soon as possible if either appears.
Do the engine cup plug recalls require replacing the engine?
The December 2024 and March 2025 notices specify inspecting engine cup plug alignment and replacing the plug if necessary, free of charge. They describe a misaligned plug that can cause a rapid oil leak, engine stall, and fire risk.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.