Ford Mustang Wiring Harness Recall (26C40): Loss of Drive Power and Your California Lemon Law Rights

Recall 26V547000 (Ford reference 26C40) covers 148,663 model-year 2024 through 2026 Ford Mustang coupes and convertibles whose engine-compartment wiring harness ground connections may fracture. NHTSA records the possible results as a loss of drive power, or a loss of function in the windshield washing system, headlights, air conditioning or engine cooling fan. The campaign cites two federal standards — FMVSS 108 (lighting) and FMVSS 104 (windshield wiping and washing). It does not include the Mustang Mach-E.

What the recall covers

Ford reported recall 26V547000 on August 25, 2026, covering 148,663 Mustangs from model years 2024, 2025 and 2026 — the current S650 generation. It is separate from other 2026 Mustang campaigns, including a windshield wiper recall and a Mach-E campaign. The Mustang Mach-E is not included.

What actually goes wrong

Every electrical circuit needs a ground — a return path to the vehicle's body. On the affected Mustangs, the ground connections for the engine-compartment wiring harness may fracture. A broken ground can take down several systems at once, which is why NHTSA lists such a wide range of outcomes: a loss of drive power, headlights, the windshield washing system, air conditioning, or the engine cooling fan. Loss of drive power while moving is the most serious of these, and a failed cooling fan can lead to overheating.

A repair that is months away

The detail owners should notice is the timeline. Ford's filing says the remedy is anticipated in March 2027. For about six months after the interim letters, owners are driving a car under recall with no fix available. That matters in two ways: safety, because a known loss-of-power risk remains, and legal, because it affects how long a vehicle with a recurring electrical fault can remain in limbo.

What the fix is

Dealers will replace the engine-compartment wiring harness ground terminals, free of charge, once parts are ready. Until then, the best thing an owner can do is document. If the Mustang has already lost power, flickered its lights, or overheated, report it to the dealer in writing and keep the repair order — even if the dealer says there is nothing to do but wait.

Does this make a Mustang a lemon?

This is one of the better recall fact patterns for a lemon law claim among the ones on this list. The vehicles are new and in warranty; the defect can cause a loss of drive power, a serious-safety condition that triggers the shorter two-attempt standard; and the manufacturer has admitted the defect but has no fix for months. An owner whose Mustang has actually lost power, stalled, or shown electrical symptoms — and has repair visits to prove it — is in a strong position. An owner with no symptoms is more likely to be just waiting for a recall repair.

How a California buyback works

Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a vehicle may qualify as a lemon if it has a warranty-covered defect that substantially impairs its use, value or safety and Ford Motor Company or its authorized dealers cannot repair it after a reasonable number of attempts — or if it has been out of service for warranty repairs for more than 30 cumulative days. A defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven is held to a shorter standard: at least two repair attempts rather than four. If a claim succeeds, the manufacturer pays your attorney fees, so a consultation costs nothing out of pocket. Time limits apply and they depend on the vehicle and the manufacturer, so it is worth asking early rather than late.

Beyond the recall: Is my Mustang a lemon?

Mustang owners also raise concerns about transmission behavior, infotainment failures, driver-assist and warning-light issues and electrical gremlins. A vehicle that has been in for the same unresolved electrical fault is a candidate. Keep every repair order and note the number of days out of service.

What to do next

Check your VIN, complete the free repair, and keep every document. If the problem comes back, or your Ford has other defects that keep returning to the shop, Mousavi Law Firm can review it at no cost — call 844-MOUSAVI.