Ford Recalls Bronco, Ranger and Explorer Over EcoBoost Defect That Can Cut Power

Jun 8, 2026

By Officialwebsite

Ford Recalls Bronco, Ranger and Explorer Over EcoBoost Defect That Can Cut Power

Overview
The Defect
Vehicles Affected
What Owners Should Do
Why It Matters Off-Road
WOLFBOX Analysis: A Stall Off-Road Is a Recovery, Not a Roadside Call
How to Stay Protected Before the Repair
FAQ
Sources

Overview

Ford is recalling roughly 1,536 model-year 2025–2026 Bronco, Ranger and Explorer vehicles equipped with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine over a manufacturing defect that can cause a sudden loss of drive power. The recall (NHTSA campaign 26S35) had VINs become searchable on the NHTSA site on May 28, with owner notification letters scheduled to mail June 15, 2026.

The Defect

The engines may have an improperly installed camshaft roller finger follower that can dislodge from the valve stem. If it fails, the engine can suffer a catastrophic failure and lose drive power while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford says warning signs include a ticking or tapping engine noise, a low-volume engine leak while running, and an illuminated check-engine light.

Vehicles Affected

Models: 2025–2026 Ford Bronco, Ford Ranger and Ford Explorer.
Engine: 2.3-liter I-4 EcoBoost (turbocharged).
Scope: approximately 1,536 vehicles built with affected engine assemblies.

What Owners Should Do

Ford will replace the engine long block free of charge, but the final repair is not expected to be available until around November 30, 2026. In the meantime, owners can check whether their vehicle is included by entering their VIN at the NHTSA recalls site. Ford's customer service line is 1-866-436-7332; the recall reference is 26S35. Drivers noticing engine ticking, leaks or a check-engine light should have the vehicle inspected promptly.

Why It Matters Off-Road

The Bronco and Ranger are core off-road and overlanding platforms, and a sudden power loss is far more dangerous on a remote trail or technical climb than on pavement. Until repairs are available, affected owners heading into the backcountry should travel with a buddy vehicle, carry recovery gear, and avoid solo runs in low-signal areas where a stall could leave them stranded.

WOLFBOX Analysis: A Stall Off-Road Is a Recovery, Not a Roadside Call

Here is the part the recall notice does not spell out. On pavement, a sudden power loss in your Bronco, Ranger or Explorer is a frightening moment and a tow-truck call. Out on an overlanding route — a technical climb, a water crossing, a remote forest road with no signal — the same stall becomes a recovery operation, and potentially a safety emergency. For the off-road and overlanding community that gravitates to these exact platforms, recall 26S35 is not a maintenance footnote; it is a trip-planning factor for the rest of 2026.

The harder problem is the symptom pattern. Ford's own warning signs — a ticking or tapping noise, a faint engine leak, an intermittent check-engine light — are precisely the kind of come-and-go fault that is hard to reproduce in a service bay. Owners who can show the symptom, with time, location and sound, are in a far stronger position with a dealer, with Ford's hotline, and with an NHTSA complaint than owners working from memory.

How Bronco, Ranger and Explorer Owners Can Stay Protected Before the Repair

Until the engine long-block replacement is available (Ford estimates around November 30, 2026), a little preparation closes most of the risk. This is the same off-road kit we run on our own overland rigs:

Document the power-loss event. The hard part of an intermittent fault is proving it. A dash cam running a continuous loop with GPS and a timestamp turns a vague “it lost power somewhere out there” into located, time-stamped evidence for your dealer, your warranty claim and an NHTSA complaint. A WOLFBOX smart rearview mirror camera — or the 3-channel WOLFBOX G900TriPro with front, rear and waterproof bumper views — captures the road and the exact moment drive power drops, tagged with location.
Carry backup power as general trail insurance. To be clear, a jump starter will not fix this defect — a failed long block is a tow, not a restart. But a stall deep in the backcountry is a reminder that an overland rig should never lean on a single source of power; a pocket WOLFBOX jump starter covers the far more common dead-battery scenario on cold nights and long camps.
Travel like the recall is real. Until repaired, follow Ford's guidance and add overlanding common sense: run with a second vehicle, carry recovery gear, and skip solo runs in low-signal areas where a stall could leave you stranded.

FAQ

Which Ford vehicles does recall 26S35 affect?

Approximately 1,536 model-year 2025–2026 Ford Bronco, Ranger and Explorer vehicles built with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine.

What are the warning signs of the EcoBoost defect?

Ford lists a ticking or tapping engine noise, a low-volume engine leak while running, and an illuminated check-engine light. If you notice any of these, have the vehicle inspected promptly and reference recall 26S35.

Is it safe to take an affected Bronco or Ranger off-road before the repair?

The risk is a sudden loss of drive power, which is far more dangerous on a remote trail than on pavement. Until the repair is available, travel with a buddy vehicle, carry recovery gear, avoid solo runs in low-signal areas, and document the vehicle's behavior with a WOLFBOX mirror dash cam in case the fault appears.

How can a dash cam help with a recall or warranty claim?

An intermittent fault is hard to prove. A dash cam with audio and GPS — such as the WOLFBOX G900TriPro — records the ticking noise, the moment power drops and the exact location, giving your dealer, Ford and NHTSA time-stamped evidence rather than a description from memory.

When will Ford fix the defect?

Ford will replace the engine long block free of charge, with the final repair expected to be available around November 30, 2026. Owner notification letters were scheduled to mail June 15, 2026.