Ford Informs 105,000 Mustang Owners to Hang Tight Until 2026 for Recall Fix | Carscoops

      The company was reportedly aware of a water leak but concluded their initial investigation without initiating a recall.

      Ford is recalling over 105,000 Mustangs due to potential water leaks and lighting problems.

      The manufacturer acknowledged the issue, confirmed it, but decided to end the initial investigation.

      Currently, there is no repair available, though a solution is anticipated in the first quarter of next year.

      Ford's recall spree continues as the automaker announces the recall of 105,441 Mustangs for water leaks that can affect some exterior lights. This adds to a staggering total of 1,274,247 vehicles recalled in recent days for five different issues, which includes nearly 500,000 SUVs due to brake fluid leaks.

      The latest issue affects the 2024-2025 Mustang, with government reports indicating that “water may enter the body control module and lead to a loss of communication with the exterior lighting.” This can cause the license plate light, side markers, and taillights to malfunction.

      From Headlight Issue to Full Recall

      Ford first detected a problem in April when a development team discovered a Mustang with a headlight malfunction. The company launched an investigation that revealed a rising number of warranty claims regarding “interior/exterior lighting and battery drain issues stemming from water leaks.” The investigation also identified leaks at “multiple locations due to improper application of sealer.”

      Despite the issues with Mustangs getting waterlogged, Ford closed the initial investigation. While this may seem absurd, the company maintained that the vehicles met safety standards and that the incidence of water intrusion was low. They concluded that only a few cars had leaks, leading them to believe that “containment actions” were sufficient.

      This doesn't align with the slogan "quality is job one," but Ford eventually reopened the investigation when it became evident that water intrusion could occur more rapidly than anticipated and could affect compliance with safety standards. This culminated in today’s recall, with the automaker acknowledging 69 warranty claims and 17 field reports concerning the problem.

      The root of the issue was traced to “improperly sealed body seams at the vehicle’s cowl top and lower windshield corner, resulting from inconsistent robotic and manual sealing and skiving operations.” This flaw allows water to penetrate the body structure and subsequently reach the vehicle’s body control module.

      Once water infiltrates this area, it can lead to various problems such as flickering side markers and taillights. Additionally, the lights might stay illuminated after the vehicle is turned off, resulting in battery drainage.

      What Owners Can Expect

      To resolve the issue, dealers will inspect and seal the body seams as needed. Technicians at dealerships will also check the body control module for corrosion and replace it if necessary.

      Owner notifications are planned to be sent out in early September, but no fix is available as of now. Nevertheless, one is expected in the first quarter of 2026, and a follow-up letter will be issued once the remedy is ready.