If your Ford has an EcoBoost engine, there’s a decent chance it’s part of an active recall — and you might not even know it. From cracked fuel injectors to shattered intake valves, the issues are real, they’re serious, and some of them can start a fire. Here’s everything broken down so you know exactly where you stand.
What Is the Ford EcoBoost Engine Recall?
The term “Ford EcoBoost engine recall” doesn’t refer to one single fix. It’s an umbrella for dozens of federal safety campaigns spanning multiple engine sizes, model years, and failure types. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been deeply involved, and the recalls keep coming — right through 2026.
Ford built the EcoBoost platform to squeeze big power from small, turbocharged engines. The tradeoff? Higher heat, higher pressure, and more things that can go wrong. Let’s dig into the biggest ones.
The Intake Valve Recall (2.7L and 3.0L EcoBoost): Recall 24S55
This one is arguably the most alarming Ford EcoBoost engine recall in recent history.
In August 2024, Ford finalized Recall 24S55 (NHTSA ID: 24V635000) for its 2.7L and 3.0L “Nano” V6 engines. The problem? The intake valves can fracture and fall directly into the combustion chamber. When that happens, it destroys the piston, cylinder walls, and cylinder head — all at once. The engine dies, often without warning, which is a serious crash risk.
The root cause traces back to a supplier called Eaton Corp, where the valve grinding process drifted outside its control specifications. The result was metal that was too brittle to handle the heat and vibration of a turbocharged engine.
Which Vehicles Does Recall 24S55 Cover?
| Model | Model Years | Engine | Units Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 | 2021–2022 | 2.7L EcoBoost | 47,719 |
| Ford Bronco | 2021–2022 | 2.7L EcoBoost | 15,835 |
| Ford Explorer | 2021–2022 | 3.0L EcoBoost | 14,262 |
| Lincoln Aviator | 2021–2022 | 3.0L EcoBoost | 7,199 |
| Lincoln Nautilus | 2021–2022 | 2.7L EcoBoost | 3,355 |
| Ford Edge | 2021–2022 | 2.7L EcoBoost | 2,366 |
Over 90,700 vehicles are affected in total.
What’s the Fix?
Dealers run a high-RPM cycle test to stress the valvetrain intentionally. If the engine fails the test, Ford replaces the entire engine at no cost. Beyond that, Ford launched Customer Satisfaction Program 24N12, which extends the engine warranty to 10 years or 150,000 miles. That’s a significant commitment — and a sign Ford knows this issue runs deep.
The 1.0L EcoBoost Oil Pump Recall: Recall 23S64
The 1.0L three-cylinder EcoBoost uses a “wet belt” system — the drive belts run submerged in engine oil. On paper, it’s clever. In practice, it’s caused serious headaches.
Recall 23S64 targets the oil pump drive belt tensioner arm, which can crack and separate. When the belt degrades, it sheds rubber particles that clog the oil pickup. Oil pressure drops. The engine can stall. And here’s the kicker — the 1.0L engine uses engine-driven vacuum to power the brake booster. No oil pressure means no vacuum, which means the brake pedal suddenly goes stiff and stopping distances spike.
Vehicles Covered Under Recall 23S64
| Model | Production Range | Units Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Ford EcoSport | April 2017 – October 2021 | 113,689 |
| Ford Focus | March 2015 – May 2018 | 26,041 |
That’s roughly 139,730 vehicles total.
If your vehicle’s belt has already failed, Ford authorizes dealers to replace the entire engine assembly. The final redesigned parts arrived in early 2025. Ford did partially address this by switching to a timing chain on the revised 1.0L “Dragon” engine in 2018, though the oil pump still runs on a wetted belt.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Unusual whirring or grinding from the front of the engine
- Rubber fragments in your oil during a change
- A hard, stiff brake pedal — treat this as an emergency
Coolant Intrusion: The Most Widespread EcoBoost Problem
If you own a Ford with a 1.5L, 1.6L, or 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder from the 2013–2019 era, this section is for you. Coolant intrusion is the most widespread and hotly litigated issue in the entire Ford EcoBoost engine recall story.
The defect comes down to cooling passage design. Coolant can breach the head gasket and seep into the cylinders, especially after the engine shuts down and cools. On startup, liquid in the combustion chamber causes misfires. Your car throws codes like P0302 and P0316, runs rough, and loses power.
Worse, if enough coolant enters the cylinder, the engine can hydraulically lock — bending connecting rods or cracking the block. And chronic coolant loss causes overheating that can crack the cylinder head or, in extreme cases, trigger an underhood fire.
Ford’s Response — and Why It’s Controversial
Ford issued a formal recall for certain 1.6L engines under campaigns 12V551 and 17V209. But for the 1.5L and 2.0L variants, Ford largely leaned on Customer Satisfaction Programs and Technical Service Bulletins instead of mandatory safety recalls.
Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 offers a one-time engine repair or replacement for 1.5L engines — but it’s capped by age and mileage, cutting off many second-hand vehicle owners entirely. Class action plaintiffs argue these fixes are “band-aids” that don’t address the underlying design flaw. That litigation is ongoing.
Symptoms to watch for:
- Coolant level dropping with no visible external leak
- White, sweet-smelling exhaust smoke
- Misfires on startup (especially in cylinders 2 and 3)
- A sloshing sound from the heater core during acceleration
The Fire Risk Recall: 1.5L Fuel Injectors in Bronco Sport and Escape
This Ford EcoBoost engine recall is one of the largest and most serious in recent years.
Recall 25S76 covers approximately 858,000 vehicles — the 2021–2024 Ford Bronco Sport and the 2020–2022 Ford Escape. The problem: the 1.5L fuel injectors can crack under normal operating conditions. High-pressure fuel and vapor then leak near the turbocharger and exhaust — and that’s enough to start a fire.
What makes this recall especially troubling is its history. An earlier campaign (22S73) issued software updates and drain tubes as fixes. But fires kept happening even after those repairs. Ford eventually acknowledged that hardware replacement — new injectors — was the only real solution. As of mid-2025, that hardware fix was still being finalized. In the interim, software updates detect pressure drops and derate engine power to reduce fire risk.
If you own one of these vehicles, don’t wait. Check your recall status now at Ford’s recall portal.
The 2.3L EcoBoost and Active Litigation
The 2.3L EcoBoost powers the Mustang, Ranger, Explorer, and Bronco — and it’s now the center of a federal class action lawsuit: Nelson, et al. v. Ford Motor Company (Case No. 2:24-cv-02231).
The complaint mirrors the coolant intrusion playbook — owners allege the 2.3L engine suffers the same internal leakage defect, leading to oil dilution, corrosion, overheating, and eventual engine failure. The lawsuit covers 2015–2024 models and claims Ford knew about the defect but didn’t disclose it. This case covers a wide range of vehicles:
- Ford Mustang (2015–2024)
- Ford Ranger (2019–2024)
- Ford Explorer (2016–2024)
- Ford Bronco (2021–2024)
- Lincoln MKC / Corsair (2015–2022)
If your vehicle falls into this group and you’ve had repeated engine repairs, it’s worth speaking with a consumer protection attorney. California owners in particular may qualify for a buyback under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act — commonly called Lemon Law — if the engine has needed multiple major repairs or spent more than 30 cumulative days in the shop.
The 2026 EGR Valve Recall (26V122)
Even newer vehicles aren’t in the clear. In March 2026, NHTSA issued Recall 26V122, affecting more than 83,000 vehicles including the Ranger, Explorer, and Bronco Sport. The issue involves the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve — specifically, a small “poppet head” inside the valve that can detach due to faulty laser welding.
When it separates, exhaust gases flood the intake manifold. The engine loses power suddenly, vibrates, and can stall. This is yet another supplier quality control failure adding to the Ford EcoBoost engine recall history.
Quick Reference: Major Ford EcoBoost Engine Recalls (2020–2026)
| Recall | NHTSA ID | Engine | Main Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24S55 | 24V635000 | 2.7L, 3.0L V6 | Catastrophic engine failure |
| 23S64 | 24V001000 | 1.0L I3 | Loss of brake assist |
| 25S76 | 25V467000 | 1.5L I4 | Underhood fire |
| 22S73 | 22V859000 | 1.5L, 2.0L I4 | Underhood fire |
| 24S70 | 24V851000 | 3.5L V6 | Oil leak and fire risk |
| 26S10 | 26V122000 | Multiple | Sudden power loss |
How to Check If Your Ford Is Under Recall Right Now
Don’t guess. Here’s exactly what to do:
- Go to NHTSA’s official recall search and enter your 17-digit VIN
- Check Ford’s own recall portal at ford.com/support/recalls-details
- Call your dealership — they can look up open campaigns by VIN in under two minutes
- If you’ve already had repairs that didn’t hold, document everything — repair orders, dates, symptoms — before contacting a lemon law attorney
All safety recall repairs are free of charge. Ford cannot charge you for work done under an active NHTSA safety campaign. If a dealer tries to bill you for a recall repair, push back immediately.
The Bigger Picture: What This Means for EcoBoost Owners
Ford issued more recalls than any other automaker in 2024 and 2025. That’s not a small footnote — it reflects genuine engineering and supplier quality challenges that have unfolded over more than a decade of EcoBoost production.
The good news? Ford has stepped up on remedies. The 10-year/150,000-mile warranty extension from Program 24N12 is meaningful protection. The shift from software patches toward actual hardware fixes — like the full injector replacement in Recall 25S76 — shows that Ford is at least moving in the right direction.
But the burden shouldn’t fall entirely on owners to stay informed. Check your VIN regularly, keep your service records organized, and don’t ignore warning lights or unusual engine behavior. That misfire on startup or that faint sweet smell from the exhaust might be your first — and only — warning before something much more expensive happens.
