Ford recall 25V828 covers 6 2025-2026 Explorer, Mustang, Maverick, and Corsair vehicles for cylinder-head oil leaks. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 6 2025-2026 Explorer, Mustang, Maverick, and Corsair vehicles because an improperly manufactured cylinder head can let ball plugs fail and leak oil. An oil leak near hot engine or exhaust parts raises fire risk, and loss of oil can seize the engine and cause loss of motive power; the dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The cylinder head assembly on the 2025-2026 Ford Explorer, Mustang, Maverick, and Corsair is the upper section of the engine. It seals the top of the combustion chambers and routes oil through small internal passages so moving parts stay lubricated. Small metal ball plugs close some of those machined passages after the head is built.
On the affected vehicles, the cylinder head assembly was rejected during production because the ball plug installation did not meet the required press force. It was then put back into production without full repair and verification. A loose or missing ball plug can let engine oil escape from the cylinder head, leaving an oil leak at the engine.
Owners can see a low oil pressure warning light in the instrument cluster. Other warning signs include visible oil leakage, a burning smell, white smoke, or noise from the engine compartment.
Who's affected?
The scope crosses Ford and Lincoln nameplates and centers on the same 2.0L/2.3L EcoBoost cylinder head assembly.
| 2026 Ford Explorer | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2026 Ford Mustang | Engine |
| 2025 Ford Maverick | Engine |
| 2026 Lincoln Corsair | Engine |
| Units affected | 6 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
An oil leak near hot engine or exhaust parts increases fire risk. Losing oil can also seize the engine and cut power, increasing crash risk. If the oil pressure light comes on, or you notice leaking oil, a burning smell, white smoke, or engine noise, stop driving and call a dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025-2026 Ford or Lincoln Explorer, Mustang, Maverick, or Corsair is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free cylinder-head assembly replacement for the improperly manufactured cylinder head that can leak oil.
- Reference recall number 25V828 and Ford recall 25SD3 when you call the dealer.
- Avoid driving any included vehicle until the dealer confirms the repair status. An oil leak near hot engine or exhaust parts raises fire risk, and oil loss can lead to engine seizure.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the cylinder head assembly covered by recall 25V828. The repair is available now, and the replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Ford says all affected vehicles are still in dealership inventory, so owner notification letters will not be mailed. Ford uses its standard reimbursement plan for documented out-of-pocket repairs tied to this recall. Bring prior repair paperwork to the service desk so the dealer can explain how Ford handles the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 24, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| November 24, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 24, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 1, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V828?
Recall 25V828 covers 6 2025-2026 Ford Explorer, Mustang, Maverick, and Corsair vehicles with an improperly manufactured cylinder head. The ball plugs can fail and cause an oil leak. Ford dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2025-2026 Ford Explorer, Mustang, Maverick, or Corsair is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 25V828. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and reference Ford recall number 25SD3. The dealer will replace the cylinder head assembly for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk?
An oil leak near an ignition source, including hot engine or exhaust parts, increases fire risk. Loss of oil can also cause engine seizure and loss of motive power, increasing crash risk. Ford's free repair replaces the affected cylinder head assembly.
Will Ford mail owner letters for recall 25V828?
No. Ford says all 6 affected vehicles were still in dealership inventory, so no owner notification letters will be mailed. VINs became searchable on November 24, 2025. If you now own one of these vehicles, check your VIN and call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V828000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V828 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V828000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →