Ford has issued a large recall for 2020-2023 Mustang models sold in the United States that impacts just shy of 190,000 vehicles. Unfortunately for car show attendees, the recall and the fix won’t have any impact on the tendency of Mustang owners to go crowd-chasing.
Ford’s recall notice reveals that 2020-2023 Mustang models manufactured between February 28, 2019, and April 5, 2023, have a Body Control Module (BCM) that was configured to look for a Controller Area Network (CAN) message from the brake fluid sensor. The only problem is that impacted vehicles already have a brake fluid sensor that is hardwired to the BCM and the improper configuration means the sensor will not activate a visual warning indicator when the brake fluid level dips below the recommended level.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that the risk of a crash increases if customers are not warned about low brake fluid levels.
Ford only became aware of the potential issue on August 28, 2023, when it was noticed by the Ford Customer Service Division in South Korea. The car manufacturer initiated an investigation and determined that the problem is restricted to 2020-2023 model year Mustangs and that it has not been carried through to the new 2024 model. Ford is aware of 123 warranty claims alleging a loss of brake fluid but does not know of any accidents or injuries caused by the fault.
Dealers were alerted to the recall on October 30 while owners will be notified from December 4 via mail. They will be instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealership where the BCM will be reconfigured free of charge. Ford will also reimburse owners who have previously paid to have the issue fixed.
