Ford Recalls Thousands of Mustang, Mustang Mach-E, and Lincoln Nautilus Vehicles Due to Lighting Defect

Ford Motor Company is initiating a safety recall affecting approximately 21,765 of its 2025 model year vehicles, including the Mustang, Mustang Mach-E, and Lincoln Nautilus. The recall is due to a defect in the headlamp assembly’s LED Driver Module (LDM) that can cause various exterior lights to become inoperative. This malfunction may compromise the visibility of the vehicle and make it less visible to other drivers, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

The affected vehicles include 1,539 Lincoln Nautilus models produced between March 9, 2025, and July 24, 2025, and 808 Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles manufactured from May 19, 2025, to July 15, 2025. Additionally, 19,418 Ford Mustang vehicles produced between March 4, 2025, and July 18, 2025, are part of this recall. The issue stems from a potentially faulty Schottky diode within the LDM, which has been identified as the cause of the lighting failures.

When the LDM fails, it can result in the inoperability of the headlamp’s high beam, low beam, position lamp, daytime running lamp, and turn signal. For Lincoln Nautilus models specifically, a failing LDM can also cause the same-side rear tail lamp, rear turn signal, and rear position lamp to malfunction. These inoperative lighting functions are a violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, which governs lamps and associated equipment. Drivers may receive a warning message on the instrument panel indicating an “Advanced Front Lighting Feature Temporarily Unavailable,” and the turn signal indicator may flash rapidly.

Ford has traced the origin of the defect to quality issues with specific diode lots supplied by a third-party manufacturer to the LDM supplier. While Ford is aware of nine plant quality reports and eight warranty claims related to this issue on Nautilus vehicles in China, there are no reported accidents or injuries associated with this condition at this time.

The remedy for this recall involves replacing the affected LDM in the vehicles. For Mustang Mach-E and Lincoln Nautilus owners, dealers will replace the right-hand and/or left-hand side LDM. Mustang owners will have the serial numbers of their LDMs inspected, and replacement will occur if the serial number indicates an affected part. This service will be provided free of charge. Owners can contact Ford or a local Ford or Lincoln dealer to determine if their specific vehicle is included in the recall by providing their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Alternatively, customers can call Ford’s toll-free line at 1-866-436-7332.

Owners will be notified by mail regarding the recall. Interim owner notification letters are expected to be mailed between August 25, 2025, and August 29, 2025. The remedy phase, where owners will be instructed to bring their vehicles in for the repair, is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2025, and continue through December 31, 2025. Information regarding the applicability of the recall to specific vehicles will be searchable by VIN starting August 11, 2025. Ford advises owners to park their affected vehicles outside and not drive them until the recall repair is completed.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Ford Motor Company and NHTSA

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