Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Ford has announced its 64th recall of the year, leading all automakers. The latest one involves the 2026 Ford Explorer, one of the best-selling SUVs in America. What's striking about the recall is not only the seriousness of it—several vehicles have experienced engine failure linked to connecting rod bearings—but also how quickly the issue was identified by Ford before it spread to a larger number of vehicles. The automaker traced the issue down to a few vehicles produced within an exceptionally short time frame. Here's everything we know.Ford Explorer Rod Bearing FailureFord Explorer chassis and 2.3L EcoBoost engineFordThe new Ford Explorer recall affects only six examples of the SUV equipped with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder turbocharged engine. This is the SUV's standard engine and it makes 300 horsepower/310 lb-ft of torque.AdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to the recall report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the connecting rod bearings on these engines may seize, resulting in engine failure, a loss of motive power, and a knocking noise prior to the engine failing. A possible engine block breach could also increase the risk of a fire. According to the report, 10 engines have been replaced and Ford is aware of 11 warranty claims, as of August 11, 2026. The first warranty claim was received on March 26, 2026.How Ford Traced The Issue2026 Ford Explorer Tremor 4WDCole AttishaLast year, Ford CEO Jim Farley said the automaker's powertrain durability was now competitive with Toyota's. He also promised to deal with problems as quickly as possible, should they occur, and that's exactly what's been done with the new Explorer recall.On July 23, 2026, Ford's Internal Combustion Engines Propulsion Thermal Systems Engineering (IPTSE) Quality team informed the company's Automotive Safety Office (ASO) of 10 replaced Explorer engines that exhibited signs of a seized #2 connecting rod bearing. An investigation was opened later in July, and it was found that all 10 replaced engines were produced in a specific time window.AdvertisementAdvertisement"The investigation team determined that the 10 replaced engines were produced with crankshafts built at Dearborn Engine Plant within the same ~30-minute time window after a polishing shoe used in the production process was replaced," states the recall report. "Plant process data shows a shift in the mean for certain Crank Pin #2 measurements for crankshafts produced within this time window. Root cause of the mean-shift has not been determined to date."This led to the recall being submitted on August 13, 2026.Fortunately, the recall is limited to just six examples of the Explorer. Considering that Ford sold 126,925 units of this SUV in the first half of 2026 alone, that number could have been much higher. Hopefully, the recall does not expand and remains confined to SUVs produced in the mentioned 30-minute window.Related: Owners Without Defective EcoBoost Engines Sued Ford AnywayWhat Owners Should Do Now2026 Ford Explorer Tremor 4WDCole AttishaWhile the recall is small, it's still a serious engine defect and potentially dangerous if the vehicle loses power at higher speeds. Owners of affected models should listen for any knocking noises, which could indicate that engine failure is possible.AdvertisementAdvertisementFord will contact owners this month, with notification letters expected to be sent out by August 26. Customers with 2026 Explorers can also call the automaker's customer service at 1-866-436-7332 for more information. Alternatively, they can run a search on the NHTSA site using their VINs to see if their vehicle is involved in the recall.Ford will replace the engine long block on affected models at no charge to the customer.Ford's family of EcoBoost engines does not have an impeccable reliability record, with multiple wet-belt failures on older 1.0-liter three-cylinder units and coolant leaks on some 1.5L/2.0L engines. The 2.3L mill in the Explorer appears to be quite solid, and this latest recall is small enough not to warrant widespread concerns about its reliability.Related: Well-Maintained Ford EcoBoost V6 Engine Failed at 110K Miles—What Went Wrong?AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.