- Ford is recalling 1,048 supercharger kits for the 2024-25 Mustang.
- The kit’s updated control module can fail, disabling safety features.
- A worst-case scenario would be runaway acceleration with 810 hp.Â
The Mustang already has a reputation for sniffing out trees, ditches, buildings, people and parked cars, but today we learned an official Blue Oval upgrade package has made that even more likely. And not just because it endowed the pony car with over 800 hp (811 PS).
Also: Mustang GT500 Leaves The Meet And Its Rear End Behind
Ford has just issued an urgent recall for 1,048 dealer-installed supercharger upgrade kits that might allow the engine to keep revving even when you don’t want it to.
According to the NHTSA, the kits in question, which were sold through Ford Performance and Roush Performance, could fail to properly prevent unintended acceleration.
What Went Wrong?
It’s not the Whipple supercharger part of the kit that’s at fault, but the modified performance control unit (PCM), the brain that tells the car’s systems what to do. Ford discovered that the modded PCM software incorrectly disabled some electronic safety features that might come in handy.
The automaker says anyone driving an S650 Mustang from 2024-25 with one of these kits might notice a check engine light or wrench symbol in the gauge cluster. But if they’re really unlucky they could end up with 810 hp (821 PS) of runaway V8.
Could It Run Away?
That really is unlikely, and would only happen if a throttle actuator fault caused the throttle to stick. In normal circumstances the PCM’s safeguards would compare the amount of throttle the driver had asked for with the amount the car is delivering, spot any mismatch and step in to save the day.
But because the upgraded PCM on the supercharged cars disables the safety net, it needs fixed before someone gets hurt. Ford says no crashes or injuries have been reported so far.
Related: The New Driver’s Mustang Ford Built Just To Trigger Every V8 Loyalist
Well, not attributable to this fault, at least. The fix involves a simple PCM re-flash at a Ford dealer.
The 50-state legal Ford Performance kit for the Mustang GT and Dark Horse consists of a Gen 6 3.0-liter Whipple twin-screw supercharger, dual-pass intercooler, 92 mm throttle body, GT500 port fuel injectors and special colder spark plugs.
It costs a hefty $10,500 but is backed by a 3-yr/36-month warranty when fitted by a Ford dealer or accredited pro-wrencher and backs up its massive power output with 615 lb-ft (834 Nm) of torque, enough to remind anyone why the Mustang has never been short on drama.
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