The Ford Mustang has long been known for its raw power and occasionally wild behavior, earning a reputation for finding its way into trees, buildings, and even crowds. However, a new development from Ford may have unintentionally made that reputation even more fitting. The automaker has announced a safety recall affecting 1,048 dealer-installed supercharger upgrade kits that could cause the car’s engine to continue revving uncontrollably — even when the driver doesn’t want it to. These kits, developed by Ford Performance and Roush Performance, were designed to deliver enormous power gains, but according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), they could also fail to prevent unintended acceleration in certain situations.
The issue isn’t caused by the Whipple supercharger hardware itself, which functions as intended. Instead, the problem stems from the modified powertrain control module (PCM) software — essentially the car’s electronic brain. This PCM is responsible for managing engine performance and safety features. Ford discovered that the updated software used in the supercharger package inadvertently disabled critical electronic safeguards that would normally prevent uncontrolled throttle behavior. Owners of 2024–2025 S650 Mustangs equipped with these kits may see a check engine light or a wrench icon illuminate on their dashboard. In rare cases, however, the car’s powerful V8 could surge to full throttle unexpectedly, producing up to 810 horsepower without driver input.
While this scenario is extremely unlikely, it could occur if a throttle actuator fault caused the system to stick open. Under normal circumstances, the PCM constantly compares how much throttle input the driver is giving with how much power the engine is actually producing. If there’s a mismatch, it steps in to reduce power and prevent danger. However, the modified PCM software included with these supercharger kits removes that safety layer, leaving the car vulnerable to runaway acceleration. Ford has stated that, so far, there have been no reports of crashes or injuries related to the issue. To resolve the problem, affected owners can take their vehicles to a Ford dealership for a simple PCM reflash, which will restore the necessary safety functions.
The recalled kit is a 50-state legal Ford Performance upgrade designed for the Mustang GT and the track-focused Dark Horse variants. It features a Gen 6 3.0-liter Whipple twin-screw supercharger, a dual-pass intercooler, a 92 mm throttle body, GT500 fuel injectors, and colder spark plugs. Priced at around $10,500, the package transforms the Mustang into a beast, delivering a staggering 834 Nm of torque. When installed by a Ford dealer or certified mechanic, it comes with a three-year or 36,000-mile warranty. While the kit promises thrilling performance, this recall serves as a reminder that even the most powerful cars need precise electronics to keep all that muscle under control.