Ford Issues Do-Not-Drive Advisory for Certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport; Owners Urged to Contact Dealerships Immediately (June 1, 2026)

[Administrator]

Press Release:

Ford Issues Do-Not-Drive Advisory for Certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and Maverick Vehicles; Owners Urged to Contact Dealerships Immediately

June 1, 2026

Ford Motor Company is advising owners of approximately 4,653 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles from the 2021 to 2026 model years in the United States and Federal Territories to stop driving their vehicles immediately. This "Do Not Drive" advisory is due to a potential suspension assembly concern.

Ford is working closely with dealers to provide customers with complimentary towing of their vehicles for inspection and repair as needed. Customers will also be provided the option to have their vehicle inspected by dealership personnel at the customer’s location via mobile service where applicable.

On affected vehicles, the front lower control arm ball joints of the vehicle’s suspension system may not have been assembled correctly. If a joint fails while the vehicle is moving, the driver could lose steering control increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will visually inspect the front lower control arm ball joint assembly on both the left and right sides, and repair, as necessary at no cost to the customer.

Customers can determine if their vehicle is included in this recall (26S36) by entering their 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) at www.ford.com/support/recalls. Owners may also contact Ford’s Customer Service Center at 1-833-807-3673 for assistance in arranging a tow and repair.

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[jkernitzki]

Looks like I dodged this one.

 

[Dude]

Odds are good … just 4,653 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles affected by the 26S36 recall … between 2021 and 2026, Ford produced approximately 1.1 million Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles combined

 

[thewolfpup]

I have a 2023 sport outer banks, looked up my vin number and mine is not included.

 

[dockiwi57]

Looks like I dodged this one.

Me too, but this is early. I'll be visiting the Ford and NHTSA recall sites often. Odds look favorable given the numbers, but considering the stakes (e.g., losing steering control at 80mph on the Interstate), they've got my attention.

" . . . lower control arm ball joints of the vehicle’s suspension system may not have been assembled correctly . . . ".

Arghh.

I think I will wait a few days to contact the dealer (unless my VIN pops) as I have to wonder if they even know what to look for on inspection.

 

[JPtapt]

Clear here too.

 

[thewolfpup]

If the ball joints are not assembled correctly they would make a clunking noise and you would feel it in your steering

 

[kenmitch]

If the ball joints are not assembled correctly they would make a clunking noise and you would feel it in your steering

That would really depend on what the not assemble correctly is referring too in the end. It could be something like a marginally crimped housing that keeps the ball socket in that mostly holds, but has the potential to give way under certain circumstances.

 

[TheX]

If the ball joints are not assembled correctly they would make a clunking noise and you would feel it in your steering

^^This^^

 

[rocks]

Looks like I dodged this one.

Ditto!

 

[Summers22]

Exactly. Is the ball-joint itself a issue, or is it not attached properly in the lower control arm? Bad castle nut? Missing cotter pin? Missing dust seal? So much to unravel here. I may inspect mine tomorrow since I am changing the oil/filter on it after work.

 

[TheX]

This is so odd. <5k BS's affected, over 6 total years. That pattern makes no logical sense.

 

[jkernitzki]

This is so odd. <5k BS's affected, over 6 total years. That pattern makes no logical sense.

Agreed. Neither parts nor assembly could account for such a small number over that length of time. Unless...

It coincides with every time the factory suspension lead Guillermo's wife was out of town visiting mama and her cousin came by to make sure he was being taken care of in her absence.

 

[TrueNorthSport]

Press Release:

Ford Issues Do-Not-Drive Advisory for Certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and Maverick Vehicles; Owners Urged to Contact Dealerships Immediately

June 1, 2026

Ford Motor Company is advising owners of approximately 4,653 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles from the 2021 to 2026 model years in the United States and Federal Territories to stop driving their vehicles immediately. This "Do Not Drive" advisory is due to a potential suspension assembly concern.

Ford is working closely with dealers to provide customers with complimentary towing of their vehicles for inspection and repair as needed. Customers will also be provided the option to have their vehicle inspected by dealership personnel at the customer’s location via mobile service where applicable.

On affected vehicles, the front lower control arm ball joints of the vehicle’s suspension system may not have been assembled correctly. If a joint fails while the vehicle is moving, the driver could lose steering control increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will visually inspect the front lower control arm ball joint assembly on both the left and right sides, and repair, as necessary at no cost to the customer.

Customers can determine if their vehicle is included in this recall (26S36) by entering their 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) at www.ford.com/support/recalls. Owners may also contact Ford’s Customer Service Center at 1-833-807-3673 for assistance in arranging a tow and repair.

What about BSs outside of the "United States and Federal Territories" ?

I thought all of these vehicles were built at the same factory in Mexico ?

 

[Ernest T]

I suspect territories outside US jurisdictions have their own rules governing what the US calls recalls. They wouldn’t be on the US recall list.

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