Thousands of Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles have been placed under a do-not-drive advisory after the automaker identified a potential suspension defect that could affect vehicle control. The recall covers certain model years built between 2021 and 2026.
Ford says the issue involves front lower control arm ball joints that may have been installed incorrectly during vehicle assembly. The company is urging affected owners to stop driving their vehicles until inspections and any required repairs have been completed.
The recall affects 4,653 vehicles in total, including 2,296 Bronco Sport models and 2,357 Maverick pickups. According to Ford’s safety recall report submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the defect may increase the risk of a crash if the ball joint fails while the vehicle is being driven.
The advisory represents one of the more serious types of recalls issued by an automaker, as owners are being instructed not to operate their vehicles until the issue has been addressed.
Ball Joint Installation Issue Prompts Immediate Action
According to NHTSA documents, Ford internally approved the recall on May 19 after identifying a potential manufacturing problem at the assembly plant. The concern centers on front lower control arm ball joints that may have beenincorrectly installed or repaired during production.
Ford stated in its report to federal regulators that the defect “*may result in loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of [a] crash*.” As a result, the company is advising owners to arrange service immediately rather than continue using the affected vehicles.
According to reports, the recall is being conducted under Ford recall number 26S36. The publication reported that some vehicles may have had their front lower ball joints installed incorrectly, creating the possibility of joint failure.
Ford has instructed owners to contact dealerships to schedule repairs and have their vehicles transported for inspection. The automaker is providing towing services at no cost. If towing cannot be arranged, Ford said mobile service technicians may be dispatched to inspect vehicles at the owner’s location.
Technicians will inspect the lower ball joint assemblies on both sides of the front suspension. If either side is found to be out of compliance, repairs will be performed under the recall program.
Ford Covers Repair, Towing, and Rental Vehicle Costs
According to NHTSA, Ford will absorb all costs associated with resolving the defect. Dealerships have also been instructed to immediately stop the sale, demonstration, or delivery of any affected vehicles remaining in inventory.
Federal documents note that dealers who fail to comply with the stop-sale order could face civil penalties of up to $27,168 per vehicle. To support the recall process, dealerships are authorized to claim up to $250 per vehicle for towing expenses.
Ford is also offering additional assistance to affected customers. If repairs require replacement parts and extended service time, the company is pre-approving rental vehicle coverage for up to 30 days, according to NHTSA.
Owners who previously paid out of pocket to address the suspension issue may also qualify for reimbursement. Federal regulators said customers are eligible for refunds if the repair was completed before June 19, 2026.
