Ford is telling 4,653 owners of Bronco Sport crossovers and Maverick pickups to park their vehicles and not drive them after federal safety filings uncovered a serious suspension issue that can cause a sudden loss of control. Dealers will inspect and repair the front lower control arm ball joints at no cost, and Ford says it will notify affected owners by mail. Until then, owners are being urged to check their VINs before turning the key and, if their vehicle is on the list, arrange a tow or mobile service visit instead of driving to the dealership.
Recall details
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant. That kind of mistake can let the control arm separate from the front wheel knuckle, which can quickly lead to a loss of steering control. Because of that risk, NHTSA has slapped a formal "Do Not Drive" advisory on the affected Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles.
Scope and timeline
Ford has labeled the action internal campaign number 26S36, which corresponds to NHTSA campaign 26V340000. The recall covers 4,653 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles across several model years. Ford Authority reports that VINs for these vehicles were added to NHTSA's online recall search tool last Saturday, and Ford expects to begin mailing owner notification letters in early June.
What owners should do
If your vehicle shows up in the recall search, do not drive it. Contact your dealer or Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 to schedule a tow or arrange for a mobile inspection. Dealers will inspect and, if needed, repair the front lower control arm ball joints free of charge. For extra help or questions about the process, you can call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, FOX 10 Phoenix reports.
Why it matters
"Do Not Drive" advisories are saved for the big ones, the safety defects that can turn a short errand into an emergency with little warning. Ford has not publicly linked this suspension problem to any crashes or injuries, but the recall is a reminder of how a seemingly small assembly error can have major on-road consequences. Owners are urged to use NHTSA's recall lookup or Ford's recall page, then follow dealer instructions and get the fix handled as soon as possible, according to AP.
