Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Ford Motor Company recently issued an urgent "Do Not Drive" warning to owners of approximately 4,653 2021-2026 Ford Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles.
This serious warning comes after a potential issue with the vehicles' front suspension system was discovered that could compromise driver safety.
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This recall specifically targets approximately 2,296 Ford Bronco Sport and 2,357 Ford Maverick vehicles manufactured before June 1, 2025.
The primary issue is a front lower control arm ball joint that is suspected to have been improperly installed or improperly repaired during assembly at the factory.
This condition can potentially cause the ball joint to detach, threatening vehicle stability while driving.
As a result of this manufacturing defect, drivers are at high risk of losing steering control if the ball joint detaches while the vehicle is in motion.
"Do Not Drive" Warning for Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick
This critical issue in the Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick centers on the front lower control arm ball joints.
According to a recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), some of these SUVs and compact trucks may have improperly assembled front lower control arm ball joints, while others may have been improperly repaired at the factory.
Ford says the issue can cause the ball stud to partially engage with the knuckle, which can cause the front lower control arm ball joint to disengage from the knuckle and possibly cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
This recall covers 2021-2026 Ford Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Ford Maverick vehicles, specifically those manufactured before June 1, 2025.
Potential Hazards and Ford's Recommended Action
The most serious consequence of this ball joint issue is a sudden loss of steering control while the vehicle is moving.
This directly increases the risk of a serious crash for the driver, passengers, and other road users.
Ford's official Safety Recall Report to the NHTSA clearly states that this manufacturing defect "can result in loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of a crash."
In response to this danger, Ford has issued a strong recommendation that owners immediately stop driving affected vehicles.
Ford is providing free towing services to dealers for inspection and necessary repairs.
Some dealers may even offer mobile inspections at the customer's location for convenience.
Dealers will visually inspect the front lower control arm ball joint assemblies on both sides of the vehicle and perform repairs at no cost.
If replacement parts are necessary, Ford will cover the cost of a rental vehicle for up to 30 days.
Ford also has a reimbursement plan for owners who have spent money on suspension repairs before June 19, 2026.
Important Steps for Ford Bronco Owners
To ensure safety and avoid potential hazards, it is crucial for Ford Bronco owners to be proactive in checking the status of their vehicles.
Ford has provided an easy way for owners to verify whether their vehicles are covered by this recall.
Owners can enter their 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on Ford's official website (ford.com/support/recalls) or the NHTSA online portal.
Official owner notification letters regarding this "Do Not Drive" warning are expected to be mailed between June 1 and 5, 2026.
In the meantime, dealers are required to immediately stop demonstrations, sales, or deliveries of affected new vehicles in their inventory, with potential civil penalties of up to $27,168 per vehicle for violations.
Owners should also note Ford recall number 26S36 and NHTSA ID 26V340000 for reference.