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Ford Bronco owners are taking the road less traveled, as nearly 5,000 units have been recalled for serious safety issues.
The rugged SUV is facing a big bump in the road, with the automaker advising owners of select 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles may have incorrectly installed safety precautions and could increase the risk of a crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The explicit “do not drive” warning states that the front lower control-arm ball joints — a crucial part of the build that serves as a pivotal hinge between the vehicle’s wheels and its suspension, allowing for swiveling while steering — may have been incorrectly installed or repaired at the vehicle assembly plant.
The alarming risk of a faulty installation is that the control arm could disconnect from the front wheel knuckle.
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed and are offered a free inspection and repair of any compromised parts.
Those impacted are expected to receive notice by mail no later than Friday, June 5, and to contact Ford customer service to schedule tune-ups. The 4,653 recalled vehicles represent a small portion of the Maverick and Bronco Sport populations, suggesting that Ford has identified a specific fault on an assembly line that is unlikely to affect additional models.
Dealerships are also advised not to drive, demonstrate or deliver any in-stock vehicles that are involved in the recall and are asked to perform a “visual and tactile inspection on affected vehicles” to verify the proper assembly of the parts.
Originally designed to conquer any terrain, the Ford Bronco has cemented its legacy as one of the most iconic vehicles in American automotive history. It evolved from a rugged 1960s compact off-roader to a cultural touchstone with several body remakes over the decades.
The SUV gained unparalleled cultural significance during O.J. Simpson’s infamous 1994 slow-speed chase in a 1993 white Bronco and has remained one of the most recognizable SUVs to date.
The Bronco recall falls in line with the motor company’s record for holding the most recalls of any automotive brand in 2025, according to a recent study.
In the past 12 months, Ford recalled 19.6 million vehicles, more than the rest of the auto industry combined. The company-wide trend is reflected in high lifetime recall projections for Ford and its luxury brand, Lincoln.
According to automotive journalist John McElroy, recalls are a global issue, and Ford is hardly the only company affected. Recalls come with high costs to fix warranties, another issue that plagues manufacturers.
“Last year, 13 of the top automakers in the world paid out more than $57 billion to cover warranty costs and recalls; that’s compared to $35 billion a decade ago; it’s a 63% increase,” McElroy said in a recent podcast.
Still, some Ford die-hards who have lived through recalls say it usually is an attempt to err on the side of caution compared to other brands.
“The typical Ford recall I’ve had is ‘Hey, we found a potential issue with your backup camera we want to change it to prevent this potential,’” said one Ford enthusiast on Reddit. Meanwhile my Honda recall was “YOU HAVE CLAYMORE MINES IN YOUR DASHBOARD FOR THE LOVE OF GOD COME GET IT FIXED YOU WILL DIE IF YOU DON’T.”
Others felt similarly and believed the recalls were unfairly framed.
“They’ve always had a lot of recalls, but somehow I always get lucky with quality vehicles from them. Maybe it’s because they actually realize problems and try to fix them,” wrote another.
But while the Bronco might have been built to go anywhere, for now, the safest place for some of them may be the driveway.
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