Ford “Do – Ford has issued a “Do Not Drive” advisory and safety recall covering 4,653 vehicles, including certain 2021–2026 Bronco Sport and 2022–2026 Maverick models, after NHTSA flagged a suspension-related manufacturing defect that may lead to loss of vehicle control.
On Wednesday, Ford’s message to owners was blunt: stop driving. The company issued a critical “Do Not Drive” advisory and safety recall for 4,653 vehicles after a suspension defect tied to the front lower control arm ball joints surfaced as a safety concern.
The recall covers certain model years 2021 through 2026 Bronco Sport vehicles and 2022 through 2026 Maverick vehicles, including 2,296 Bronco Sports and 2,357 Mavericks. The issue centers on a manufacturing defect that may have started at the vehicle assembly plant. where the front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or repaired. according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Ford said the defect “may result in loss of vehicle control while driving. increasing the risk of [a] crash. ” language drawn from the company’s official Safety Recall Report to the NHTSA. Because the risk is tied directly to control while the vehicle is moving. Ford urged owners to stop driving immediately until the vehicles are inspected and any necessary repairs are completed.
Dealers were also pulled into the urgency. NHTSA documents show Ford will absorb the financial burden of resolving the defect. while auto dealers face strict federal compliance measures. Under the federal rules. dealerships are required to immediately halt the demonstration. sale. or delivery of any affected new vehicles in their inventory. Violating that stop-sale requirement could trigger civil penalties of up to $27,168 per vehicle.
Ford moved to limit the fallout for drivers by covering all costs associated with the repairs. and it also set specific reimbursement pathways. Dealerships are authorized to claim up to $250 per vehicle for towing services. Some participating dealers can send dispatched technicians to perform mobile inspections at customers’ locations.
For owners who need parts replaced, Ford is pre-approving the cost of rental vehicles for up to 30 days. NHTSA officials also described a reimbursement plan for customers who may have already paid out of pocket for suspension repairs—eligibility applies as long as the prior repair was performed before June 19. 2026.
The scope of the recall was set after Ford internally approved it on May 19. and the company’s response is tied to the specific vulnerability identified in the manufacturing process. The recall covers a model year 2025 Ford Bronco Sport. along with the Maverick and Bronco Sport model-year ranges outlined in the advisory.
Ford did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ford do not drive advisory Bronco Sport recall Maverick recall suspension defect NHTSA front lower control arm ball joints stop-sale towing reimbursement rental reimbursement
So they can say “do not drive” but still sell them? lol
I don’t get it. If it’s suspension why would it affect control like that? Seems like they should’ve caught that at the plant before it hits the road. Also 4,653 sounds random like a number picked off a calculator.
Wait so Ford is telling people to stop driving like… today? And it’s because the ball joints were “incorrectly installed or repaired”?? That just sounds like a dealership mess up, not Ford. I had a Maverick and mine never did anything, so either they’re fear mongering or it’s only certain cars.
NHTSA flagged it and now it’s “may result in loss of vehicle control” which is basically every recall ever. I swear they always say may, may, may… meanwhile stop-sale penalties like $27k per vehicle? That’s wild. Dealers getting in trouble is whatever but now people are gonna be stuck without their car. I’m just mad they’d let 2026 models be affected, like how does that even happen