The Jay Malone Motors service team at our Hutchinson, Minnesota dealership
Published: August 28, 2026  ·  Last updated: August 28, 2026

Quick Answer: Ford has issued advance notice recall 26S60 for certain 2026 model year Bronco Sport, F-150, Mach-E, and Maverick vehicles. Various fasteners throughout the vehicle may not have been properly torqued during assembly, creating risks that range from part detachment to degraded crash performance depending on which fastener is affected. This is an advance notice — the official remedy and dealer repair instructions are expected by October 5, 2026. Your vehicle is not under a do-not-drive advisory, but if you notice anything loose, rattling, or unusual, call us at (320) 587-4748 immediately.

Who’s Affected by This Recall

This recall covers certain 2026 model year vehicles across four Ford model lines:

  • 2026 Ford Bronco Sport
  • 2026 Ford F-150
  • 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E
  • 2026 Ford Maverick

Because this is an advance notice, Ford has not yet published the complete unit count or the NHTSA campaign number. We will update this page with both as soon as they become available. In the meantime, you can check your specific VIN at ford.com/support/recalls or nhtsa.gov/recalls as the recall populates those databases.

Ford will mail first-class notification letters to owners of record within sixty days. Those letters may arrive before the remedy is available — so if you receive one, don’t be alarmed that the fix isn’t ready yet. It means Ford has identified your VIN and you’re in the queue.

What’s Wrong — And Why This Recall Is Unusual

This is not a single-component recall. Ford has identified that certain fasteners — bolts and joints that secure various parts to the vehicle — may not have been properly torqued during assembly at the factory. The affected fasteners vary by model, and the safety risk depends on which specific component the fastener secures.

Ford has categorized the risks into five distinct areas. Here’s what each means in plain terms:

Risk Category 1: Part Detachment

If the affected fastener secures external components — such as the F-150 grille or center high-mount brake lamp, the Maverick air deflector, or the Bronco Sport rear wiper arm, washer fluid bottle, fuel tank shield, engine cover, or speaker assembly — the component could detach from the vehicle while driving.

Risk Category 2: Unsecured Cargo

If the affected fastener secures the Maverick luggage rack tie-down or the Bronco Sport liftgate handle, the joint could fail and allow cargo to become unsecured and fall into the roadway.

Risk Category 3: Degraded Crash Performance

If the affected fastener secures a crash-critical component — such as an F-150 seat, Maverick door latch, instrument panel bracket, seat belt pretensioner, or tailgate access panel, Mach-E battery tray bracket, or Bronco Sport C-pillar garnish — the unsecured part could degrade crash structure performance or interact with surrounding components during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Risk Category 4: Electrical Disconnection

If the affected fastener secures the Maverick battery cable, an unintended electrical disconnection could cause intermittent instrument cluster flickering, SYNC screen restarts affecting rearview camera visibility while in reverse, and potential loss of motive power.

Risk Category 5: Reduced Vehicle Stability

If the affected fastener secures the Maverick front shock/strut-to-turret housing, the vehicle could experience reduced stability during aggressive driving maneuvers.

What’s Affected on Each Model

Because different fasteners are involved on different models, here’s a breakdown of which components are affected on the vehicle you own:

2026 Ford F-150

  • Grille (part detachment risk)
  • Center high-mount brake lamp (part detachment risk)
  • Seat (degraded crash performance risk)

2026 Ford Maverick

  • Air deflector (part detachment risk)
  • Luggage rack tie-down (unsecured cargo risk)
  • Door latch (degraded crash performance risk)
  • Instrument panel bracket (degraded crash performance risk)
  • Seat belt pretensioner (degraded crash performance risk)
  • Tailgate access panel (degraded crash performance risk)
  • Battery cable (electrical disconnection risk)
  • Front shock/strut-to-turret housing (reduced vehicle stability risk)

2026 Ford Bronco Sport

  • Rear wiper arm (part detachment risk)
  • Washer fluid bottle (part detachment risk)
  • Fuel tank shield (part detachment risk)
  • Engine cover (part detachment risk)
  • Speaker assembly (part detachment risk)
  • Liftgate handle (unsecured cargo risk)
  • C-pillar garnish (degraded crash performance risk)

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E

  • Battery tray bracket (degraded crash performance risk)

Notice anything loose, rattling, or unusual on your 2026 Ford? Call us now.

(320) 587-4748

What Ford Is Doing About It

This is an advance notice recall, which means Ford has confirmed the safety concern and identified the affected vehicles, but the complete dealer repair instructions and technical procedures are still being finalized.

  • The complete dealer bulletin and technical instructions are expected by October 5, 2026. This is when dealers will have the official procedure to begin inspecting and repairing affected vehicles.
  • Owner notification letters will be mailed within sixty days. These letters may arrive before the remedy is available — that’s normal for advance notices.
  • Ford has instructed dealers not to demonstrate or deliver any new in-stock vehicles involved in this recall. This stop-sale applies to new inventory only.
  • The recall repair will be completely free when the remedy launches — federal law requires it.

What We’re Doing at Jay Malone Ford

Our service team in Hutchinson is aware of this recall and tracking it closely.

  • We’re complying fully with Ford’s stop-sale requirement on any affected new 2026 inventory.
  • If you own a 2026 Bronco Sport, F-150, Mach-E, or Maverick and are concerned, call us. We can check your VIN, discuss what’s specifically affected on your model, and advise on anything you should watch for in the meantime.
  • If you notice anything unusual — a rattle, something loose, a warning light — don’t wait for October. Bring it in and we’ll take a look. We can address an immediate safety concern even before the official recall procedure is published.
  • When the remedy launches on October 5, we’ll be ready to schedule. Call us anytime to be added to our recall scheduling list.

What You Should Do Right Now

  1. Check your VIN at ford.com/support/recalls or nhtsa.gov/recalls as the recall databases update. VIN searchability may not be immediate on advance notices.
  2. Review the list above for your specific model — understand which components on your vehicle are affected so you know what to watch for.
  3. Drive normally, but stay aware. Ford has not issued a do-not-drive advisory. If anything feels loose, rattles, or looks unusual — especially in the areas listed for your model — contact us right away.
  4. Watch for your letter. Ford will mail first-class notifications within sixty days.
  5. Call us to get on the scheduling list at (320) 587-4748 or email service@jaymalonemotors.com. Mention recall 26S60.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my vehicle safe to drive?

Ford has not issued a do-not-drive advisory for this recall. However, given the range of affected fasteners — some of which secure crash-critical components like seats, seat belt pretensioners, and door latches — you should pay attention to anything that feels loose, rattles, or looks unusual on your 2026 vehicle. If you notice something, call us before continuing to drive.

When can I get the repair done?

The complete dealer bulletin and repair instructions are expected by October 5, 2026. Once available, the inspection and any needed fastener retorque or replacement will be performed at no charge. Call us now to be added to the scheduling list so you’re among the first when the remedy launches.

Why are so many different parts affected on different models?

This recall appears to stem from a fastener torque process issue during assembly rather than a single defective component. Different models have different assembly lines and different fastener locations, which is why the specific affected components vary by model. The common thread is that certain fasteners may not have been tightened to the correct specification.

My Maverick has a lot of items on the list. Should I be more concerned?

The Maverick does have the broadest range of affected fasteners in this recall, including some crash-critical components (door latch, seat belt pretensioner) and the front suspension (shock/strut-to-turret housing). That does not mean your specific Maverick has all of these issues — it means these are the areas that will be inspected during the recall. Pay attention to your vehicle’s behavior and call us if anything seems off.

I just bought a 2026 F-150/Maverick/Bronco Sport/Mach-E. What should I do?

Check your VIN at ford.com/support/recalls as the recall databases update. If your VIN is included, you’ll receive a letter from Ford and the recall repair will be free when the remedy is available in October. In the meantime, drive normally and watch for anything unusual.

Will the recall repair be free?

Yes. Federal law requires recall repairs to be performed at no charge, regardless of where the vehicle was purchased.

I bought my vehicle from a different dealership. Can Jay Malone handle this?

Yes. Federal law requires any authorized Ford dealer to honor recall repairs for any owner. If you’re in central Minnesota, call us and we’ll take care of it.

Source: Ford safety recall 26S60 (advance notice). NHTSA campaign number pending. Last verified August 28, 2026. For the most current information, see ford.com/support/recalls or nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Written by Brady Forst
Service Manager, Jay Malone Motors
Brady leads the service department at Jay Malone Motors, overseeing recall, warranty, and customer-pay service for both Jay Malone Ford and Jay Malone CDJR. His approach is straightforward: take the time to understand the issue, fix it right the first time, and treat every customer the way he’d want his own family treated. If you have questions about a recall, a TSB, or anything related to your vehicle’s safety, reach out to our service team — we’re here to help.

Categories: Recall, Service, Parts

Subscribe to Our Blog