DO NOT DRIVE Recall Alert: Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick Front Suspension Ball Joint

Who’s Affected by This Recall

This recall covers a total of 4,653 vehicles nationally, split across two models:

• 2,296 Ford Bronco Sport SUVs (model years 2021-2026), built between March 11, 2020 and April 28, 2026
• 2,357 Ford Maverick pickups (model years 2022-2026), built between March 5, 2021 and March 25, 2026

Here’s the important context: Ford has sold hundreds of thousands of Bronco Sports and Mavericks over those model years. The overwhelming majority of these vehicles are NOT included in this recall. The affected population is a small group of vehicles where a specific assembly issue may have occurred at the factory.

But because the consequence of the defect is severe, you should not guess — check your specific VIN right now at ford.com/support/recalls (Ford recall number 26S36) or nhtsa.gov/recalls (NHTSA campaign 26V-340). Your VIN is on the lower corner of your driver-side windshield, in the driver’s door jamb, or on your registration. The check takes about 30 seconds.

What’s Wrong — And Why It’s Serious

According to Ford’s safety recall report to NHTSA, the front lower control arm ball joints on affected vehicles may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the assembly plant. The result is a ball joint that may be only partially engaged with the wheel knuckle instead of fully seated and secured.

The ball joint is one of the most critical connections in your front suspension — it ties the control arm to the wheel assembly while allowing the wheel to pivot for steering. If a partially engaged ball joint separates while the vehicle is moving, the driver can lose control of the vehicle. That’s why this recall carries a DO NOT DRIVE advisory rather than a standard “schedule at your convenience” notice — the risk isn’t something that builds gradually or gives warning. It’s the kind of failure that can happen suddenly during normal driving.

This is one of the most serious advisory categories that exists in the recall system, and it’s why Ford is moving fast: the company reported the issue to NHTSA on May 27, and owner notifications are going out by Friday, June 5.

What Ford Is Doing About It

Ford’s remedy is an inspection-first approach:

• Technicians will inspect the front lower control arm ball joint on both sides of the vehicle to verify it is securely attached to the wheel knuckle.
• If either side isn’t properly attached, it will be repaired — at no charge.
• Ford is covering the full cost of the recall, including towing — so affected owners don’t have to choose between following the do-not-drive advisory and getting their vehicle to a dealer.

Owner notification letters are being mailed and should arrive by Friday, June 5, 2026 — but you don’t need to wait for the letter. Your VIN is already searchable in both the Ford and NHTSA lookup tools.

What We’re Doing at Jay Malone Ford

Our service team in Hutchinson is ready to handle this recall for any affected Bronco Sport or Maverick owner in central Minnesota — regardless of where you bought the vehicle.

• If your VIN is affected, call us before doing anything else. We’ll walk through your options for getting the vehicle to us safely, including Ford-covered towing. Do not drive the vehicle in.
• The inspection and any needed repair are completely free. Federal law requires it, and Ford has committed to covering all costs associated with this recall.
• We’re complying fully with the federal stop-sale requirement. Federal law prohibits dealers from demonstrating, selling, or delivering any affected new vehicle until the inspection is complete.
• We’ll provide documentation confirming the inspection and any repair when the work is done.

What You Should Do Right Now

1. Check your VIN immediately at ford.com/support/recalls or nhtsa.gov/recalls. Don’t wait for the letter.
2. If your vehicle is NOT included: you’re all set. No action needed. Most Bronco Sports and Mavericks are not part of this recall.
3. If your vehicle IS included: stop driving it. Park it and call us at (320) 587-4748 or email service@jaymalonemotors.com. We’ll help arrange Ford-covered towing and get the inspection scheduled as quickly as possible.
4. Keep your documentation after the inspection is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a “Do Not Drive” advisory actually mean?

It means Ford and NHTSA have determined the defect poses an immediate risk during normal driving — not a risk that only matters in a crash or under unusual conditions. If your VIN is included, you should park the vehicle and not drive it at all until the inspection is completed, including not driving it to the dealership. That’s why Ford is covering towing.

How do I get my vehicle to the dealership if I can’t drive it?

Call us at (320) 587-4748. Ford is covering towing costs for vehicles affected by this recall, and we’ll help coordinate getting your Bronco Sport or Maverick to our Hutchinson service center safely.

Is the inspection and repair really free?

Yes. Federal law requires recall remedies to be performed at no charge, and Ford has committed to covering all costs associated with this recall, including towing. You will not pay anything.

My Bronco Sport or Maverick isn’t on the recall list. Should I still be worried?

No. This recall affects a specific group of 4,653 vehicles where an assembly issue may have occurred — out of hundreds of thousands built. If your VIN comes back clean in the Ford or NHTSA lookup, your vehicle is not part of this campaign and no action is needed.

How long does the inspection take?

The inspection checks the ball joint attachment on both sides of the front suspension. The time on your specific vehicle depends on what the technicians find — if everything is properly secured, it’s a shorter visit; if a repair is needed, it takes longer. When you call, we’ll give you a realistic expectation based on what Ford’s procedure requires.

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

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 regardless of where you purchased.

I was about to buy a used Bronco Sport or Maverick. What should I check?

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you sign anything. If the vehicle is included in this recall, the inspection must be completed before it should be driven. A completed inspection will show in the vehicle’s recall history — ask the seller for documentation.

Source: NHTSA Campaign Number 26V-340 (Ford safety recall 26S36), reported to NHTSA May 27, 2026. Last verified June 4, 2026. For the most current information, see ford.com/support/recalls or nhtsa.gov/recalls.