Ford has issued an urgent Do Not Drive warning for thousands of Bronco Sport SUVs after a suspension defect raised concerns about sudden steering loss.
Ford Bronco Sport Recall Over Steering Risk
Ford Motor Company has issued an urgent Do Not Drive advisory for thousands of Ford Bronco Sport vehicles in the United States after identifying a serious suspension related safety defect that could lead to a complete loss of steering control. The warning is one of the most severe actions a vehicle manufacturer can take and highlights the potential danger posed by the issue.
The recall affects a combined total of 4,653 Ford Bronco Sport SUVs and Maverick trucks. Owners of potentially affected vehicles are being urged to act immediately and avoid driving until their vehicles have been inspected and repaired.
What Caused the Emergency Recall?
According to Ford, the problem involves the front lower control arm ball joints. During vehicle assembly or repair, some of these components may have been installed incorrectly.
The lower control arm and ball joint are critical parts of a vehicle's suspension and steering system. They help keep the front wheels properly connected and aligned while allowing the wheels to move smoothly over road surfaces.
Ford warns that if the ball joint was not installed correctly, the control arm could separate from the front wheel knuckle while the vehicle is being driven. If this happens, the driver could suddenly lose steering control, creating a significantly higher risk of a crash.
Because of the seriousness of the defect, Ford has advised affected owners not to drive their vehicles under any circumstances until the issue has been addressed.
Which Vehicles Are Affected?
The current recall primarily impacts specific Ford Bronco Sport SUVs from model years 2021 through 2026 that were produced before June 1, 2025. Certain Ford Maverick trucks are also included in the recall population.
Ford has assigned recall reference number 26S36 to this safety campaign. Vehicle owners are encouraged to verify whether their vehicle is affected by checking their Vehicle Identification Number, commonly known as a VIN.
The VIN is a unique 17 character code that can typically be found on the driver's side dashboard near the windshield or on vehicle registration documents.
Ford Offering Free Towing and Repairs
To reduce the risk for owners, Ford is taking several steps to make repairs as convenient as possible.
The company is contacting affected customers directly and arranging complimentary towing services to authorized Ford dealerships. In some locations, Ford may also send mobile service technicians to inspect vehicles at the owner's location.
During the inspection process, technicians will examine both the left and right front suspension assemblies. Any necessary repairs will be completed at no cost to the owner.
Ford says these measures are intended to ensure that vehicles can be repaired safely without requiring customers to drive a potentially dangerous vehicle.
Also Read: Tesla Model Y 2026 Gets Longer Range and Major Upgrades
Other Active Ford Bronco Sport Recalls Owners Should Know About
The latest suspension recall is not the only safety campaign affecting recent Ford Bronco Sport models.
In April 2026, Ford announced a recall involving certain 2026 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5 liter and 2.0 liter engines. The issue involves the engine block heater, which may overheat while plugged in and create a fire hazard. Owners were instructed not to use the heater until dealers replace the affected component. The recall is listed under NHTSA recall number 26V239000.
Another recall issued in March 2026 affects some 2025 and 2026 Bronco Sport models. In these vehicles, the Occupant Classification Sensor may not correctly detect a front seat passenger. This could cause the airbag system to deploy improperly during a collision or fail to deploy when needed. Ford dealerships are replacing the faulty sensors free of charge under NHTSA recall number 26V201000.
In November 2025, Ford also recalled certain 2025 and 2026 Bronco Sport vehicles because the digital instrument cluster could fail during startup. When this occurs, the screen may remain completely blank, preventing drivers from seeing important information such as vehicle speed and warning indicators. Ford is addressing the issue through free over the air software updates. This recall is identified as NHTSA recall number 25V788000.
Earlier Bronco Sport models have also been affected by fuel injector related recalls. Certain 2021 through 2024 vehicles equipped with 1.5 liter engines may experience fuel injector cracking, which can allow fuel to leak into the engine compartment. Such leaks increase the risk of an under hood fire. Ford has been providing software updates and fuel rail replacements as part of the remedy under NHTSA recall numbers 22V859000 and 24V191000.
What Owners Should Do Right Now?
Owners who believe their vehicle may be involved should verify their VIN as soon as possible using the official NHTSA Recall Lookup Tool or the Ford Owners Recall Center.
If the vehicle is included in the current Do Not Drive advisory, Ford recommends that owners stop using the vehicle immediately. Driving an affected vehicle could increase the risk of losing steering control without warning.
Customers can contact Ford Customer Service at 1 866 436 7332 to arrange a flatbed tow or schedule a mobile inspection and repair appointment.
Safety Comes First
The latest Ford Bronco Sport recall serves as an important reminder that vehicle safety recalls should never be ignored. While many recalls involve software updates or minor repairs, this particular defect has the potential to affect steering control, making it especially serious.
Ford's decision to issue a Do Not Drive advisory reflects the potential danger associated with the problem. Owners of affected vehicles should take immediate action, verify their recall status, and arrange repairs as soon as possible to ensure their vehicle remains safe on the road.
Also Read: Kawasaki KX327 Debuts With Fuel Injected 2 Stroke Models