Do Not Drive: Ford Recalls Certain 2021–26 Bronco Sport and Maverick Models Over Ball Joint Failure Risk
Ford warns owners of certain Bronco Sport and Maverick models not to drive until the problem is fixed.
For a while, it looked like Ford might stay out of the recall spotlight for a bit. Not anymore, though, as its popular compact SUV and pickup truck are hit with a do-not-drive recall.
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The automaker is telling owners of certain 2021–26 Bronco Sport and Maverick models not to drive their vehicles and to contact dealers immediately to schedule repairs.
Under Ford recall number 26S36, which was not yet listed in NHTSA’s recall system as of this writing, the company said some of these vehicles may have had their front lower ball joints installed incorrectly. If that happens, the joint could fail and raise the risk of a crash.
Ford has not said whether the issue has been linked to any incidents but urges owners of 4,653 Bronco Sports and Mavericks to have their vehicles towed to a dealer. The tow will be free, but owners will be without their vehicles for some period. Ford also offers car rental reimbursement, and owners should ask about that when setting up the tow.
If towing is not possible, Ford said it will send a mobile service technician to the customer’s location.
The Recall Process
Technicians will inspect the lower ball joint assemblies on both sides of the front suspension. If either side is out of compliance, it will be repaired under the recall. Ford’s notice does not say exactly what the repair will involve, but because the lower ball joint is built into the lower control-arm assembly, the fix will likely require replacing the entire arm. We presume this will also include an alignment to keep the front wheels positioned properly and prevent uneven tire wear.
If a mobile technician is dispatched, they will likely only confirm whether the repair is needed. The vehicle would then still need to be transported to a dealership for the full service.
Either way, the tow, parts, and labor will cost owners nothing. Given the age of the affected Bronco Sports and Mavericks, any previous ball joint repair or replacement was likely handled under warranty. But if an owner paid out of pocket, it is worth contacting Ford about possible reimbursement.
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Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he's had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like). Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He's best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.
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