Ford Motor Company has issued a rare āDo Not Driveā warning affecting thousands of Bronco Sport and Maverick owners after discovering a suspension defect that could increase the risk of a crash. The automaker has recalled 4,653 vehicles and is urging affected customers to stop using them until inspections and repairs are completed.
The recall applies to certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco Sport SUVs and 2022-2026 Ford Maverick pickup trucks. According to information submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the issue involves front lower control arm ball joints that may have been improperly installed or repaired during vehicle assembly.
While suspension components rarely attract the same attention as engine or transmission problems, they play a critical role in vehicle handling and steering. Ford warned that if the affected ball joint separates from the front wheel knuckle, drivers could experience a loss of vehicle control, significantly increasing the likelihood of an accident.
The affected population includes 2,296 Bronco Sport vehicles and 2,357 Maverick trucks. Ford approved the recall internally on May 19 and quickly moved to issue a stop-sale order for dealerships. Dealers have been instructed not to sell, deliver or demonstrate any affected vehicles until the defect has been addressed.
Ford Covers Towing, Repairs and Rental Vehicles
The federal stop-sale requirement carries significant consequences. Dealers that knowingly sell an unrepaired vehicle covered by the recall could face civil penalties of up to $27,168 per vehicle, highlighting the seriousness of the safety concern.
To help customers, Ford said it will absorb all costs related to the recall. Owners will not be charged for inspections or repairs. Dealers are authorized to arrange towing services and may receive reimbursement of up to $250 per vehicle for transportation costs. In some areas, technicians may be dispatched directly to customers’ homes or workplaces to perform inspections, reducing the need for owners to move the vehicle themselves.
If replacement parts are required, Ford is also providing rental vehicle coverage for up to 30 days. The company has established a reimbursement program for customers who previously paid out of pocket to fix the same issue. Eligible owners may seek reimbursement if the repair was completed before June 19, 2026.
The recall comes during a year of heightened scrutiny for Ford’s quality-control efforts. The automaker has already issued 34 recalls during the first half of 2026, affecting more than 10 million vehicles across multiple product lines. Earlier this year, Ford announced a recall of 1.39 million F-150 trucks linked to an unexpected downshift issue, adding to concerns about manufacturing consistency and warranty-related expenses.
Although the latest recall involves fewer than 5,000 vehicles, industry analysts often focus on recall frequency as much as recall size. A growing number of safety actions can increase repair costs, create additional pressure on dealerships and affect customer confidence in a brand.
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Owners of Bronco Sport and Maverick models should check their Vehicle Identification Number through Ford’s recall lookup service or the NHTSA database to determine whether their vehicle is affected. Given Ford’s unusual āDo Not Driveā advisory, customers are encouraged to contact their dealership before attempting to transport the vehicle for service.
For consumers, the message is straightforward: this is not a routine recall that can be postponed. Until the vehicle has been inspected and repaired if necessary, Ford recommends keeping affected vehicles off the road to reduce the risk of a potentially serious suspension failure.
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