Recall 25V260 affects 2 2025 Ford Bronco vehicles for a loose or missing ball-joint fastener. Do not drive. Free repair at a franchised Ford dealer.
A detached control arm can cause loss of steering and vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Do not drive the Bronco, even for short trips. If it must move, call the dealer and ask about towing. A loose fastener can make a clunk or rattle during suspension movement. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 2 2025 Bronco vehicles because the front upper control arm ball joint nut is missing or improperly tightened, allowing the control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly. Do not drive these vehicles until a Ford dealer completes the free repair; a detached control arm can cause loss of steering and control.
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What's wrong?
The front upper control arm on the 2025 Ford Bronco is part of the front suspension. It helps hold the wheel in position as the suspension moves, and its ball joint connects the arm to the steering knuckle, the assembly that carries the wheel hub.
On recalled Broncos, Ford identified a condition where the ball joint nut was not installed or was not tightened to specification. Without that fastener holding the joint tight, the upper control arm can separate from the knuckle assembly. If that happens, the front suspension loses a key connection at that wheel, affecting how the vehicle tracks and responds.
The warning sign Ford lists is noise from the front suspension. A driver can hear a clunk or rattle as the suspension moves up and down over bumps or road changes. If your VIN is included and you hear that noise, treat it as a dealer issue, not normal suspension sound.
Who's affected?
| 2025 Ford Bronco | upper control arm |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 2 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2025 Ford Bronco is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A detached control arm can cause loss of steering and vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Do not drive the Bronco, even for short trips. If it must move, call the dealer and ask about towing. A loose fastener can make a clunk or rattle during suspension movement. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025 Ford Bronco is included in this recall.
- Do not drive your Bronco until the Ford dealer repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle must be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free ball-joint fastener inspection and repair that secures the upper control arm to the knuckle assembly.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it. If not, reference recall number 25V260 and Ford recall 25S40 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the vehicle until the repair is complete. At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the front upper control arm ball joint fastener and verifies that it is tightened properly. If the fastener is loose or missing, the technician replaces the ball joint and knuckle assembly. The recall repair is free. If you've already paid out of pocket for this repair, Ford's recall reimbursement plan covers eligible documented expenses. Bring prior repair paperwork to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 17, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| April 17, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 18, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
| April 21, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 21, 2025 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 15, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V260?
Recall 25V260 covers 2 2025 Ford Bronco vehicles with a front upper control arm ball joint nut that is missing or tightened improperly. Do not drive an included Bronco until the dealer completes the inspection and any needed repair for free.
What should I do if my 2025 Ford Bronco is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Bronco is included in recall 25V260. If it is, do not drive the vehicle. Contact a franchised Ford dealer, reference Ford recall 25S40, and ask how the vehicle should be moved for inspection and repair.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ford dealers will inspect the ball joint fastener, verify it is tightened properly, and replace the ball joint and knuckle assembly if the fastener is loose or missing.
What does "do not drive" mean for this Bronco recall?
Do not drive the vehicle until the dealer completes the recall repair. Ford says the control arm can detach from the knuckle assembly, which can cause loss of steering and vehicle control. Ask the Ford dealer about moving the Bronco without driving it.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V260000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V260 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V260000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →