Recall 26V340 affects 4,653 2021-2026 Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles for detached control arms. Do not drive. Free repair at any franchised Ford dealer.
Do not drive your Bronco Sport or Maverick, even for short trips, if your VIN is included. A detached control arm can cause loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk. There is no warning sign before failure. Ask Ford about towing. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 4,653 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles under recall 26V340 because front lower control arm ball joints were incorrectly installed or repaired at the assembly plant. Do not drive an included vehicle until a Ford dealer completes the free repair, because a detached control arm can cause loss of vehicle control and raise crash risk.
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What's wrong?
The front lower control arm is a suspension arm that holds the bottom of the front wheel assembly in place. Its ball joint is the pivot where the arm attaches to the front wheel knuckle, the part that carries the wheel hub and turns with the steering. When assembled correctly, the joint lets the wheel move up and down over bumps while staying locked to the arm.
On affected 2021-2026 Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles, that ball joint was not fully inserted before the pinch bolt was secured, or an in-plant repair was not completed. A pinch bolt clamps the joint stud inside the knuckle. If the stud is only partly seated or left unsecured after repair, the lower control arm can separate from the knuckle and let the front wheel move out of position.
There is no warning sign before failure. The repair checks the ball joint attachment and secures it to the knuckle as needed.
Who's affected?
VINs became searchable on May 29, 2026, so the VIN check can confirm inclusion for a specific vehicle.
| 2022 Ford Bronco Sport | lower control arm |
|---|---|
| 2021 Ford Bronco Sport | lower control arm |
| 2026 Ford Maverick | lower control arm |
| 2023 Ford Bronco Sport | lower control arm |
| 2024 Ford Bronco Sport | lower control arm |
| 2025 Ford Bronco Sport | lower control arm |
| 2026 Ford Bronco Sport | lower control arm |
| 2022 Ford Maverick | lower control arm |
| 2023 Ford Maverick | lower control arm |
| 2024 Ford Maverick | lower control arm |
| 2025 Ford Maverick | lower control arm |
| Units affected | 4,653 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
Do not drive your Bronco Sport or Maverick, even for short trips, if your VIN is included. A detached control arm can cause loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk. There is no warning sign before failure. Ask Ford about towing. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021-2026 Ford Bronco Sport or Maverick is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the front lower control arm ball-joint inspection and repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact your nearest franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free front lower control arm ball-joint inspection and repair that addresses the control arm disconnecting from the front wheel knuckle.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 26V340 or Ford recall 26S36 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the vehicle until the remedy is completed. At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the front lower control arm ball joints and repairs the ball joint installation or the related connection to the front wheel knuckle as necessary. The recall repair is free at a Ford dealer now, and parts and labor are covered. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through Ford's standard reimbursement plan on file. Bring repair documentation to the service desk or contact Ford customer service to ask how to submit a claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 27, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 29, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| May 29, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 29, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V340?
Recall 26V340 covers 4,653 Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles with front lower control arm ball joints that were installed or repaired incorrectly. The control arm can disconnect from the front wheel knuckle, causing loss of vehicle control and increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2021-2026 Ford Bronco Sport or 2022-2026 Ford Maverick is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 26V340. If it is, do not drive it until the repair is complete. Contact a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 26V340 or Ford recall number 26S36.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ford dealers will inspect and repair the front lower control arm ball joints as needed, free of charge.
What does "do not drive" mean for recall 26V340?
Do not drive the vehicle until the dealer completes the recall repair. That includes short trips. If the vehicle has to move, call a Ford dealer and ask about towing or another safe transport option before the vehicle is driven.
When will Ford notify owners about recall 26V340?
Ford expects to mail owner notification letters by June 5, 2026. VINs became searchable on May 29, 2026, so you can check your VIN before the letter arrives and contact a Ford dealer if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V340000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V340 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V340000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →