Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2021-2025 Bronco vehicles

Apr 14, 2026 — Recall Campaign #26V236000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Bronco vehicles. The transmission to transfer case joint may be misaligned due to an incorrectly performed previous repair, which could lead to wear of the transmission output shaft splines and transfer case input splines.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 4,922 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

26V236000

Manufacturer:	Ford Motor Company
Recall date:	April 14, 2026
NHTSA Campaign #:	26V236000
Units affected:	4,922

Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Bronco vehicles. The transmission to transfer case joint may be misaligned due to an incorrectly performed previous repair, which could lead to wear of the transmission output shaft splines and transfer case input splines.
Consequeces:: Excessive wear of the transmission and transfer case splines may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective action:: Dealers will inspect the transmission to transfer case joint and replace the transmission and transfer case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.

Affects the following:

2021-2025 FORD BRONCO

2025 FORD BRONCO SPORT Complaints
Both front lower control arm ball joints on my 2025 Bronco Sport failed prematurely at approximately 13,000 miles. Upon removal, both ball studs showed heavy corrosion and clear evidence of water intrusion past the factory boot seals. One boot's upper metal retainer was visibly deformed, allowing water into the joint. This level of corrosion should not exist on a vehicle this new and indicates a defective component or seal, not normal wear. I have retained both failed parts and have photographs documenting the condition. This is the same component covered under Ford's active do-not-drive safety recall 26S36 (NHTSA campaign 26V-340) for front lower control arm ball joint defects on 2021–2026 Bronco Sport vehicles. My VIN is not included in that campaign, but I experienced failure of the identical safety-critical component. I am reporting this so NHTSA is aware the defect may extend beyond the current recall population. When I brought the vehicle to my local Ford dealer and requested inspection under the new vehicle warranty, the service department refused to inspect the vehicle at all, citing a 1.5-inch aftermarket leveling kit. No inspection was performed and no determination was made that the modification caused or contributed to the failure. A leveling kit does not cause water intrusion past a factory boot seal. Because the dealer refused service on a safety-critical component, I replaced both ball joints at my own expense to keep the vehicle safe to drive. I have opened a case with Ford Customer Relationship Center (case CXH-09202228-R9R8V5). No crash or injury occurred, but ball joint separation causes loss of steering control, and I believe this failure mode warrants investigation of vehicles outside the current recall scope.;