Ford Issues Do-Not-Drive Advisory for Certain 2021-2026 Maverick; Owners Urged to Contact Dealerships Immediately (June 1, 2026)

[Sykotyk]

For context, this is only 0.5% of all vehicles made over six years. This is only 4,700 vehicles. Last month that factory made 30,000 vehicles. Honestly, the fact Ford was able to find a common denominator is pretty amazing.

Most likely, it's one part supplier, machine or machine operator that had a history of this defect happening. They know every aspect of the assembly of each vehicle (which employees were running things, which batch of materials, which exact machines were in use on that particular day, etc). Probably saw these problems, and kept seeing the same exact factor with all of them. Even if it's a few dozen, they have to then check every single one where these factors matched up.

Maybe the machine that torqued a bolt was getting out of a spec and no one knew it, who knows.

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[Cancunbadlands]

I


I am a Ford service advisor that drives a Maverick. There is no recall number out and no information to us as of yet. This just on the news. I drive my Maverick 80 mile round trip daily so more to follow as I get it. As of now I am driving mine and would let my one and only child drive it

It's in my Ford App
I already got an appointment for

Ain't "on the news" thing for sure

 

[billbillw]

The only recall that shows for my '23 is for the trailer module, which doesn't really concern me much (and there still isn't a repair ready).

 

[Grand Nat.]

Has anybody on this forum actually receive a recall letter or an email from Ford? If it was that serious you would think you'd get a notification from Ford not from a news agency on television.

 

[HeyBales]

Seems the service manual doesn't require anything special unless the general equipment protects the metal shield automatically. Which perhaps it does have a depression in middle.
Should really slide right up anyway rather easy.

More the thing for DIY to know for future work - throw away bolt:

I'm more concerned with some of those gotcha's to NOT do.
Any tech with experience would have to leave the old ways behind.

 

[Darnon]

Has anybody on this forum actually receive a recall letter or an email from Ford? If it was that serious you would think you'd get a notification from Ford not from a news agency on television.

Sending letters takes time, and e-mail isn't connected to registration records like mailing addresses are. It'd show up in FordPass app, though, if one had that set up.

 

[HeyBales]

Has anybody on this forum actually receive a recall letter or an email from Ford? If it was that serious you would think you'd get a notification from Ford not from a news agency on television.

You've missed 3 posts - 1 right above yours - that it was personal.
Letters take time.
Other methods can fail due to not updating accounts.
Online check and app for your vehicle are quickest.

 

[El Kabong]

This is a great post, thank you @HeyBales. As noted by @HeyBales the ball joint pinch bolt and its nut are one-time use items!

In the below scenario the vehicle is not being jacked up by the "General Equipment Axle Stands" - it's on a lift, then lowered with 5mm (less than 1/4") of clearance on the one corner of the lift onto the stand - so the spring/strut assembly is not putting the full weight of the vehicle onto the ball joint.

Seems the service manual doesn't require anything special unless the general equipment protects the metal shield automatically. Which perhaps it does have a depression in middle.
Should really slide right up anyway rather easy.

More the thing for DIY to know for future work - throw away bolt:

I'm more concerned with some of those gotcha's to NOT do.
Any tech with experience would have to leave the old ways behind.

 

[d7602002]

Okay I'm not too good with stuff like this. So I went and took a picture and I'll post it does this look like it's seated properly? I did put my VIN in and it shows no recall, but I also have one spot that shows I have two recalls for the camera and some towing thing and another spot where it only shows the camera recall. So I wasn't sure how accurate it was. So I decided to take a picture and see if you guys could tell me.

 

[El Kabong]

Okay I'm not too good with stuff like this. So I went and took a picture and I'll post it does this look like it's seated properly? I did put my VIN in and it shows no recall, but I also have one spot that shows I have two recalls for the camera and some towing thing and another spot where it only shows the camera recall. So I wasn't sure how accurate it was. So I decided to take a picture and see if you guys could tell me.

Reference the below, you are wanting to look at the top where the stud from the ball joint is inserted into the pinch joint on the knuckle. If the stud is level with the inset top of the pinch it is OK (left side), if recessed it is not (right side).

 

[Chops]

Just some quotes from the recall fyi.
I added the numbers myself…

”1) affected vehicles may have improperly assembled front lower control arm ball joints.”

“2) Ford’s understanding of the issue and observed occurrences in the field which indicate it will manifest very early in the vehicle’s lifetime.”

”3) On June 1, 2025, assembly station updates were made that prevented the
improper assembly condition.”

“4) For production dates June 1, 2025, or later, affected vehicles have front lower control arm ball joints that may have been improperly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant. “

“5) Vehicles from this production period that were sent to in-plant repair stations for inspection/repair of the joint are included in the recall population”

“6) 2357 Maverick vehicles are affected”

 

[Bdesign]

Okay I'm not too good with stuff like this. So I went and took a picture and I'll post it does this look like it's seated properly? I did put my VIN in and it shows no recall, but I also have one spot that shows I have two recalls for the camera and some towing thing and another spot where it only shows the camera recall. So I wasn't sure how accurate it was. So I decided to take a picture and see if you guys could tell me.

looks like you are fully seated- good to go

 

[Chops]

Has anybody on this forum actually receive a recall letter or an email from Ford? If it was that serious you would think you'd get a notification from Ford not from a news agency on television.

Recall was issued about one year after Ford first noticed the problem (6/1/25).

Does seem a bit like “closing the barn door after the horse has left” to be issuing a “do not drive” warning now…

 

[d7602002]

Reference the below, you are wanting to look at the top where the stud from the ball joint is inserted into the pinch joint on the knuckle. If the stud is level with the inset top of the pinch it is OK (left side), if recessed it is not (right side).

Yeah I couldn't really see the top because I was lying on the ground and the car was just sitting there. But I did feel it and I slid my finger around and it didn't feel like it went into an indentation I have an oil change coming up I'll have them look at it.

 

[JctTopGun]

AI info fyi…

“In the Ford Maverick (2022+ models, sharing the platform with the Bronco Sport/Escape), the front lower ball joints are integrated into the lower control arm as a single assembly. motortrend.com amazon.com
This is a common modern design for cost, weight, and durability reasons on these compact unibody vehicles. Replacement parts are sold as complete “loaded” lower control arms with the ball joint, bushings, and arm pre-assembled. You typically cannot (and are not meant to) service just the ball joint separately on OEM-style parts. mavericktruckclub.com
Attachment Method
• The ball joint is permanently installed (likely pressed or otherwise factory-assembled) into the control arm during manufacturing of the arm or sub-assembly. It is not typically riveted (as in some older Ford designs) or easily bolted for field service on these models. facebook.com
• The tapered ball joint stud connects to the steering knuckle with a nut (and often a cotter pin or similar retainer). This is the primary connection point that can allow separation if improperly assembled. fordauthority.com
Relation to Recall 26S36
This recall (also affecting some Bronco Sport models) specifically involves the front lower control arm ball joints potentially not assembled correctly at the vehicle assembly plant (or during prior repairs). fromtheroad.ford.com fordauthority.com
• Issue: Incorrect installation could allow the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuckle, leading to loss of steering control. fordauthority.com
• Affected: A small number of 2021–2026 Mavericks (part of ~4,653 total vehicles with Bronco Sport).
• Fix: Dealers visually inspect both left and right front lower control arm ball joint assemblies. If out of spec, they replace the affected control arm assembly(ies). This is free, with towing support and a “do not drive” advisory until repaired. motortrend.com
Ford has not publicly detailed the exact assembly error, but it relates to how the ball joint was seated/attached within the control arm or its connection to the knuckle during production.
Practical Notes
• Service/Replacement: If replacing outside the recall (e.g., due to wear), you swap the entire lower control arm. This is straightforward but requires proper torque specs, alignment afterward, and care with the CV axle and other components. Aftermarket arms are widely available as loaded assemblies. mavericktruckclub.com
• Upper Control Arms: These are separate and use more traditional ball joint connections (stud/nut to knuckle), but the recall targets the lower ones.
• Check your VIN on Ford’s recall site or contact a dealer for 26S36 applicability.”

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