Ford Maverick and Bronco Sport owners have been advised against driving their vehicles in a fresh recall due to a problem with the front lower control arm ball joints that could lead to loss of vehicle control, increasing the chances of a crash.According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall report, 2,357 units of the 2022-2026 Ford Maverick and 2,296 units of the 2021-2026 Ford Bronco Sport have been affected by the problem.The report specifies that for vehicles produced before June 1, 2025, they may have “improperly assembled front lower control arm ball joints.”AdvertisementAdvertisementUnsold vehicles and those with less than 3 months in service as of May 18, 2026, are “included in the recall population based on Ford’s understanding of the issue and observed occurrences in the field which indicate it will manifest very early in the vehicle’s lifetime.”Not only that, vehicles produced on and after June 1, 2025, may have “front lower control arm ball joints that may have been improperly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant. 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.”Tan pickup truck with rooftop tent overlooks oceanFront Ball Joint Issue Could Increase Risk of CrashAccording to the NHTSA recall report, a lower control arm separation heightens the risk of a crash. Explaining the technicalities, the report stated:“An incorrect assembly or repair that results in partial engagement of the ball stud to the knuckle may result in lower control arm ball joint separation from the knuckle which may result in loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of crash.”AdvertisementAdvertisementExplaining the root cause of the problem, the report added that for vehicles produced before June 1, 2025, the assembly plant operator may not have “fully inserted the front lower control arm ball stud into the front wheel knuckle before securing an associated pinch bolt.”For vehicles produced on or after June 1, 2025, they may have been “shipped without the repair being completed.”The issue first came to light when Ford’s chassis team identified a warranty claim for a 2025 Bronco Sport in which the front-left wheel had misaligned while driving at 1 month in service. Inspection revealed that the left front lower control arm ball joint had separated from the knuckle.Following an investigation that was carried out by Ford’s Critical Concern Group (CCRG), a field action was approved on May 19, 2026. The report clarified that Ford was not aware of any incidents resulting from this issue.Ford’s Remedy ProgramThe recall report describes Ford’s remedy program for affected owners of the Maverick and Bronco Sport. It states:AdvertisementAdvertisement“Ford is contacting owners and instructing them to not drive their vehicle. Owners are asked to work with a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have their vehicle inspected at their location or towed in for service. Dealers will inspect for proper assembly of the front lower control arm ball joint to knuckle attachment on the left and right side of the vehicle and repair, as necessary. There will be no charge for these services.”Ford will contact owners via call and email. Owner notification letters will be mailed by June 5, 2026.