Ford Recalls Nearly 4,500 Ranger and Bronco Vehicles Over Safety Concerns

Ford Motor Company has issued a safety recall affecting nearly 4,500 of its 2024-2025 Ranger and Bronco vehicles, citing a potential defect in the front upper control arm ball joint. The issue involves a missing or improperly torqued nut that could lead to separation from the knuckle assembly, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall, filed under NHTSA Recall No. 25V310, includes 1,405 Ford Ranger vehicles from the 2024 model year, 3 Rangers from the 2025 model year, 3,078 Ford Bronco vehicles from 2024, and 11 Broncos from 2025. Ford identified the defect through a review of plant records and can trace affected components to individual vehicles. The manufacturing process, however, did not produce vehicles in sequential VIN order, requiring owners to contact Ford or local dealers for specific information.

The defect stems from the ball joint nut either not being installed or not torqued to specifications, which could result in partial loss of directional control without warning. Drivers may detect an issue if they hear a clunk or rattle noise during suspension movements. No prior warnings are guaranteed before failure.

Ford will notify affected owners by mail starting June 16, 2025, and will complete notifications by June 20, 2025. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the ball joint and knuckle assembly at no cost. Ford has also outlined a reimbursement program for owners who previously addressed the defect at their own expense.

The affected component is the ball joint nut, identified by part number W717969-S440, along with associated upper control arm and knuckle assemblies. The company has not indicated how the condition was corrected in ongoing production, as not required under the federal reporting regulation.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from Ford Motor Company and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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