The Ford Bronco, widely recognized for its impressive off-road capabilities, has encountered a significant issue that has led to a recall affecting nearly 150,000 units across the United States. The problem centers around the vehicle's sophisticated rear shock absorbers. Although Ford has not reported any accidents or injuries related to this defect, the company had received 551 warranty claims concerning the issue as of December 11.
According to Ford, the defect involves the potential for corrosion to develop over time in the area where the rear shock absorber's external reservoir, mounting flange, and damper body meet. If corrosion occurs, it could eventually cause the external reservoir to detach completely. This scenario poses a risk not only to Bronco owners but also to other drivers on the road, as a loose shock reservoir could create hazardous conditions if it were to bounce into the path of oncoming traffic.
The recall affects a total of 149,449 Ford Bronco vehicles, specifically those produced between September 23, 2020, and July 23, 2024. This recall is limited to models featuring the Badlands trim and those equipped with the Sasquatch package. Ford estimates that approximately 30% of the recalled vehicles may actually have this defect. Vehicle owners are advised to be vigilant for certain warning signs that could indicate an impending failure. Symptoms such as an unusually bouncy ride, strange noises coming from the rear of the vehicle, or visible fluid leaks near the rear wheels should prompt immediate caution, as these could be indicators that the external reservoir is on the verge of detaching from the damper.
The issue first came to light when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation received four customer complaints about rear shock absorber problems. Three of these complaints specifically mentioned that the external reservoir had already separated from the vehicle. Following these reports, Ford promptly launched an internal investigation and determined that Broncos with a longer flange assembly in the damper tube were more susceptible to this problem compared to newer models, which feature a shorter flange assembly.
Owners of the affected vehicles in the U.S. will receive recall notifications between February 3 and February 7. At present, Ford has not yet announced an official solution to the issue, stating that their investigation is still in progress. Impacted customers will be contacted again once a definitive repair plan has been established.