Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is recalling 149,449 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir. Ford is also recalling a previous recall on 272,817 2021-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The 12-volt battery may experience degradation and suddenly fail. If the battery suddenly degrades during a drive it can lead to a vehicle that is unable to restart after an auto stop/start event or experience a stall while coming to a stop at low speed. Either of these conditions may be accompanied by a loss of 12-volt accessories, including hazard lights.
Both of the latest Ford Motor safety defect recalls were made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which prompted both recalls based on customer complaints.
Shock Absorber Chronology
- On 31 October 2024, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contacted Ford regarding four (4) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) that alleged a failure of Ford Bronco long flange rear shock absorbers, three (3) of which allege an external reservoir detachment.
- On 14 November 2024, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) responded to NHTSA’s inquiry and opened an investigation into the concern for 2021 – 2024 MY Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with long flange shock absorbers.
Ford Motor doesn’t know how to fix the shock absorber safety defect. The recalled part was introduced into production on 09/23/2020 date and was taken out of production on 07/23/2024. A repair is under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are not expected to be mailed until 3 February 2025. A second safety recall notice will be sent once the remedy is available.
Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this Bronco shock absorber recall is 25S01. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to nhtsa.gov.
Chinese Battery Failure Chronology
- On 24 September 2024, Ford received an informal inquiry from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) related to 19 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging a Loss Of Motive Power (LOMP) after receiving a remedy for Field Service Action (FSA) 24S24.
- Ford’s Automotive Safety Office (ASO) and Low Voltage Power Supply team reviewed the VOQs and based on the team’s findings, this concern was introduced to Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) on 29 October, 2024.
- On 15 November 15, 2024, NHTSA ODI opened Recall Query RQ24-014 into this defect.
- From November 2024 through January 2025, the Low Voltage Power Supply team conducted an engineering evaluation of several field returned 12-volt batteries from the suspect population. Vehicles recalled under 24S24 were produced with Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFB) supplied by two different suppliers: Camel and Clarios. This investigation identified internal manufacturing defects in the Camel EFB batteries, including failures of the battery’s Cast On Strap (COS) and internal weld failures, both of which can lead to open circuits. The customer claims and warranty returns related to alleged LOMP failures demonstrate a higher concentration in warmer weather states.
- As of 29 October 29, 2024, 234 out of 238 allegations of LOMP post-24S24 were vehicles produced with Chinese-made (Xiang Yang) Camel EFB batteries. Ford has not identified any Clarios EFB batteries with a similar failure mode to what has been observed in the Camel EFB.
- As of 20 November 2024, Ford is not aware of any accidents, fires, or injuries attributed to this safety defect.
- On 10 January 2025, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action.
Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the 12-volt battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 3 February 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 25S02. Vehicles in this recall were previously repaired under 24V-267 and will need to have the new remedy completed.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Ford Bronco Recalls – Shocks and Batteries
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is recalling 149,449 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir. Ford is also recalling a previous recall on 272,817 2021-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The 12-volt battery may experience degradation and suddenly fail. If the battery suddenly degrades during a drive it can lead to a vehicle that is unable to restart after an auto stop/start event or experience a stall while coming to a stop at low speed. Either of these conditions may be accompanied by a loss of 12-volt accessories, including hazard lights.
Both of the latest Ford Motor safety defect recalls were made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which prompted both recalls based on customer complaints.
Shock Absorber Chronology
Ford Motor doesn’t know how to fix the shock absorber safety defect. The recalled part was introduced into production on 09/23/2020 date and was taken out of production on 07/23/2024. A repair is under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are not expected to be mailed until 3 February 2025. A second safety recall notice will be sent once the remedy is available.
Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this Bronco shock absorber recall is 25S01. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to nhtsa.gov.
Chinese Battery Failure Chronology
Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the 12-volt battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 3 February 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 25S02. Vehicles in this recall were previously repaired under 24V-267 and will need to have the new remedy completed.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.