A recall of 36,046 Ford Broncos for improperly secured fender flares.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Bronco vehicles. The fender flares may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
Affected VINs should be searchable now at the NHTSA website.
Here is the relevant information from the NHTSA Recall notice:
NHTSA ID Number: 26V403
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Components: STRUCTURE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 36,046
Estimated percentage with defect: 4%
Descriptive Information
Ford’s team reviewed supplier maintenance records to determine the population of affected vehicles. Affected vehicles may have been manufactured with tooling that did not meet Ford specifications. Affected vehicles are equipped with the Raptor series package.
These vehicles are not produced in VIN order. Information as to the applicability of this action to specific vehicles can best be obtained by either calling Ford’s toll-free line (1-866-436-7332) or by contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer who can obtain specific information regarding the vehicles from the Ford On-line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS) database.
Description of defect or noncompliance:
On affected vehicles, the fender flares may become loose and detach from the vehicle, creating a potential road hazard for other vehicles.
Description of the safety risk, including crash, fire, death, injury:
A fender flare that detaches from the vehicle while driving can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Description of the cause:
The fenders and rear-quarters may have been manufactured by the supplier with tooling that was not properly maintained, creating under/oversized attachment holes and leaving behind burrs and stray fibers in the attachment holes, which may prevent complete attachment of the fender flares at production.
Identification of any warning that can occur:
There may be an observable gap, sagging, or misalignment of the fender flare as clips begin to lose retention. There may be audible rattling, clicking, or flapping noises, particularly at highway speeds, prior to full detachment.
Chronology
On January 13, 2026, Ford was notified of a warranty claim on a model year (MY) 2026 Ford Bronco Raptor regarding the detachment of the front right hand fender flare while driving at highway speeds. The fender flares are designed for removal to accommodate certain off-road driving maneuvers. However, incomplete attachment during vehicle assembly can result in unintended front or rear fender flare detachment, which begins with a loss of clip retention between the flare and the fender or quarter panel.
On March 20, 2026, a Stop Ship was issued at Michigan Assembly Plant (MAP) for all 2026MY Ford Bronco Raptor vehicles.
On March 26, 2026, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) opened an investigation regarding fender flare detachment on 2022-2026 MY Ford Bronco Raptor vehicles.
Physical testing was conducted on fender flares that meet Ford specifications. Individual fasteners were removed to simulate the presence of burrs or stray fibers in the attachment holes that can affect proper part fitment. While a detachment was replicated, it did not occur until all 14 fasteners between the fender flare and the fender were removed in addition to the front three fasteners and the last rear fastener between the fender flare and the wheel arch liner.
The CCRG confirmed that there are no Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) requirements related to this condition.
As of June 5, 2026, Ford is aware of 370 warranty claims, 36 field reports, and two customer reports globally potentially related to a loose or detached fender flare, received from 1/10/2023 to 06/02/2026. Ford is aware of one Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ). Of the 409 total reports, there are 352 unique VINs.
On June 16, 2026, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action.
Ford is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition.
Remedy
Description of Remedy
Remedy Type: Inspect, Repair, Replace
Description of remedy program:
Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the fender flares inspected, repaired if loose, or replaced if detached. There will be no charge for this service.
How remedy component differs from recalled component:
The fasteners between the fender flare and wheel arch liners will be replaced with new push pins. If the fender flare is loose, the push pins will be replaced with new push pins between the fender flare and fender. If the fender flare is missing, a new fender flare will be installed along with the fasteners between the fender flare and wheel arch liner.
Description of recall schedule:
Notification to dealers is expected to occur on August 7, 2026. Mailing of interim owner notification letters is expected to begin August 10, 2026, and is expected to be completed by August 14, 2026. Mailing of remedy owner notification letters is expected to begin August 31, 2026, and is expected to be completed by September 4, 2026. The date VINs are planned to be searchable is August 7, 2026.
