Ford Bronco Recall Issued Over Risk of Shock Absorber Reservoir Falling Off

More than 550 warranty claims have been reported involving problems with the external reservoirs detaching.

Federal highway safety officials have announced a recall impacting nearly 150,000 Ford Broncos, due to a problem with the rear shock absorbers, which may cause parts to come loose, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of an auto accident.

The impacted vehicles are equipped with rear shock absorbers, which play a critical role in ensuring a smooth and stable ride by managing how the vehicle’s springs move.

These shock absorbers include important parts like the mounting flange that attaches them to the suspension system, the main body that contains the working mechanisms, and an external reservoir that helps regulate fluid temperature for better performance and durability.

However, officials are warning that certain model year Bronco vehicles could experience rear shock absorber failures, which can compromise vehicle stability that could cause drivers to lose control of the vehicle.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a Ford Bronco recall on January 24, warning that design flaws in the rear shock absorbers may make them more prone to corrosion. This corrosion can weaken the external reservoir attachments, potentially causing fluid leaks near the rear wheels and the reservoir to detach from the vehicle.

Ford became aware of the issue on October 31, 2024, when NHTSA’s Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) contacted the manufacturer about reports from four vehicle owners regarding rear shock absorber failures in Ford Broncos. Three of these reports specifically mentioned the external reservoir detaching from the vehicle.

The company investigated the issue from November to December 2024, and discovered that certain shock absorbers used on Ford Bronco vehicles were prone to crevice corrosion between the external reservoir, mounting flange and damper body.

While Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the defect, the automaker has received 551 warranty claims, one field report and two customer reports related to the issue, according to the recall report (PDF).

On January 10, 2025, Ford approved a field action to address the issue and initiated a voluntary recall on January 24, affecting 149,449 model year 2021 through 2024 Ford Bronco vehicles.

Drivers are being advised to watch for signs of a bouncy ride, noise or fluid leaking near the rear wheels, as these may indicate the external reservoir is detaching.

Although an official repair has not been announced, Ford plans to start sending recall notification letters to customers on February 3, 2025.

Ford’s number for this recall is 25S01. Customers may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332, or the company’s contact for this recall, Dusty Gardner, via email at dusty.gardner@dot.gov.

Owners with any additional questions may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.