The NHTSA says faulty batteries could increase the likelihood of a crash for owners.
In the latest Ford Motor Company recall, the major automaker names almost 275,000 SUVs and pickup trucks for potentially faulty batteries. The 12V batteries aboard certain Ford Maverick compact pickup trucks and Bronco Sport SUVs could fail, “increasing the risk of a crash.”
A new Ford recall affects 272,817 Maverick and Bronco Sport models
The Ford Motor Company issued a recall for two of its popular unibody models, the Maverick and Bronco Sport. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), affected vehicles may have battery failure.
Specifically, the NHTSA reports that the recall names 272,817 Mavericks and Bronco Sports between the 2021 and 2023 model years. “The 12V battery may experience degradation and suddenly fail, which can result in a loss of electrical accessories, including the hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash,” per the NHTSA.
| Recall model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Maverick | 2022, 2023 |
| Ford Bronco Sport | 2021, 2022, 2023 |
The news of the Ford recall follows a notice for 11,922 F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks. However, while the Maverick and Bronco Sport may exhibit 12V battery failure, the Blue Oval named the F-150 Lightning for suspension issues. Troublingly, the upper control arm could detach from the knuckle while driving, dramatically increasing the likelihood of a crash.
Fortunately, like other recalls, Ford says its dealer network will inspect and replace any faulty 12V batteries for free. Owners can expect notification letters soon. However, recall information is available online.
If suspect your vehicle could qualify for a remedy, you can use a lookup tool to verify your recall status. Vehicle owners can use the NHTSA VIN lookup tool to find their recall status with a VIN, vehicle details, or a state-issued license plate number.
