Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for over 179,000 Bronco and Ranger vehicles in the United States. The recall stems from a seat defect that could increase injury risk in a crash.
The affected vehicles include certain 2021-2024 Ford Bronco and Ford Ranger models. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the front seat belt pretensioner may not properly secure an occupant.
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Ford said the issue involves a manufacturing error in the seat belt pretensioner assembly. In some cases, the pretensioner may not function as intended during a collision.
The company first identified the problem during internal testing in March 2026. Engineers discovered that a small batch of pretensioners could fail to lock correctly.
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Which Models Are Affected
The recall covers approximately 179,000 vehicles in the U.S. market. Ford said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries linked to the defect.
- Ford Bronco: 2021-2024 model years
- Ford Ranger: 2021-2024 model years
Owners can check if their vehicle is included by visiting the NHTSA recall website or Ford’s recall portal. The recall number is 26S-123.
Ford will notify affected owners by mail starting May 15, 2026. Dealers will inspect the seat belt pretensioner and replace it free of charge.
Root Cause and Fix
The defect traces back to a supplier’s production line. A subcontractor failed to follow quality control procedures during assembly.
Ford’s investigation found that the pretensioner’s locking mechanism could be improperly aligned. This misalignment prevents the device from engaging fully in a crash.
Industry watchers note that this recall is relatively narrow in scope. The fix is straightforward and does not require replacing the entire seat assembly.
Ford said the repair takes about 30 minutes. Dealers have been instructed to prioritize the recall work.
Recall History and Costs
This is not Ford’s first recall involving seat components. The company recalled 1.3 million vehicles in 2023 for a rearview camera issue.
Ford estimates the total cost of this recall at $18 million. That figure includes parts, labor, and notification expenses.
The company’s stock price fell 0.8% in after-hours trading on May 1, 2026, following the announcement. Analysts at JPMorgan called the financial impact “manageable” for Ford.
What this means for investors is that the recall is unlikely to materially affect Ford’s earnings. The company set aside $1.2 billion for warranty costs in 2026.
What Owners Should Do
Ford recommends that owners schedule a service appointment at their local dealership. The repair is free.
Until the fix is applied, drivers should ensure their seat belt is properly fastened. The defect only affects the pretensioner, not the belt itself.
Owners can also call Ford’s customer service line at 1-866-436-7332 for more information. The NHTSA hotline is 1-888-327-4236.
Ford has not issued a stop-drive order. Vehicles are safe to operate as long as the seat belt is used correctly.
This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.
