Ford Bronco Safety Campaign for Detaching Fender Flares

Owners of certain 2022 through 2026 Ford Bronco vehicles should be aware of a newly announced safety campaign involving exterior fender flares that may not be securely attached during manufacturing.

While the issue may initially appear cosmetic, a detached fender flare can become a dangerous piece of roadway debris, creating a hazard for other motorists and increasing the risk of a collision.

What Is the Issue?

Ford Motor Company has announced that approximately 36,046 Bronco vehicles may have fender flares that were not fully secured during production.

According to Ford, the problem originated at a supplier where manufacturing tooling was not properly maintained. This allowed some fenders and rear quarter panels to be produced with attachment holes that were slightly out of specification or contained burrs and stray fibers. These manufacturing defects can prevent the retaining clips from fully engaging, allowing the fender flare to gradually loosen over time.

If enough attachment points fail, the fender flare could detach while the vehicle is in motion.

Why This Matters

A fender flare separating from a moving vehicle can become an unexpected obstacle for surrounding traffic. Drivers behind the vehicle may have little time to react, potentially leading to evasive maneuvers, secondary collisions, or property damage.

Although Ford has reported no crashes or injuries associated with this condition, the company determined that the potential safety risk warranted corrective action.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Drivers may notice several symptoms before a fender flare completely detaches, including:

• A visible gap between the fender flare and the body of the vehicle
• Sagging or misalignment of the flare
• Rattling, clicking, or flapping noises while driving
• Increased noise at highway speeds

If any of these warning signs appear, owners should have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible.

How the Problem Was Discovered

Ford's investigation began after a January 2026 warranty claim involving a 2026 Ford Bronco Raptor whose front passenger-side fender flare detached while traveling at highway speeds.

Although Bronco fender flares are intentionally designed to be removable for certain off-road applications, Ford determined that incomplete attachment during assembly could allow them to separate unintentionally during normal driving.

As part of the investigation:

• A Stop Ship order was issued on March 20, 2026, for 2026 Bronco Raptor models produced at the Michigan Assembly Plant.
• Ford's Critical Concern Review Group opened a formal engineering investigation on March 26, 2026.
• Engineers conducted extensive testing to evaluate how improper attachment could lead to flare separation.

By early June 2026, Ford had identified:

• 370 warranty claims
• 36 field reports
• 2 direct customer reports
• 1 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire submitted to NHTSA

These reports represented 352 unique vehicles worldwide. Despite the number of reports, Ford stated that it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the condition.

Ford expects to begin mailing interim owner notification letters on August 10, 2026, informing owners of the potential safety concern. A second notice will be mailed once replacement parts and the permanent repair procedure become available, which is anticipated in late August 2026.

Campaign Information

• Ford Campaign Number: 26S47
• NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-403

What Owners Should Do

If you own a 2022–2026 Ford Bronco, especially if you have noticed loose trim, unusual noises, or a misaligned fender flare, schedule an inspection with your local Ford dealership.

Even though no injuries have been reported, addressing the issue promptly can help prevent a detached component from creating a dangerous situation for you or other drivers.

If a detached fender flare contributed to a collision or caused damage before this safety campaign was announced, you may wish to preserve repair records, photographs, and other documentation and consult an attorney to better understand your legal rights.