Ford has recalled 179,698 vehicles due to a problem with the height adjustment pivot bolts that may become loose, causing one or both front seats to dislodge.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall report highlights the risks drivers and occupants face if the seat dislodges, which could lead to serious injuries.
The affected Ford vehicle models include:
- 12,289 units of the 2024 Ford Ranger
- 49,916 units of the 2025 Ford Ranger
- 50 units of the 2026 Ford Ranger
- 25,704 units of the 2024 Ford Bronco
- 91,669 units of the 2025 Ford Bronco
- 70 units of the 2026 Ford Bronco
Owners affected by the issue have been advised to look out for the symptoms listed in the report.
NHTSA Recall Report Highlights Root Cause of the Problem
According to the recall report, the seat issue is related to “one or more of the seat frame height adjustment pivot bolts may become loose and eventually dislodge on one or both front seats.”
In case a seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt comes off the pivot joint, it could increase the risk of injury during a crash. The root cause of the problem has been traced back to a check conducted by the supplier. The report stated:
“The seat structure assembly supplier initiated a process to check the torque of the front seat frame height adjustment pivot bolts. This action inadvertently disrupted the curing of the adhesive patch on the threaded fastener, which can allow a pivot bolt to loosen over time and eventually dislodge.”
Ford vehicle owners affected by the problem are advised to look out for squeaks, looseness, or rattles.
The recall report states that Ford continued monitoring the seat problem on other models after approving a recall last year for front seat pivot bolts that may become loose. It read:
“On October 17, 2025, Ford approved safety recall 25SB5 (NHTSA 25V721) to address a population of vehicles produced from 2020 to 2022 with front seat pivot bolts that may be loose.
“Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) continued to monitor an additional population of vehicles that were produced in 2024 and 2025 during the time a torque check for the front seat pivot bolts was in place at
the seat structure assembly supplier.
“On March 13, 2026, the CCRG confirmed an increasing number of warranty reports for the monitor period. Upon investigation, CCRG discovered the torque check at the supplier was performed before the thread adhesive patch was fully cured, preventing full effectiveness of the adhesive patch.
“The CCRG investigation studied the design and performance of the joint and determined that the compromised thread adhesive patch, in conjunction with vibration associated with road loads, may result in a reduced break-way torque that can lead to loosening of the front seat pivot bolts.”
As of April 10, 2026, Ford has received 60 warranty claims and one field report, “representing 59 unique VINS, for Ford Bronco and Ford Ranger vehicles produced during the time the supplier torque check was in effect. The reports were received from June 2, 2025 to March 27, 2026.”
The NHTSA confirmed that Ford is not aware of incidents or injuries related to the loose seat bolts.
What Can Ford Bronco and Ford Ranger Owners Do?
Ford Bronco and Ford Ranger owners whose vehicles have been included in the recall report will be notified by mail. They will be asked to visit a Ford or Lincoln dealer, where both front seats will be removed to “inspect the seat cushion height-adjust link pivot bolts per technical instructions.”
The height-adjust link and pivot bolts will be replaced if any of them fail inspection. Customers will not be charged for the service. As for the timeline of mailing the letters to the owners, the report stated:
“Mailing of interim owner notification letters is expected to begin May 11, 2026, and is expected to be completed by May 15, 2026. Mailing of remedy owner notification letters is expected to begin July 13, 2026 and is expected to be completed by July 17, 2026.”