2021-2024 Ford Bronco Shock Absorber Recall (25V025)
Ford Motor Company · 149,449 vehicles · Reported January 17, 2025
Ford Motor Company is recalling 149,449 2021-2024 Ford Bronco vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir. An external reservoir that detaches from a vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 25V025 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 25V025000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 25S01 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | January 17, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2021-2024 Ford Bronco |
| Units affected | 149,449 |
| Build dates | September 23, 2020 to July 23, 2024 |
| Component | Suspension > Rear > Shock Absorber |
| Safety risk | An external reservoir that detaches from a vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2024 Ford Bronco in recall 25V025?
The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2024 Bronco with recall 25V025?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An external reservoir that detaches from a vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An external reservoir that detaches from a vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Bronco shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the shock absorber, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 25V025?
Recall 25V025 covers 149,449 vehicles: 2021-2024 Ford Bronco.
NHTSA lists 149,449 vehicles in this campaign, built September 23, 2020 to July 23, 2024. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2024 | Ford | Bronco |
What is the fix for the Bronco shock absorber recall?
Yes. Dealers will replace the rear shock absorbers, as necessary free of charge.
Dealers will replace the rear shock absorbers, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S01.
When was recall 25V025 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 25V025 to NHTSA on January 17, 2025. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as August 15, 2025.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| September 23, 2020 | First affected vehicle built (per Ford Motor Company's filing). |
| July 23, 2024 | Last affected vehicle built. |
| January 17, 2025 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 25V025000. |
| August 15, 2025 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 20 months ago, and vehicles were built over a span of 1399 days. If your Bronco was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Bronco is part of recall 25V025?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V025 is open on your Bronco, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Bronco owners do about recall 25V025?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 25V025000 applies to your Bronco.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ford dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the shock absorber happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Bronco owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 906 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 77 of them about the suspension, wheels and tires.
Since recall 25V025 was reported on January 17, 2025, owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the suspension, wheels and tires on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the suspension, wheels and tires and were received on or after January 17, 2025, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related suspension, wheels and tires issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 906 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 77 of them involve the suspension, wheels and tires. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2022 Ford Bronco: 376 complaints in total, 31 about the suspension, wheels and tires
- 2021 Ford Bronco: 229 complaints in total, 23 about the suspension, wheels and tires
- 2023 Ford Bronco: 226 complaints in total, 16 about the suspension, wheels and tires
- 2024 Ford Bronco: 75 complaints in total, 7 about the suspension, wheels and tires
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was swerving all over the road. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact became aware that there was oil on the ground underneath the vehicle.
2021 Ford Bronco owner, NY, NHTSA complaint 11643713, filed February 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V635000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 25V025000 (Suspension); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
2021 Ford Bronco owner, PA, NHTSA complaint 11643846, filed February 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V025000 (Suspension); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
2021 Ford Bronco owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11646181, filed March 4, 2025
Can recall 25V025 make my Bronco a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 25V025000 does not automatically make your Bronco a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
If a suspension or wheel problem on the 2021-2024 Ford Bronco returns after the recall work, keep the repair orders. Repeat visits for the same defect are what California's lemon law looks at.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021-2024 Ford Bronco has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Bronco went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Bronco been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford Bronco recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 25V025
Did the recall 25V025 fix work?
Since recall 25V025 was reported on January 17, 2025, owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the suspension, wheels and tires on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed August 15, 2025.
Is the 25V025000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Bronco is part of recall 25V025000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 25V025000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.