Ford Recalls 270K Broncos, Mavericks Over Battery Defect
Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for 272,827 of its Bronco Sport SUVs and Maverick pickups due to a manufacturing defect in their 12-volt batteries.
The flaw, which affects vehicles made between February 2021 and October 2023, can cause sudden power loss, potentially leaving drivers stranded or unable to start their vehicles.
Newsweek has contacted Ford via email for comment.
Why It Matters
This recall is the latest in a series of quality control issues for Ford. In November 2024, the automaker announced it would undergo an independent third-party review of its recall processes following a $165 million federal penalty—one of the largest in history—over delays in recalling products for previous safety concerns. Scrutiny over Ford’s previous handling of recalls have included power loss issues in Bronco Sports and Mavericks before.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) previously flagged problems with power loss in earlier recalls of 2021-2023 Bronco Sports and 2022-2023 Mavericks. In those cases, vehicle systems, including hazard lights, failed without warning. As part of its current remedy, Ford is implementing software updates to improve the detection of battery issues and warn drivers of potential failures.
The Ford logo is seen on the glass facade of a car dealership in Frankfurt, Germany, on November 1, 2019.
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What to Know
The recall covers multiple models, including the 2021-2023 Bronco Sport SUVs and 2022-2023 Maverick trucks. The defects involve the degradation of each model’s 12-volt batteries, which can fail unexpectedly.
The defect, linked to Chinese battery supplier Camel Battery, involves internal manufacturing issues, including weld failures that can result in open circuits. The NHTSA reported no accidents, fires, or injuries related to the defect but noted that it affects approximately 1 percent of the recalled vehicles.
Dealers will inspect and replace the faulty batteries free of charge.
This latest action follows a history of similar recalls by Ford. In April 2022, the company recalled 457,000 Bronco Sports and Mavericks due to separate power loss concerns. Additionally, the automaker addressed issues with its Ford Focus line in 2018 and 2019 due to powertrain defects that led to sudden power loss.
Beyond the battery defect, Ford faces other financial concerns.
In November 2024, the company announced plans to cut 4,000 jobs in Europe and the United Kingdom by the end of 2027, attributing the decision to sluggish electric vehicle (EV) sales, overall sales, economic pressures, and Chinese competition in the automotive sector.
The automaker said most layoffs would occur across their two German plants.
“The global auto industry continues to be in a period of significant disruption as it shifts to electrified mobility,” Ford said in a statement. The transformation “is particularly intense in Europe, where automakers face significant competitive and economic headwinds, while also tackling a misalignment between CO2 regulations and consumer demand for electrified vehicles.”
What’s Happens Next
Ford customers impacted by this recall are encouraged to contact their local dealerships for inspections. With over 200,000 vehicles affected, the inspection and repair process could extend over several months.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
https://www.newsweek.com/ford-recall-bronco-mavericks-battery-defect-2025-2020278
