Ford Bronco Raptor Recall Summary
- Who is affected: Owners of 2022–2026 Ford Bronco Raptor SUVs built between October 1, 2021 and May 6, 2026
- What is the defect: Fender flares may not be properly secured due to a supplier tooling error during manufacturing. Flares can detach while the vehicle is driven at highway speed, creating road debris and a hazard for other vehicles
- Recall size: 36,046 U.S. vehicles
- Estimated defect rate: Ford estimates approximately 4% of the recalled vehicles have the defect
- Fix status: Pending. Final remedy (free dealer inspection and fender flare repair or replacement) anticipated late August 2026. VIN lookup available August 7, 2026. Owner notification letters expected August 10, 2026.
- Check your VIN: NHTSA VIN lookup | Think you may have a lemon law claim? Contact The Margarian Law Firm
- California Bronco Raptor owners: If you have experienced fender flare looseness, detachment, or related damage, contact The Margarian Law Firm for a free case evaluation
What triggered this recall?
Ford Motor Company filed NHTSA recall 26V403 covering 2022–2026 Ford Bronco Raptor SUVs built between October 1, 2021 and May 6, 2026. Ford’s internal recall number is 26S47.
The defect originates at the supplier level. The fender flares on the Bronco Raptor are manufactured by Ventra Evart, a subsidiary of Flex-n-Gate, a major Tier 1 automotive parts supplier. During a specific manufacturing window, a tooling error at the Ventra Evart facility resulted in flares that were not properly designed to seat the push pins and fasteners that secure them to the vehicle body. As a result, the attachment points may be weaker than the specification requires.
At highway speeds, aerodynamic forces place significant load on body panels and exterior trim. A fender flare that is not properly secured can separate from the vehicle while driving. A detached fender flare on the highway creates road debris that poses a risk to other drivers and motorcyclists behind the vehicle. The flares themselves are substantial trim pieces.
Ford estimates approximately 4% of the 36,046 recalled vehicles (roughly 1,440 units) currently have the defect. The remaining vehicles may have flares that were manufactured correctly but are included in the recall as a precaution given the supplier tooling issue and the difficulty of identifying affected units without inspection.
As of July 8, 2026, NHTSA’s record states that the final remedy is anticipated in late August 2026. The planned fix is a free dealer inspection. Vehicles found to have defective or improperly seated fender flare fasteners will have those components repaired or replaced at no cost. Owners can check VIN eligibility beginning August 7, 2026, and owner notification letters are expected to begin August 10, 2026.
Sources: NHTSA Recall 26V403 | Autoblog | BizzyCar
Which vehicles are included in this recall?
This recall covers only the Bronco Raptor trim, not all Ford Bronco models.
- 2022–2026 Ford Bronco Raptor: built between October 1, 2021 and May 6, 2026
- Total U.S. vehicles affected: 36,046
- Estimated vehicles with defect: Approximately 4% (~1,440 vehicles)
VIN lookup becomes available at nhtsa.gov/vin-lookup beginning August 7, 2026. Owner notification letters are scheduled to begin August 10–14, 2026, with remedy notification letters following August 31–September 4, 2026. If you have noticed any looseness, rattling, or misalignment in your Bronco Raptor’s fender flares, contact your dealer before the notification window opens.
What should Ford Bronco Raptor owners do right now?
- Visually inspect your fender flares: Look for visible gaps, sagging, misalignment, or any sign that the flares are not flush with the vehicle body. Listen for rattling, clicking, or flapping at highway speeds
- Check your VIN starting August 7: Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/vin-lookup beginning August 7, 2026 to confirm coverage
- Contact your Ford dealer proactively: The final remedy is anticipated in late August 2026. Do not wait for the notification letter if you have any concerns about flare looseness. Ask your dealer about the recall. The inspection and repair will be free of charge.
- Avoid highway driving if flares appear loose: If you have already noticed flare looseness, minimize highway driving until after the inspection
- Document any pre-existing damage or incidents: If a flare has already detached or caused damage, photograph and document it before visiting the dealer
- Keep all repair documentation: Retain the dealer repair order confirming the inspection and any replacement parts installed
For recall status and repair scheduling, contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. For questions about your legal rights, contact The Margarian Law Firm.
Why the timing of this recall matters for your legal rights
Ford has filed this recall and acknowledged the defect, but the final remedy is not yet available. Owners are in a waiting period that could extend into late August 2026. That window has legal significance under California’s lemon law.
California law does not require you to wait for a recall remedy to be available before you can assert your rights. If your Bronco Raptor has had a fender flare detach, if your dealer has confirmed defective fastening hardware, or if you have experienced related dealer visits for this issue, those repair attempts count toward your lemon law claim regardless of whether the recall remedy has been completed. The manufacturer’s own recall filing is an official acknowledgment that the defect exists.
What you should do during this window: document everything. If your flares show any looseness or misalignment, report it to the dealer in writing before the remedy is available. Each documented dealer visit strengthens your position. Keep your repair orders, any service records related to body panel or trim issues, and any correspondence with the dealer.
If you believe your vehicle qualifies for relief under California’s lemon law, contact The Margarian Law Firm now. You do not need to wait for the recall to be completed to begin that conversation.
Could this recall affect your lemon law rights?
Not every recall directly leads to a lemon law claim. Whether this recall matters for your specific legal situation depends on your vehicle’s repair history and whether the defect has affected your vehicle’s use, value, or safety.
Fender flare detachment at highway speed is not a purely cosmetic issue. It represents a body integrity defect that creates a road hazard. For California Bronco Raptor owners whose flares have already detached, or whose dealer has confirmed defective fastening hardware, this recall establishes an official acknowledgment of the defect. If you have had repeat issues with body panels or exterior trim, or if your dealer has had difficulty sourcing replacement parts and your vehicle has been out of service as a result, those facts are relevant to a lemon law analysis.
If you have experienced a detached flare, repeat looseness after a prior repair, or any dealer difficulty in resolving the issue, contact The Margarian Law Firm to have your situation reviewed.
Could your Ford Bronco Raptor qualify? A quick self-check
- Have you experienced a detached or partially detached fender flare?
- Has your dealer attempted to repair the flare attachment more than once?
- Have you noticed loose, rattling, or misaligned fender flares and reported it to the dealer?
- Has your vehicle been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days for any reason?
- Is your vehicle still within the manufacturer’s warranty period?
If you answered yes to any of the above, you may be entitled to compensation under California’s lemon law. Contact The Margarian Law Firm for a free case evaluation.
If your vehicle qualifies, California law requires the manufacturer to pay your attorney fees, meaning representation typically costs you nothing out of pocket.
What California’s lemon law actually covers →
Get a free, honest case assessment
California Ford Bronco Raptor owner?
If you have experienced fender flare detachment or looseness, or if you want to understand your rights in connection with this recall, The Margarian Law Firm can help.
Our firm practices exclusively in California automotive consumer law, including lemon law, dealer fraud, and automotive class actions. That exclusive focus means deeper case knowledge, greater litigation resources, and a track record built entirely on cases like yours.
Frequently asked questions
Does this recall cover all Ford Broncos or only the Raptor?
This recall covers only the Ford Bronco Raptor trim. It does not cover standard Ford Bronco models (Base, Black Diamond, Badlands, Wildtrak, Outer Banks, Heritage, or other trims). If you own a Bronco that is not the Raptor, your vehicle is not included in recall 26V403.
How will I know if my specific Bronco Raptor has the defect?
Ford estimates approximately 4% of the 36,046 recalled vehicles have the defect. The only way to confirm whether your specific vehicle’s fender flares are affected is through a dealer inspection, which is free of charge under the recall. VIN lookup to confirm recall coverage becomes available August 7, 2026, at nhtsa.gov/vin-lookup.
What is the fix?
The planned remedy is a free dealer inspection of the fender flare fastening hardware. Vehicles with defective or improperly seated push pins and fasteners will have those components repaired or replaced at no cost. As of July 8, 2026, NHTSA’s record states the final remedy is anticipated in late August 2026. VIN lookup becomes available August 7, 2026, and owner notification letters are expected to begin August 10, 2026.
What caused the defect?
The defect originated at the Ventra Evart manufacturing facility (a Flex-n-Gate subsidiary). A tooling error during the production of the fender flares resulted in some units where the push pins and fasteners that secure the flares to the vehicle body cannot be properly seated. Flares produced with this error may not hold securely at highway speeds.
Can I still drive my Bronco Raptor before the recall repair?
Ford has not issued a stop-drive order. However, if you have noticed any looseness, rattling, or visible gaps around your fender flares, you should avoid sustained highway driving until after the dealer inspection. At highway speeds, aerodynamic forces can cause a loosely attached flare to separate from the vehicle.
What if my fender flare already detached and caused damage?
If your flare has already detached and caused damage to your vehicle or another vehicle, document the incident thoroughly with photographs and contact your Ford dealer. Document any related repair orders. Contact The Margarian Law Firm to discuss whether the incident and any repair history supports a lemon law claim.
Official sources and further reading
- NHTSA consumer recall record 26V403
- Autoblog: Ford Bronco Raptor fender flare recall
- BizzyCar: June 2026 Ford Recall for Bronco Raptor Fender Flare Detachment
- NHTSA VIN Lookup Tool