Ford Recalls Certain Maverick and Bronco Sport Vehicles for Incorrectly Manufactured Tires

This manufacturing error leads to increased cornering stiffness (by 20 – 30 percent according to Ford Motor Company), which may result in a loss of vehicle control during evasive maneuvers. The French tire supplier admitted to using a mislabeled bobbin containing the incorrect cap ply material.

Suspect pickup trucks were produced for the 2023 model year between October 5, 2023 and October 10, 2023. As for the Bronco Sport, make that 2023 models from October 5, 2023 through October 11, 2023. Both the Maverick and Bronco Sport are now available to configure for the 2024 model year.

The iffy tires came from the Leon plant in Mexico, which is operated by Industrias Michelin SA de CV. The Critical Concern Review Group within FoMoCo started investigating the aforementioned issue on October 24, 2023, after Michelin identified 21 incorrectly manufactured 225/60 R18 tires.

Seven of those had been installed on vehicles that were delivered to dealers nationwide. Thankfully, the Dearborn-based automaker isn't aware of any reports potentially related to the recall condition. Dealers have already been instructed to check the tires and – if necessary – replace them at no cost whatsoever to affected owners. Notification letters will be mailed between April 1 and April 5, 2024.

The replacement Michelin Primacy tires feature the same part number (M1PC-1508-E1A) as the recalled tires. The service procedure lists the following suspect tire serial number bar codes: AK710533, AK710543, AK710526, AK710536, AK710551, AK710561, and AK710562. The bar code label is affixed to the bead sealing surface.

To be refreshed for model year 2025, the Maverick and Bronco Sport are both underpinned by the C2 platform of the Ford Escape. But as opposed to the compact-sized crossover, the Maverick and Bronco Sport are made in Mexico rather than the US of A.

Previously standard, the Maverick's 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain costs extra for model year 2024. Exclusively front-wheel drive, said powertrain is $1,500 pricier than the standard 2.0-liter EcoBoost, with prices kicking off at $25,315 and $23,815 (before the $1,595 destination freight charge). As opposed to an eCVT, the four-cylinder turbo is connected to a torque-converter automatic tranny.

Only the $38,390 Bronco Sport Badlands features the 2.0-liter EcoBoost, whereas the Outer Banks and lesser trim levels make do with a three-pot mill. The 1.5-liter EcoBoost may not be as refined as the four-cylinder sibling, but 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet (258 Nm) is more than adequate in a crossover the size of the Bronco Sport. At press time, the most affordable trim level available is the Big Bend at $31,230 (plus $1,595 destination).