The Ford Bronco has spent the past few years reestablishing itself as a household name as Ford’s off-road icon—but now, more than 160,000 owners are being called back to the dealership for a much less adventurous reason. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a recall for 2021–2023 Ford Bronco models due to a critical issue involving loose or missing seat frame bolts that could compromise occupant safety.
Recall Targets Seat Adjustment Pivot Bolt
According to the NHTSA’s official filing (Campaign Number 25V721000), the defect centers on the height-adjust pivot bolt in the front seats. In affected vehicles, the bolt may be loose or even completely dislodged, meaning the seat might not properly restrain the driver or passenger in the event of a crash. The agency warns that this increases the risk of injury—especially during sudden stops or collisions. It doesn’t take an explanation from me to understand the dangers of an improperly secured seat in any vehicle, much less a 4×4 off-road adventure machine.
Which Ford Broncos Are Recalled?
The recall affects an estimated 163,256 Bronco SUVs built between 2021 and 2023. The issue doesn’t appear to impact other Ford models built on the same platform, such as the Ranger pickup, but Ford has yet to provide details on whether additional models will be investigated.
Ford’s official recall number for the issue is 25SB5, and the automaker says it will notify owners in two stages. Interim letters outlining the safety concern will begin arriving by December 1, 2025, while final repair instructions will follow once the permanent fix is ready.
The Fix Is Free, Of Course
Dealers will replace the seat pivot links and bolts free of charge, ensuring that both driver and passenger seats meet proper safety standards. Owners can check if their vehicle is included by visiting NHTSA.gov/recalls or calling Ford customer service directly at 1-866-436-7332. VINs associated with the recall became searchable on NHTSA’s site beginning October 28, 2025.
Any loose bolt is a problem on a new car. It simply shouldn’t happen. But the seat structure, in particular, plays a key role in how airbags, seatbelts, and overall crash protection systems function. If the seat shifts unexpectedly or fails to hold its position in a crash, all that safety R&D and engineering goes out the window and so might you. Ford’s recall aims to correct that risk before it leads to injuries—or worse.
This isn’t the first time the revived Bronco has found itself in recall territory. Since its 2021 launch, the SUV has faced several service campaigns ranging from roof panel defects to rear suspension issues. Still, the Bronco remains one of Ford’s hottest-selling off-roaders, and the company appears intent on addressing safety issues quickly.
For now, Bronco owners are encouraged to avoid adjusting seat height until repairs are complete and to schedule a service appointment once Ford issues its follow-up notice.
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