Recall: Rear Shock Absorber External Reservoir Corrosion (Safety Recall 25S01 - January 21, 2025)

[nrlucas]

Well...since the dealership suggested it, I reached out to Ford support through Facebook. Their response was the same garbage I already know. "sometime in Q3....blah blah blah". So I guess I'm going to be submitting a complaint to the NHTSA. According to the NHTSA letter in response to the original recall notification (found here: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCAK-25V025-4413.pdf)

"Please be reminded that under 49 U.S.C. § 30112(a)(3), it is illegal for a manufacturer, to sell, offer for sale, import, or introduce or deliver into interstate commerce, a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment that contains a safety defect once the manufacturer has notified NHTSA about that safety defect. This prohibition does not apply once the motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment has been remedied according to the manufacturer's instructions."

I would argue that, since I had it at the dealership, and it was given back to me in defective order, that would fall under "introduce or deliver into interstate commerce, a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment that contains a safety defect once the manufacturer has notified NHTSA about that safety defect.".

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[Way2Fast]

Well...since the dealership suggested it, I reached out to Ford support through Facebook. Their response was the same garbage I already know. "sometime in Q3....blah blah blah". So I guess I'm going to be submitting a complaint to the NHTSA. According to the NHTSA letter in response to the original recall notification (found here: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCAK-25V025-4413.pdf)

"Please be reminded that under 49 U.S.C. § 30112(a)(3), it is illegal for a manufacturer, to sell, offer for sale, import, or introduce or deliver into interstate commerce, a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment that contains a safety defect once the manufacturer has notified NHTSA about that safety defect. This prohibition does not apply once the motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment has been remedied according to the manufacturer's instructions."

I would argue that, since I had it at the dealership, and it was given back to me in defective order, that would fall under "introduce or deliver into interstate commerce, a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment that contains a safety defect once the manufacturer has notified NHTSA about that safety defect.".

You need to find another Ford Dealer. My service guy arranged for me to order the shocks and said Ford would reimburse me. He showed me the communication from Ford saying it would be covered under warranty. Since I was out of the original warranty, they said they would reimburse me. I then showed the service rep my full coverage extended warranty and they were replaced under that for my $100 deductible

 

[The Canadian]

They have shown me that customers are the lowest priority possible. And I'm not going to sit on the phone for god knows how long, to advocate for myself. Ford Dealerships are the customer interface for Ford, and they should be advocating for their customers.

Well, I can tell you how long is “gods knows how long”. I easily spent a month on emails and phone calls with Ford Canada and the dealership. And the dealership did not offer that option. They just shut the door in my face (figuratively speaking, of course! They were all very polite even though I was noticeably pissed! Worth noting that Ford canada trains their reps to the highest standards. It definitely shows! I didn’t get what I wanted but I still felt compelled to provide written positive feedback for the way they handle the situation!)
Bottom line, I tend to agree with you. But I still believe that we owe those phone calls to all fellow drivers. I was led to understand that Ford (or any other manufacturer for that matter) would not do anything unless there are enough complaints to get them to consider that there is in fact an issue. Volume is the key.

 

[Tonka Bronka]

While I appreciate the video, I'm not giving more money to the company whose current product I've had fail twice. Fool me thrice? No thanks!

I can appreciate that. If I thought that there was a better, more cost effective option, I also would have gone with a different brand. The reality is, Bilstein can and do make quality products, but not the ones they sold to Ford. Thanks for watching.

 

[dsco]

I would definitely NOT recommend driving with the shocks blown. On the highway, even minor bumps or dips can throw the rear end into a skid. This happened to us yesterday and was terrifying. The antilock breaks engaged and sent us into a skid at 65 MPH. Very not cool. Once the reservoirs fall off and the fluid is out then is is very unsafe, bouncy, and difficult to control at speeds over 50 mph. It also causes additional wear and tear on the suspension system, alignment, and tires. Completely unacceptable there is no fix issues. Just spend an hour on the phone as we have an upcoming move next month and cannot wait until Q3 for a solution. It's virtually undrivable and Ford suggested a "buy back" program for our 2021 Non-SAS Badlands with only 24k miles. Really bummed out and not sure what to do next.

Once you feel the shocks go, it will be very bouncy and unsafe at higher speeds.

 

[Beach_Bum]

I would definitely NOT recommend driving with the shocks blown. On the highway, even minor bumps or dips can throw the rear end into a skid. This happened to us yesterday and was terrifying. The antilock breaks engaged and sent us into a skid at 65 MPH. Very not cool. Once the reservoirs fall off and the fluid is out then is is very unsafe, bouncy, and difficult to control at speeds over 50 mph. It also causes additional wear and tear on the suspension system, alignment, and tires. Completely unacceptable there is no fix issues. Just spend an hour on the phone as we have an upcoming move next month and cannot wait until Q3 for a solution. It's virtually undrivable and Ford suggested a "buy back" program for our 2021 Non-SAS Badlands with only 24k miles. Really bummed out and not sure what to do next.

Once you feel the shocks go, it will be very bouncy and unsafe at higher speeds.

There is nothing stopping you from ordering a set of coilovers and having them installed before your move.

 

[Way2Fast]

I would definitely NOT recommend driving with the shocks blown. On the highway, even minor bumps or dips can throw the rear end into a skid. This happened to us yesterday and was terrifying. The antilock breaks engaged and sent us into a skid at 65 MPH. Very not cool. Once the reservoirs fall off and the fluid is out then is is very unsafe, bouncy, and difficult to control at speeds over 50 mph. It also causes additional wear and tear on the suspension system, alignment, and tires. Completely unacceptable there is no fix issues. Just spend an hour on the phone as we have an upcoming move next month and cannot wait until Q3 for a solution. It's virtually undrivable and Ford suggested a "buy back" program for our 2021 Non-SAS Badlands with only 24k miles. Really bummed out and not sure what to do next.

Once you feel the shocks go, it will be very bouncy and unsafe at higher speeds.

Ford replaced my shocks (both reservoirs were gone) under my extended warranty. When the new design comes out, they will replace with the new ones.

 

[ad010100ad]

I would definitely NOT recommend driving with the shocks blown. On the highway, even minor bumps or dips can throw the rear end into a skid. This happened to us yesterday and was terrifying. The antilock breaks engaged and sent us into a skid at 65 MPH. Very not cool. Once the reservoirs fall off and the fluid is out then is is very unsafe, bouncy, and difficult to control at speeds over 50 mph. It also causes additional wear and tear on the suspension system, alignment, and tires. Completely unacceptable there is no fix issues. Just spend an hour on the phone as we have an upcoming move next month and cannot wait until Q3 for a solution. It's virtually undrivable and Ford suggested a "buy back" program for our 2021 Non-SAS Badlands with only 24k miles. Really bummed out and not sure what to do next.

Once you feel the shocks go, it will be very bouncy and unsafe at higher speeds.

Buyback program? i’m assuming they low ball you with an offer?
has anyone gone through this process before?

 

[Rockledge]

After reading this from page !. I do have a question?
For those who have already swapped out their shocks to aftermarket- what will happen to this recall? It was stated that the dealer will not clear the recall unless they put the new shocks on- if not that would be fraud.
I have new coil overs sitting in my garage just waiting to be put on. Thanks !

 

[Leafy]

After reading this from page !. I do have a question?
For those who have already swapped out their shocks to aftermarket- what will happen to this recall? It was stated that the dealer will not clear the recall unless they put the new shocks on- if not that would be fraud.
I have new coil overs sitting in my garage just waiting to be put on. Thanks !

as a few of us have said in the thread. If you were forced to replace your shocks with aftermarket ones at your own expense to remediate the issue you call then phone number on your warranty letter and negotiate reimbursement with ford that will be paid to you by your dealer.

 

[Ducati1098]

After reading this from page !. I do have a question?
For those who have already swapped out their shocks to aftermarket- what will happen to this recall?

It will either remain open until the recall is performed, or your dealer should be able to contact someone at Ford (SSSC) who will verify the faulty shocks are no longer installed and close the recall.

 

[dsco]

I can report back on the offer.

Problem is, I've been pretty kind to the Bronco so far. Of course I've taken it offroad (bc that's why I bought a badlands) and I've knocked it around a bit on some trails in Vermont, but I've owned the vehicle for 4 years and only put 24k miles on her.

I don't want to sell it back. It's a 4 year old vehicle that's paid off. I've also added over 4k in mods so most likely will try @Leafy's advice, pay out of pocket, and look around for that warranty phone number.

Just a huge headache with the worst possible timing for our family.

Edit: FWIW we also submitted a complaint to the NHTSA. So much for consumer protection these days. Seems these corporations can do whatever the fux they want. (e.g., no fix is available so you are on your own for the next 3-4 months with no vehicle).

Bumper to bumper expired for us.

 

[dsco]

Just to close the loop and in case it helps others.

Contacted Ford Corporate Customer Service
- They said nothing they could do except issue a buy-back
- Buy Back was denied because I was past the 18 month window in Massachusetts
- Kenneth "the useless" Bellard Jr. from Ford CS confirmed there was nothing Ford could do and suggested I contact the Better Business Bureau
- I reached out once more to confirm and see if there were any other options we could explore
- Kenneth "the useless" did not return my calls or emails (his signature is posted below if anyone wants a shitty experience)

I contacted the Better Business Bureau and filed a complaint.

Separately, I dropped the vehicle off at my local Ford Service Department and was quoted $2700 to fix the issue with the shocks. All parts needed to be replaced with the same defective parts. I had no option left (as previously mentioned, vehicle was not drivable on highway) so I asked them to proceed with the repairs.

Ford contacted me 7 business days later after not returning any calls or emails and offered to cover the repair cost but not the parts, leaving me with a bill of $820.

Ford contacted me again and said they would no longer reimburse the repair because I had contacted the BBB.

I returned to the service department and gave them two options. I would pay nothing and take my vehicle or I would pay the $820 (and they could figure it out with corporate). They reluctantly agreed to take the $820 (instead of nothing because I would have driven it off the lot either way).

Kenneth "the useless" from Ford CS contacted me again and said they would cover the repair but not the parts, leaving me with the $820 I had already paid.

BBB contacted me and said Ford is finally going to reimburse the $820 in a check payment that will take 45 days or so to arrive (rather than arbitration).

This is the last Ford vehicle I will purchase. The service department was great by the way, it was Ford's Corporate Customer Service department that wanted to play games and deny, deny, deny. The service guys were as helpful as they could be (given the circumstances)

So much for being an early adopter ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Kenneth "the useless" J. Bellard Jr.
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center-PV Concern
[email protected]| www.ford.com
Office: 1-866-631-3788 ext.78969

 

[crenca]

All parts needed to be replaced with the same defective parts. I had no option left (as previously mentioned, vehicle was not drivable on highway) so I asked them to proceed with the repairs.

Just for anyone reading this, another option would have been Bilstein 5100's or 6100's (depending upon trim of your Bronco) instead of stock shocks, with work done local shop if dealer was not willing...

 

[Cygnusx1]

New rear shocks are not tremendously expensive. Why would you want a buyback on a car you like instead of putting two new shocks on?

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