A 2026 Ford Bronco Raptor shed its front-right fender flare at highway speed in January 2026. That's when Ford first learned about the problem. By early June, Ford had logged 370 warranty claims across 352 unique VINs. Ford submitted the recall report on June 24, and NHTSA acknowledged campaign 26V403 on June 29, covering every Raptor built since October 2021.
That's 36,046 trucks. No accidents or injuries have been reported, but a fender flare detaching at highway speed and becoming road debris is a hazard for following traffic.
Which Raptors Are Recalled
The recall covers all Ford Bronco Raptors produced between October 2021 and May 2026, covering every 2022 through 2026 model year Raptor in that production window. Standard Broncos, Bronco Sports, and non-Raptor trims with different body cladding are not included. This is Raptor-specific.
| Model Year | Production Window | Recall Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | From October 2021 | Included |
| 2023 | Full model year | Included |
| 2024 | Full model year | Included |
| 2025 | Full model year | Included |
| 2026 | Through May 2026 | Included |
| Total | Oct 2021 to May 2026 | 36,046 vehicles |
The only way to confirm a specific VIN is covered is to run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What Fails and Why
Bronco Raptor fender flares are designed to be removable. That's intentional: pulling them allows you to run wider tires off-road without rubbing. They attach with push-pin fasteners to the front fenders and rear quarters.
The problem traces to Ventra Evart, the supplier that manufactures the Raptor's flares. Their tooling wasn't properly maintained. The result was attachment holes that were either too large or too small, with stray fibers and burrs preventing the pins from seating correctly. Per Ford's NHTSA filing, the defect is in the manufacturing process, not in any specific model year or build date subset.
NHTSA 26V403 covers 36,046 Ford Bronco Raptors built between October 2021 and May 2026 under Ford's internal recall code 26S47. A supplier tooling error at Ventra Evart left fender flare attachment holes with incorrect dimensions and surface contamination. The flares can appear fully seated but fail to retain under load at highway speed. Ford has logged 370 warranty claims and reports no injuries.
Symptoms Before a Flare Detaches
The failure isn't always sudden. Per Ford's NHTSA filing, warning signs appear before full detachment:
A visible gap or sagging between the flare and the body panel. Any flex or play when you grab the edge of the flare. A rattling, clicking, or flapping sound that starts above 50 mph and disappears at lower speeds.
If you're test-driving a used Raptor, those sounds are worth investigating, not dismissing as trail rattles.
The Remedy Timeline
Ford's fix is free. Dealers will inspect the fasteners, replace faulty push pins with updated hardware, and swap out any flare assembly that can't be re-secured. The problem is availability.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Ford recall report submitted | June 24, 2026 |
| NHTSA acknowledgment | June 29, 2026 |
| Dealer notification | August 7, 2026 |
| Interim owner letters mailed | August 10-14, 2026 |
| Remedy notification letters mailed | August 31 - September 4, 2026 |
As of July 2026, dealers do not have the replacement hardware or official repair instructions. If you bring a Raptor to a dealer today and ask about 26V403, they can confirm the recall is open. They cannot fix it yet.
What This Means If You're Buying a Used Raptor Now
Used Bronco Raptors are currently trading between $62,000 and $76,000 depending on year and mileage, per CarGurus and Carfax listings as of July 2026. At those prices, an open recall with no available remedy until late August is a material negotiating point.
Private-party sellers in most states have no legal obligation to disclose open recalls. A seller can hand you the keys to a Raptor with 26V403 open and say nothing. The responsibility to check falls entirely on you.
A few things to verify before making an offer:
Run the VIN before you negotiate. nhtsa.gov/recalls is free, takes 30 seconds, and shows whether 26V403 is open or completed for that specific truck. No remedy has been recorded on any 26V403 VIN yet because the parts haven't shipped.
Inspect all four corners during your pre-purchase walk-around. Check for visible gaps where the flare meets the body. Grab each flare edge and test for flex or play. Ford's first reported incident was the front-right flare on a 2026 model, but all four are under the recall.
During a test drive, note any rattling or flapping that appears above 50 mph and clears at lower speeds. That pattern is consistent with a flare that's lost retention.
If the seller claims the recall has been completed, ask for service documentation. A dealer invoice or repair order showing 26V403 closed is the only confirmation that counts.
If the repair isn't done, factor in the dealer visit in your timeline. The repair is free, but it requires scheduling after August 7 when dealers receive instructions.
Other Open Recalls on 2021-2026 Broncos
26V403 is not the only open campaign covering recent Broncos. NHTSA 26V299 covers approximately 16,200 2021-2022 Broncos with molded-in-color hard tops that can crack and shed pieces at highway speed. That remedy is not expected until November 2026.
If you're looking at a 2022 Bronco Raptor with an MIC hard top, run the VIN and check for both campaigns. Two simultaneous unresolved recalls on a vehicle in the $62,000-plus range changes the negotiation.
FAQ
Is it safe to drive a recalled Bronco Raptor while waiting for the repair? Ford and NHTSA have not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory for 26V403. The risk is a detached flare becoming road debris, not a hazard inside the vehicle. Get the repair scheduled once dealers receive kits after August 7.
How do I confirm whether my Bronco Raptor VIN is covered by 26V403? Enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup shows all open campaigns and records whether the remedy has been completed for that specific VIN. As of July 2026, no 26V403 remedies have been recorded. If you see the campaign listed without a completion date, the repair hasn't been done.
Does this recall cover standard Bronco trims, not just the Raptor? No. NHTSA 26V403 is specific to Broncos with the Raptor package. Standard Bronco trims, the Bronco Sport, and non-Raptor variants with different body cladding are not included.
Before you make an offer on any used Bronco Raptor, check its open recalls with the recall lookup tool. If you want alerts when a specific Raptor listing drops in price or has been sitting long enough to negotiate, CarScout subscriptions start at $5/week.
Sources: NHTSA recall 26V403 and Ford Part 573 filing dated June 24, 2026 (Ford internal code 26S47); CarGurus Bronco Raptor pricing data July 2026; Carfax used vehicle listings July 2026.