Ford Wheel Recalls Involve Loose Lug Nuts and Hub Hardware
⚠ 1 of these recalls carries a do-not-drive advisory.
These Ford wheel recalls concern three different hardware problems, with wheel detachment appearing in the Bronco/Ranger and newer stripped-chassis notices. The April 2023 notice covers certain 2023 Bronco and Ranger vehicles whose driver's-side wheel lug nuts may have been improperly tightened. Recall 18S21 concerns certain 2018 F53 stripped chassis vehicles equipped with 22.5-inch front wheels: improperly heat-treated front hub studs may break, potentially affecting handling if enough studs fail on one hub. Recall 26S27 covers certain 2025-2026 F-59 and F-53 vehicles whose front axle hub assembly may lack a spindle nut and cotter pin. The chassis models recur, but their defects differ.
Warning signs to watch for
- 2018 F53 front wheel stud recall, 18S21: vehicle handling could be affected if enough wheel studs break on one hub.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
One supplied notice carries a stop-driving instruction: the April 20, 2023 Bronco and Ranger loose lug nut recall. It advises owners not to drive affected vehicles until the remedy is completed. The 2018 F53 wheel stud recall, 18S21, and the 2025-2026 F-59 and F-53 spindle nut and cotter pin recall, 26S27, do not tell owners to stop driving. None of these notices instruct owners to park outside. The stated consequences include affected handling, wheel detachment, and loss of vehicle control.
What the free repair involves
The April 2023 Bronco and Ranger recall directs dealers to inspect and, if necessary, retighten the lug nuts. Recall 18S21 replaces suspect front wheel hub studs on affected F53 chassis. Recall 26S27 inspects and replaces the front axle spindle nut and cotter pin as necessary. Each notice states that its remedy is free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 1 |
| high | 2 |
Models affected most
Where owners report wheels problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under wheels for the Ford models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Wheels complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Ford F53 | 1 |
| 2025 Ford F-53 | 1 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 2026 | Ford F-53 and F-59 Missing Front Wheel Hub Nut | high |
| Apr 20, 2023 | Ford Bronco: Loose Lug Nuts May Cause Wheel Detachment · do not drive | critical |
| Jul 16, 2018 | Ford F53 Front Wheel Studs May Not Be Treated Correctly | high |
Common questions
Which Ford wheel recall tells owners to stop driving?
The April 20, 2023 recall for certain 2023 Bronco and Ranger vehicles advises owners not to drive until the remedy is completed. It concerns improperly tightened lug nuts on the driver's-side wheels, which may allow a wheel to detach.
What is the wheel stud problem on the 2018 Ford F53?
Recall 18S21 concerns certain 2018 F53 stripped chassis vehicles with 22.5-inch front wheels. Front hub wheel studs may not have been properly heat treated. Dealers replace suspect studs free of charge; the notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
What hardware may be missing under Ford recall 26S27?
Certain 2025-2026 F-59 and F-53 vehicles may have a front axle hub assembly missing its spindle nut and cotter pin. The notice links a missing spindle nut to brake system damage or wheel detachment. Dealers inspect and replace the hardware as necessary, free.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.