Driveshaft CV Joint Boot Failures on Bronco

By Laura Zielinski

Many news outlets have been covering the recently announced Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 22B27, which centers on front driveshaft replacement for certain 2021 Broncos.

Need to Know

Carbuzz has the dealer notice sent on Oct. 12, 2022, as well as a sample of the letter customers will receive beginning Oct. 24, 2022. Broncos affected were produced between Sept. 3, 2020 and Sept. 17, 2021, and dealers have been instructed to replace the front driveshaft on all affected vehicles whether or not you have a letter.

To see if you need a repair prior to receiving a letter, call your dealer, mention the Customer Satisfaction Program 22B27, and give them your VIN. You can also check on issues related to your Bronco by opening the FordPass App, hitting “Service,” and looking under Customer Satisfaction Program.

Owners of affected Broncos have until Oct. 12, 2023 to have the replacement done, regardless of mileage. The repair will take approximately one hour.

More Details

Ford has explained the front driveshaft CV (constant velocity) joint boot failure is happening because of the material they used.

CV joints transfer torque to your wheels and allow them to turn and move up and down. Boots –– typically made of rubber, silicone, or plastic –– on the joints protect the splines and bearings in the assembly.

If your boot fails, the grease that keeps the components of the joint lubricated can leak out and dirt can get in. As a joint is beginning to fail, you may feel and hear vibration and clicking/clunking noises, especially on tight turns and acceleration.

Cracked boots aren’t a repair to put off, as a failed CV joint means no power to the wheel. Boots on IFS 4WD vehicles can commonly fail when off-roading (if they are punctured, the clamp comes off, etc.), but normal driving conditions should not be making this happen. Even if you get under your Bronco and see your boots are intact, head to your dealer. It’s better to maintain your vehicle now than repair a failure that can happen off-road later.

Want to see what can happen to CV joint affected by a boot issue? Hear what a failed joint sounds like and watch Wild Horses’ Mitch Creel repair the problem on his Bronco.