Model Years

2021 Ford Bronco Recalls and Problems

NHTSA lists 20 safety recalls and 229 owner complaints for the 2021 Ford Bronco.

20Safety recalls
229Owner complaints
6Complaints citing a crash
3Complaints citing a fire

Opens NHTSA's lookup in a new tab; your VIN goes to NHTSA, not to us. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard, the door jamb and your registration. Safety recall repairs are free at Ford dealers.

Data: NHTSA recall and complaint filesUpdated Sep 27, 2026

Recalled components: engine, body structure, powertrain, backover prevention and rearview camera, and 9 more. Most-reported area: engine (69 complaints, 30%). Excludes the smaller Bronco Sport.

20 safety recalls for the 2021 Ford Bronco

Newest first. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for the fix and the full notice.

Engine

Jul 20, 2026

The engine compartment wiring harness may become damaged and short circuit.

Risk: A short circuit in the engine compartment can create heat or spark, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Dealers will install sheathing over the wiring, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2026 Bronco Raptor notified owners on 7/31/2026. Phase 2 will include 2021-2025 Bronco Raptor vehicle will notify owners on or about 8/14/2026. Phase 3 will include 2021-2026 Bronco will notify owners on or about 9/1/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S55. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 23, 2026.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor vehicles.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Components: Electrical system: wiring, front underhood; Engine. Ford campaign 26S55.

Body structure

May 12, 2026

body · roof and pillars

The 3-door and 5-door Molded-In-Color (MIC) hardtop roof panels may have been manufactured improperly, which can allow sections of the outer roof panel to separate and detach from the vehicle.

Risk: A detached section of roof can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the hard top as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed May 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S32. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 12, 2026.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 26S32.

Powertrain

Apr 14, 2026

automatic transmission

The transmission to transfer case joint may be misaligned due to an incorrectly performed previous repair, which could lead to wear of the transmission output shaft splines and transfer case input splines.

Risk: Excessive wear of the transmission and transfer case splines may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Dealers will inspect the transmission to transfer case joint and replace the transmission and transfer case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Bronco vehicles.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 26S26.

Backover prevention and rearview camera

Mar 3, 2026

software

The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.

Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: The APIM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S09. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and 2021-2024 Ford Edge vehicles.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 26S09.

Backover prevention and rearview camera

Dec 18, 2025

sensing system · camera

  • Fails federal standard 111 (rear visibility)
  • NHTSA 25V-888
  • 35 vehicles

The rearview camera image may still be displayed after a backing event has ended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Dealer will update the SYNC module software ,free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 28, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C72. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 30, 2026.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles equipped with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens that were previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V165.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 25C72.

Seats

Oct 23, 2025

critical fasteners

The front seats may have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.

Risk: A seat with a dislodged bolt may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the pivot links and bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB5. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 28, 2025.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 25SB5.

Equipment

Oct 10, 2025

electrical · engine block heater

The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 25SA4.

Fuel system

Jul 7, 2025

delivery · fuel pump

The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.

Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 25S75.

Backover prevention and rearview camera

May 9, 2025

sensing system · camera

  • Fails federal standard 111 (rear visibility)
  • NHTSA 25V-312
  • 12,219 vehicles

The rearview camera image may still be displayed after a backing event has ended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Dealers will update SYNC module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C14.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles equipped with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens that were repaired incorrectly under recall 22V-825.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 25C14.

Backover prevention and rearview camera

May 9, 2025

software

A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.

Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 25S49.

Suspension

Jan 17, 2025

rear · shock absorber

The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir.

Risk: An external reservoir that detaches from a vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Dealers will replace the rear shock absorbers, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S01.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 25S01.

Engine and cooling

Aug 23, 2024

engine · hard parts internal/mechanical

7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.

Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S55.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 24S55.

Backover prevention and rearview camera

Aug 25, 2023

sensing system · camera

The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.

Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, and update the software and wiring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023 to Lincoln owners. Ford vehicle owners notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Ford remedy parts are anticipated 2nd Quarter 2024. Ford's number for this recall is 23S48.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator, 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator, 2022-2023 Ford Transit, and 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 23S48.

Seat belts

May 18, 2023

critical fasteners

  • Fails federal standard 208 (occupant crash protection)
  • NHTSA 23V-358
  • 175,550 vehicles

The first-row seat belt latch plates may be difficult to access from their stowed position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: Difficulty accessing the seat belt latches may result in occupants not wearing their seat belts, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Dealers will add a sliding clip latch stop to the driver and front passenger seat belts, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 14, 2023. Owner letters informing owners that parts are available were mailed on October 2, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C16.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles built with the 5-Door body style.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 23C16.

Backover prevention and rearview camera

Mar 10, 2023

sensing system · camera

  • Fails federal standard 111 (rear visibility)
  • Fix: over-the-air update
  • NHTSA 23V-165
  • 1,651 vehicles

The rearview camera image may still be displayed after a backing event has ended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: The SYNC module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C05.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles equipped with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens that were previously remedied under recall 22V-825.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 23C05.

Air bags

Dec 14, 2022

sensor · side impact

The right or left side impact sensors may not be properly secured to the vehicle.

Risk: An improperly secured side impact sensor may cause the air bags to unintentionally deploy, or not to deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Dealers will inspect the side impact sensor attachments and repair, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S77.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 22S77.

Backover prevention and rearview camera

Nov 3, 2022

sensing system · camera

  • Fails federal standard 111 (rear visibility)
  • Fix: over-the-air update
  • NHTSA 22V-825
  • 47,046 vehicles

The rearview camera image may still be displayed after a backing event has ended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: The SYNC module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 25, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C27.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles equipped with rearview camera systems and 8-inch screen displays.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 22C27.

Latches, locks and linkages

Jun 10, 2022

doors · lock

The passenger-side rear door may be opened from inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position.

Risk: A malfunctioning child safety lock increases the risk of injury to a child occupant.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Dealers will inspect the passenger-side child safety locks door child safety lock and latch, and replace them, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S44.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain four-door 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 22S44.

Forward collision avoidance

Dec 16, 2021

sensing system · radar

The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.

Risk: A misaligned radar module may prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active. In addition, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system may react slowly, or not react at all, during a pre-collision assist braking event. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Dealers will adjust the angle of the cruise control radar module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S52.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Components: Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking; Forward collision avoidance: sensing system, radar. Ford campaign 21S52.

Air bags

Oct 1, 2021

frontal

  • Fails federal standard 208 (occupant crash protection)
  • NHTSA 21V-770
  • 553 vehicles

During passenger air bag deployment, an air bag vent could open prematurely and result in an improper deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: Improper air bag deployment increases the risk of injury during a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger air bag, free of charge. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on November 24, 2021. A second notice announcing the remedy is available was sent on July 8, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C23.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Bronco vehicles.

NHTSA listing: BRONCO. Ford campaign 21C23.

Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

The areas named in the 229 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Bronco. NHTSA does not verify complaints.

A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%.

Ford Bronco recalls and complaints by model year

The highlighted bars are the 2021 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2022 Bronco drew the most (201) and the 2021 drew 111.

Owner complaints

2021: 229 complaints

Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Ford Bronco
Model yearComplaints
2021229
2022376
2023225
202474
202552
20267

Safety recalls

2021: 20 recalls

Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Ford Bronco
Model yearRecalls
202120
202223
202318
202416
202519
20269

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

Tested versionOverallFrontalSideRollover
Ford Bronco 2DR SUV 4WD
Rollover risk 25.6%
Not ratedNot ratedNot rated
Ford Bronco 4DR SUV 4WD
Rollover risk 25.6%
Not ratedNot ratedNot rated

Questions

What are the most common 2021 Bronco problems?

The areas owners name most often in NHTSA complaints: engine (69), electrical system (29), suspension (24). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can name several areas.

How do I check if my Bronco has an open recall?

Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Ford dealers.

Sources and method

  • NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Sep 27, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
  • NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Sep 26, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
  • NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
  • NHTSA model names covered: BRONCO.

Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.