Model year 2021 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2021 Ford Bronco: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2021 Ford Bronco at 17–21 mpg combined across 10 versions. NHTSA lists 20 safety recalls and 230 owner complaints for this model year.
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
2021 Ford Bronco recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 20 safety recalls for the 2021 Ford Bronco, newest first.
Engine and 1 more component
NHTSA 26V468000 Reported Jul 20, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S55)
- Components
- Engine; Electrical system: Wiring: Front underhood
- Units affected
- 565,691 (estimate)
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor vehicles. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Structure: Body: Roof and pillars
NHTSA 26V299000 Reported May 12, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S32)
- Units affected
- 16,200 (estimate)
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Power train: Automatic transmission
NHTSA 26V236000 Reported Apr 14, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S26)
- Units affected
- 4,922 (estimate)
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Bronco vehicles. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Back over prevention: Software
NHTSA 26V124000 Reported Mar 3, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S09)
- Units affected
- 849,310 (estimate)
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and 2021-2024 Ford Edge vehicles. 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 driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera
NHTSA 25V888000 Reported Dec 18, 2025
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25C72)
- Units affected
- 35 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Seats: Critical fasteners
NHTSA 25V721000 Reported Oct 23, 2025
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25SB5)
- Units affected
- 163,256 (estimate)
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Equipment: Electrical: Engine block heater
NHTSA 25V685000 Reported Oct 10, 2025
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25SA4)
- Units affected
- 59,006 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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. 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.
- Remedy
- 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 December 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump
NHTSA 25V455000 Reported Jul 7, 2025
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25S75)
- Units affected
- 850,318 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera
NHTSA 25V312000 Reported May 9, 2025
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25C14)
- Units affected
- 12,219 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Back over prevention: Software
NHTSA 25V315000 Reported May 9, 2025
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25S49)
- Units affected
- 1,076,138 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Suspension: Rear: Shock absorber
NHTSA 25V025000 Reported Jan 17, 2025
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25S01)
- Units affected
- 149,449 (estimate)
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Engine and engine cooling: Engine: Hard parts internal/mechanical
NHTSA 24V635000 Reported Aug 23, 2024
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 24S55)
- Units affected
- 90,736 (estimate)
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera
NHTSA 23V598000 Reported Aug 25, 2023
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 23S48)
- Units affected
- 177,402 (estimate)
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator, 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator, 2022-2023 Ford Transit, and 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Seat belts: Critical fasteners
NHTSA 23V358000 Reported May 18, 2023
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 23C16)
- Units affected
- 175,550 (estimate)
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles built with the 5-Door body style. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera
NHTSA 23V165000 Reported Mar 10, 2023
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 23C05)
- Units affected
- 1,651 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Air bags: Sensor: Side impact
NHTSA 22V928000 Reported Dec 14, 2022
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 22S77)
- Units affected
- 1,226 (estimate)
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera
NHTSA 22V825000 Reported Nov 3, 2022
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 22C27)
- Units affected
- 47,046 (estimate)
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles equipped with rearview camera systems and 8-inch screen displays. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Latches/locks/linkages: Doors: Lock
NHTSA 22V411000 Reported Jun 10, 2022
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 22S44)
- Units affected
- 53,103 (estimate)
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain four-door 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Forward collision avoidance: Sensing system: Radar and 1 more component
NHTSA 21V982000 Reported Dec 16, 2021
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 21S52)
- Components
- Forward collision avoidance: Sensing system: Radar; Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking
- Units affected
- 839 (estimate)
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Air bags: Frontal
NHTSA 21V770000 Reported Oct 1, 2021
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 21C23)
- Units affected
- 553 (estimate)
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Bronco 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
2021 Ford Bronco fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2021 Ford Bronco crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
2021 Ford Bronco owner complaints
Owners have filed 230 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Bronco, most recently on Oct 6, 2026. 6 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 7 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.
