2021 Ford Bronco
Gas Compact SUV
The 2021 Ford Bronco is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 10 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Bronco 4WD, is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 20 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 225 complaints, most often about engine.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronco 4WD | Gas | Part-time 4WD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 20 | 22 | 21 | $2,950 |
| Bronco 4WD | Gas | Part-time 4WD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 20 | 22 | 21 | $2,950 |
| Bronco 4WD | Gas | Part-time 4WD | 2.7L 6-cyl turbo | 18 | 20 | 19 | $3,300 |
| Bronco Black Diamond 4WD | Gas | Part-time 4WD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 17 | 19 | 18 | $3,450 |
| Bronco Black Diamond 4WD | Gas | Part-time 4WD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 18 | 18 | 18 | $3,450 |
| Bronco Sasquatch 4WD | Gas | Part-time 4WD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 18 | 18 | 18 | $3,450 |
| Bronco Badlands 4WD | Gas | Part-time 4WD | 2.7L 6-cyl turbo | 17 | 18 | 17 | $3,650 |
| Bronco Badlands 4WD | Gas | Part-time 4WD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 16 | 18 | 17 | $3,650 |
| Bronco Badlands 4WD | Gas | Part-time 4WD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 18 | 17 | 17 | $3,650 |
| Bronco Sasquatch 4WD | Gas | Part-time 4WD | 2.7L 6-cyl turbo | 17 | 17 | 17 | $3,650 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
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The 2021 Ford Bronco is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
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Recalls (20)
Electrical System
criticalProblem: 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.
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 Id
Structure
highProblem: 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.
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.
Power Train
highProblem: 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.
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.
Back Over Prevention
minorProblem: 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 driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Back Over Prevention
minorProblem: 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.
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.
Seats
highProblem: 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.
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.
Equipment
criticalProblem: 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.
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
Fuel System, Gasoline
highProblem: 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.
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.
Back Over Prevention
minorProblem: 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.
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.
Back Over Prevention
minorProblem: 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.
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
Suspension
highProblem: 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.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling
highProblem: 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.
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.
Back Over Prevention
minorProblem: 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.
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.
Seat Belts
highProblem: 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.
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.
Back Over Prevention
minorProblem: 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.
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.
Air Bags
highProblem: 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.
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.
Back Over Prevention
minorProblem: 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.
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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages
moderateProblem: 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.
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.
Forward Collision Avoidance
highProblem: 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.
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.
Air Bags
highProblem: 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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump — Low-pressure fuel pump failure (closed)
On July 29, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE24019 to investigate complaints of low-pressure fuel pump failures in MY 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles. Some consumers reported that the failure occurred without warning while driving, resulting in a complete loss of motive power with no ability to restart the engine. Ford determined that several other vehicle models contain low-pressure fuel pumps substantially similar to the 2021 Ford Bronco, including the 2022-2023 Ford Bronco, 2018-2023 Ford F-150, 2022-2023 Ford Expedition, 2019-2023 Lincoln Navigator, 2020-2023 Ford F-250-F-550, 2024 Ford Super Duty Chassis Cab, 2024-2025 Ford Ranger, 2020-2023 Ford Explorer, 2020-2023 Li
Opened Jul 29, 2024 · closed Sep 19, 2025 · action PE24019
Engine — Loss of Motive Power (closed)
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) granted a Defect Petition (DP22001) and opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22007) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with 2.7L EcoBoost engines. Complainants were reporting sudden engine failure while driving resulting in a loss of motive power, often without the ability to restart. During PE22007, the cause of engine failure and loss of motive power in the subject vehicles was determined to be intake valve fracture, and the full scope of vehicles affected by the subject defect was identified as all MY 2021-2022 Ford and Lincoln models equipped with either the 2.7
Opened Sep 29, 2023 · closed Oct 31, 2024 · action EA23002
Engine — Loss of motive power due to valve intake failure on Ford Bronco vehicles. (closed)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition dated March 16, 2022, requesting an investigation regarding allegations of defective intake valves in model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with the 2.7L Eco-boost (“Nano�) engines. The petitioner alleged these vehicles are experiencing loss of motive power at any highway speeds with no-restart as a result of catastrophic engine failures. To date ODI is aware of 42 submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ’s) alleging a loss of motive power. On July 22, 2022, ODI opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22-007) to investigate allegations of stalling/loss of motive power on the subject vehicles. Upon receiving
Opened Jul 22, 2022 · closed Oct 2, 2023 · action PE22007
Engine — Loss of Motive Power (closed)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received three petitions on March 17, March 18, and March 29, 2022, which requested a defect investigation into an alleged defect of the valves on model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with the 2.7L Eco-boost engines. The petitioners alleged that MY 2021 Ford Broncos vehicles are experiencing loss of motive power at highway speeds with no-restart due to catastrophic engine failures.On May 27, 2022, ODI opened this Defect Petition to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition.ODI has identified 26 Vehicle Owners Questionnaires (VOQs) that relate to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Based on ODI's review of the applicable mat
Opened May 27, 2022 · closed Jul 28, 2022 · action DP22001
Owner complaints
225 complaints filed
6 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2021: 7 · 2022: 77 · 2023: 27 · 2024: 22 · 2025: 60 · 2026: 32
Most-cited components
- Engine — 68
- Electrical System — 29
- Unknown Or Other — 28
- Suspension — 24
- Back Over Prevention — 23
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2DR 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ | 26% |
| SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ | 26% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: automatic emergency braking.
Other Bronco model years
2026 Bronco
8 recalls · 7 complaints
F2025 Bronco
19 recalls · 49 complaints
F2024 Bronco
16 recalls · 74 complaints
F2023 Bronco
18 recalls · 220 complaints
F2022 Bronco
23 recalls · 373 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 43995, 43996, 43997, 44003, 44004, 44002, 43998, 43999, 44000, 44001). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.