2021 Ford Bronco problems & reliability
221 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Bronco, alongside 20 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
6 complaints report injuries (7 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles were involved in 17 fatal crashes with 3 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 68 | 31% |
| Electrical System | 28 | 13% |
| Unknown OR Other | 28 | 13% |
| Suspension | 24 | 11% |
| Back Over Prevention | 23 | 10% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 19 | 9% |
| Service Brakes | 17 | 8% |
| Visibility/wiper | 14 | 6% |
| Lane Departure | 10 | 5% |
| Structure | 10 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 25,500 miles (middle 50% between 10,000 and 40,000 miles), based on 37 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“There is multiple anti lock braking faults that pop up while driving and then go away the next time the vehicle is used. Brake fluid, pads, rotors and calipers all seem to spec and are working at the moment, but major concerns with the software or possible release and reengagement of the emergency brake.”
Service Brakes · filed Aug 5, 2026
“Fuel pump.has low pressure therefore making vehicle stop running completely. Has happened twice , once while driving on highway. This is extremly dangerous to have your vehicle just come to complete dead stop in middle.of road. FORD has no remedy to fix and now i am without a car I am paying for since it wont start…”
Engine · filed Aug 4, 2026
“Persistent highway-speed vibration (45 to 82 mph) present since July 2022, documented at five Ford dealerships between 21,000 and 100,000 miles, and still unresolved and undiagnosed after four years. It is a whole-vehicle shake felt primarily through the seat and from the rear of the vehicle at highway speed…”
Power Train · filed Jul 17, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Low-pressure fuel pump failure
Preliminary Evaluation PE24019 · opened Jul 29, 2024 · closed Sep 19, 2025
- Loss of Motive Power
Engineering Analysis EA23002 · opened Sep 29, 2023 · closed Oct 31, 2024 · led to recall 24V635
- Loss of motive power due to valve intake failure on Ford Bronco vehicles.
Preliminary Evaluation PE22007 · opened Jul 22, 2022 · closed Oct 2, 2023
- Loss of Motive Power
Defect Petition DP22001 · opened May 27, 2022 · closed Jul 28, 2022
Technical service bulletins
314 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Bronco. The 10 most recent:
Some 2021-2026 Ford/Lincoln vehicles may exhibit various symptoms including but not limited to the auto start/stop system not operating as intended with a "Check Charging System" message in the instrument panel cluster…
SSM 55031 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 23, 2026
Some 2021-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an "Updating SYNC" message on the vehicle center display screen after an over the air (OTA) update. The message can be cleared from the center display screen and SYNC…
SSM 55028 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 21, 2026
Some 2021-2026 Bronco vehicles may exhibit a "Park Brake Limited Function Service Required" message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC). This may be due to an issue with the driver door harness connector after…
SSM 55009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 14, 2026
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and Aviator Vehicles Powertrain Control Module…
26E04 · Emissions · issued Jul 9, 2026
This article supersedes 25-2551. Reason for update: to correct the descriptions for the liftgate glass weather seals. Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit paint wearing along on the top…
TSB 26-2298 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 26, 2026
Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above equipped with SYNC4 may experience a blank center display screen or black center display after welcome animation. The rear-view camera will still function when…
TSB 26-2297 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 24, 2026
Some 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles may exhibit a condition where short drop windows, window bounce-back, and/or one-touch close does not operate properly. This may be due to loss of window initialization. Replacement or…
SSM 54961 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 23, 2026
This bulletin supersedes 26-2006. Reason for update: update the Parts list to correct the ambient air temperature service part number. Some vehicles listed in the model statement above may require the replacement of the…
TSB 26-2291 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 19, 2026
Quality improvements include: -Privacy robustness updates -Resolves various user interface and data display bugs within the Towing menu
SYNC-26.2.8.3 Bronco · Over The Air · issued Jun 17, 2026
Quality improvements include: - Telematics Control Unit update to enhance connected features
TCU-26.2.11.3 Bronco · Over The Air · issued Jun 15, 2026
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2021 Ford Bronco has 20 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2021 Ford Bronco?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 25,500 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.