Reliable Auto DB

2021 Ford Bronco reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2021 Ford Bronco has 225 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 37 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Bronco years here — under the median of the other years, which is 62. NHTSA has 20 recalls on file, including Engine, Roof and pillars, and Automatic transmission.

2022 Ford Bronco Outer Banks 4-door with Sasquatch package
Photo by MercurySable99, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

225

Per year

37

Recalls

20

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (68 of 225), then Electrical system (29) and Suspension (24). Complaints that include an odometer have a median of 25,250 miles, and the middle half falls between 8,584 and 40,000 miles. Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 6 that report an injury.

Next to 2022

The 2022 Bronco has 376 complaints, 67 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Ford Bronco. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (20)

Recall Engine 2026-07-20 · NHTSA campaign 26V468000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 565,691
Recall structure, body, roof and pillars 2026-05-12 · NHTSA campaign 26V299000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 16,200
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2026-04-14 · NHTSA campaign 26V236000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 4,922
Recall back-over prevention, software 2026-03-03 · NHTSA campaign 26V124000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 849,310
Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2025-12-18 · NHTSA campaign 25V888000
Summary 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."
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.
Vehicles affected 35
Recall Seat fasteners 2025-10-23 · NHTSA campaign 25V721000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 163,256
Recall equipment, electrical, engine block heater 2025-10-10 · NHTSA campaign 25V685000
Summary 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.
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 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.
Vehicles affected 59,006
Recall Fuel pump 2025-07-07 · NHTSA campaign 25V455000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 850,318
Recall back-over prevention, software 2025-05-09 · NHTSA campaign 25V315000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 1,076,138
Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2025-05-09 · NHTSA campaign 25V312000
Summary 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."
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.
Vehicles affected 12,219
Recall Rear shock absorber 2025-01-17 · NHTSA campaign 25V025000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 149,449
Recall engine and cooling, engine, internal engine parts 2024-08-23 · NHTSA campaign 24V635000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 90,736
Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2023-08-25 · NHTSA campaign 23V598000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 177,402
Recall seat belts, critical fasteners 2023-05-18 · NHTSA campaign 23V358000
Summary 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."
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.
Vehicles affected 175,550
Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2023-03-10 · NHTSA campaign 23V165000
Summary 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."
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.
Vehicles affected 1,651
Recall air bags, sensor, side impact 2022-12-14 · NHTSA campaign 22V928000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 1,226
Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2022-11-03 · NHTSA campaign 22V825000
Summary 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."
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.
Vehicles affected 47,046
Recall latches, locks, and linkages, doors, lock 2022-06-10 · NHTSA campaign 22V411000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 53,103
Recall Forward collision radar sensor 2021-12-16 · NHTSA campaign 21V982000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
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.
Vehicles affected 839
Recall air bags, frontal 2021-10-01 · NHTSA campaign 21V770000
Summary 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."
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.
Vehicles affected 553

NHTSA's count is every vehicle in that campaign. A campaign can cover other model years and other models.

Complaints by component (225 total)

Engine
68
Electrical system
29
Suspension
24
Back-over prevention
23
Fuel and propulsion system
21
Service brakes
19
Visibility and wipers
14
Lane departure
11
Structure
10
Powertrain
9
Air bags
7
Forward collision avoidance
7
Fuel system, gasoline
6
Engine and engine cooling
5
Speed control
5
Exterior lighting
3
Hydraulic brakes
3
Steering
3
Visibility
3
Seats
2
Seat belts
1
Show 13 more Show less
Crash-flagged

6

Fire-flagged

3

Injury reports

6

Death reports

0

Of the 40 complaints that include an odometer reading, the median is 25,250 miles. The middle half fall between 8,584 and 40,000 miles.

Complaints filed per year

72021772022272023222024602025322026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "I contacted my Ford dealership, and they informed me that the recall is not currently showing as applicable to my VIN. Because my vehicle is experiencing similar issues, the dealership recommended that I contact Ford…"
    Service brakes · filed 2026-08-21
  • "The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle experienced…"
    Speed control, Lane departure · filed 2026-08-20
  • "While driving, I experienced the brakes beginning to fail, followed shortly by a complete loss of engine power. My 2021 Ford Bronco is subject to recall 25S75 (NHTSA 25V455) for a low pressure fuel pump defect that can…"
    Electrical system, Service brakes, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-08-13
  • "- POTENTIAL FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING - MAJOR CONCERN WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE FOR MYSELF AND FOR CHILDREN AND ELDERLY PASSENGERS - YES - YES BUT NO SOLUTION AVAILABLE - NO"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-08-06
  • "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…"
    Service brakes · filed 2026-08-05

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 Ford Bronco 2DR SUV 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated 3 stars
2021 Ford Bronco 4DR SUV 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated 3 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Bronco four-wheel drive 2.3L, 4-cyl Manual 7-speed Part-time four-wheel drive 20 22 21 MPG $3100
Bronco four-wheel drive 2.3L, 4-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Part-time four-wheel drive 20 22 21 MPG $3100
Bronco four-wheel drive 2.7L, 6-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Part-time four-wheel drive 18 20 19 MPG $3400
Bronco Badlands four-wheel drive 2.7L, 6-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Part-time four-wheel drive 17 18 17 MPG $3800
Bronco Badlands four-wheel drive 2.3L, 4-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Part-time four-wheel drive 18 17 17 MPG $3800
Bronco Badlands four-wheel drive 2.3L, 4-cyl Manual 7-speed Part-time four-wheel drive 16 18 17 MPG $3800
Bronco Black Diamond four-wheel drive 2.3L, 4-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Part-time four-wheel drive 18 18 18 MPG $3600
Bronco Black Diamond four-wheel drive 2.3L, 4-cyl Manual 7-speed Part-time four-wheel drive 17 19 18 MPG $3600
Bronco Sasquatch four-wheel drive 2.3L, 4-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Part-time four-wheel drive 18 18 18 MPG $3600
Bronco Sasquatch four-wheel drive 2.7L, 6-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Part-time four-wheel drive 17 17 17 MPG $3800

Specs and fitment

6th generation, 2021–present
Body styles 2-Door SUV, 4-Door SUV
Oil 5W-30 synthetic blend (2.3L EcoBoost) , 6 qt capacity
Tire size 255/70R16 (Base) to 315/70R17 (Badlands Sasquatch/Wildtrak/Everglades); 37x12.5R17 (Raptor)

Known issues for this generation

Ford is recalling certain 2021-2022 Broncos whose 3-door and 5-door Molded-In-Color hard top roof panels may have been manufactured improperly, which can allow sections of the outer roof panel to separate and detach from the vehicle; a detached section can create a road hazard. Dealers inspect and replace the hard top as necessary, free of charge (NHTSA campaign 26V299, 16,200 vehicles). A separate Ford technical service bulletin, 21-2403, covers 2021 Broncos with a water leak originating from the left or right A-pillar or the windshield header, attributed to excessive gaps in the body seams from the factory and corrected by resealing the affected body gaps and replacing the front header seal.

Compare

Next year 2022 Ford Bronco See every Ford Bronco model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Ford Bronco reliable?

The 2021 Ford Bronco has 225 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 37 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Bronco years here — under the median of the other years, which is 62. NHTSA has 20 recalls on file, including Engine, Roof and pillars, and Automatic transmission.

What are common problems with a 2021 Ford Bronco?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (68 of 225), then Electrical system (29) and Suspension (24). Complaints that include an odometer have a median of 25,250 miles, and the middle half falls between 8,584 and 40,000 miles. Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 6 that report an injury.

Is the 2021 Ford Bronco more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2022 Bronco has 376 complaints, 67 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 Ford Bronco been recalled?

The 2021 Ford Bronco has 20 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Ford Bronco?

Owners have filed 225 complaints about the 2021 Ford Bronco with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Ford Bronco get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Ford Bronco is 18.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Ford Bronco take?

US 6th-gen Bronco with the 2.3L EcoBoost commonly lists 5W-30 synthetic blend (about 6.0 qt with filter); confirm viscosity for other engines in the owner's manual.

Does the Ford Bronco have a hardtop roof-panel recall?

Ford recalled certain 2021-2022 Broncos whose molded-in-color hardtop roof panels may separate; dealers inspect and replace affected panels as directed.

What generation is the Ford Bronco?

6th generation of the Bronco nameplate, model year 2021 onward in the US.