NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 29 recalls, 210 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Ford Bronco.
19–21 mpg combined
11.2–12.4 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
Engine complaints dominate what 2021 Ford Bronco owners report, with dozens describing stalling, rough running, and unexpected power loss. A recurring theme involves the engine cutting out or hesitating during normal driving, sometimes without warning. Suspension complaints rank second, with owners describing clunking, excessive vibration, and handling that feels loose or unstable over road imperfections. The third notable pattern centers on the backup camera system going dark or becoming unresponsive, owners describe the display blanking out entirely, leaving the rearview image unavailable when reversing. Several of these camera-related reports also mention the instrument cluster screen going black, with diagnostic checks confirming the screens are receiving power but still failing to display anything.
210
Total Complaints
5
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Ford Bronco has 29 recalls, the most serious involving fire risk from a cracking engine block heater, drivetrain failures that can cut power or allow a parked vehicle to roll away, and loose side impact sensors that can cause airbags to fire unexpectedly or fail in a crash.
On the engine and fuel side, intake valves on 2.7L and 3.0L EcoBoost engines can break and stall the engine, and a failing low-pressure fuel pump can do the same. The adaptive cruise control radar was misaligned on some vehicles and may not maintain a safe following distance. Hardtop roof panels on certain 3-door and 5-door models can shed sections onto the road.
Several occupant restraint recalls cluster together: the front passenger airbag may not inflate correctly, front seat frame bolts can loosen and let the seat shift in a crash, and on 5-door models the front seat belt latch plates can be hard to reach. The child safety lock on the rear passenger door of 4-door models can fail to keep the door closed from the inside. Rear shock absorbers with external reservoirs can corrode and drop those reservoirs onto the road.
Multiple recalls cover rear camera visibility: the image can linger after shifting out of reverse, fail to appear when backing up, or go dark when the infotainment module overheats. Prior repair attempts for the lingering-image issue did not fully resolve the problem on some vehicles.
At a glance
What can fail
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The molded-in-color hardtop roof panels may have manufacturing defects that allow sections of the outer roof panel to separate and detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the hardtop and replace it if necessary, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
After service, your transmission may not have been reassembled correctly. This can cause the transmission output shaft splines and transfer case input splines to wear and fail, potentially causing loss of power to the wheels or unexpected vehicle movement when parked.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to have a dealership inspect your transmission and transfer case, and replace them if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The connection between the transmission and transfer case may be misaligned from a previous repair, causing the transmission output shaft splines and transfer case input splines to wear.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the transmission-to-transfer case joint and replace the transmission and transfer case if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Accessory Protocol Interface Module may overheat and shut down, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the APIM software, or the update will be delivered over the air, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image remains on the screen after you finish backing up, instead of clearing when the backing event ends.
What the fix does
The dealer will update your SYNC infotainment system software at no cost to restore proper camera display function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The pivot bolts in the front seat height adjuster may be improperly manufactured and could loosen or detach, causing the seat to shift during a crash.
What the fix does
A dealership will inspect the height-adjust links and pivot bolts, and replace them if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolt that adjusts the front seat height may become loose or fall out, affecting seat stability.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seat height-adjust pivot links and bolts, replacing them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater can crack and leak coolant. When plugged in, the leaked coolant may cause an electrical short circuit.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the block heater at no cost, or install a blanking plug and remove the heater cord.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, causing the engine to stall while driving.
What the fix does
Ford is developing a fix. A second letter with repair instructions will be mailed when available, expected in Q2 2026.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image stays on the screen after you finish backing up, instead of clearing automatically as required.
What the fix does
Dealers will update your vehicle's SYNC module software at no cost to restore proper camera display behavior.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
What the fix does
The accessory protocol interface module software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In 4WD-Low mode, the rearview camera image may remain on the display after shifting out of reverse on certain vehicles with an 8-inch display. Previous recall repairs may not have corrected this issue.
What the fix does
Ford will send a wireless software update to the SYNC module, or you can schedule a dealership appointment to have the update installed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear shock absorbers can corrode and fail, causing the external reservoir to detach.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear shock absorbers at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The mounting flange connecting external shock absorber reservoirs to the rear shocks can corrode and weaken, potentially causing the reservoirs to detach.
What the fix does
A dealer will inspect the rear shocks, apply anti-corrosion sealant and install a protective shield, or replace the shocks if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine intake valves may break during driving, potentially causing the engine to fail and loss of driving power.
What the fix does
Dealers will test the engine and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera or 360-degree view camera may fail to display an image when you shift into reverse.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the camera and update software and wiring as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On certain 5-door models, the front seat belt latch plate sits too close to the interior trim, making it difficult to reach and fasten the seat belt.
What the fix does
A sliding clip will be installed on each front seat belt to reposition the latch plate. You'll also receive updated instructions on how to use the clip.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The first-row seat belt latch plates may be hard to reach when stored, which could prevent proper use of the seat belts in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a sliding clip latch stop on the driver and front passenger seat belts at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The software update from recall 22C27 may not have worked properly. In 4WD-Low mode, the rearview camera image could stay on the display after you shift out of reverse.
What the fix does
Ford will send a wireless software update to your vehicle's SYNC module, or you can schedule a dealership appointment for the update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image stays on the infotainment screen after you finish backing up, instead of disappearing when the backing event ends.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the SYNC module software at no cost, or the update will be sent over-the-air to your vehicle.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Side-impact sensors may not be secured correctly, which could prevent side airbags from deploying properly during a side-impact crash.
What the fix does
A Ford dealership will inspect and secure the driver and passenger side-impact sensors as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right or left side impact sensor may not be securely attached to the vehicle, which could prevent it from functioning correctly in a side impact.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the side impact sensor attachments at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In 4WD-Low mode, the rearview camera image may stay visible on the 8-inch display after you shift out of reverse.
What the fix does
Ford will send a software update to your vehicle wirelessly or you can schedule a dealership appointment to install the update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image stays on the screen after you finish backing up, instead of turning off as it should.
What the fix does
A software update to the SYNC module will be installed at a Ford dealer or delivered automatically over the air, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The child safety lock on the right rear door may fail to work properly, allowing the door to open from inside the vehicle even when the lock is turned on.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to check the child safety locks. Take your vehicle to a Ford dealership to have the rear door latch inspected and replaced if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger-side rear door can be opened from inside the vehicle even when the child safety lock is turned on, which is designed to prevent this.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the passenger-side rear door child safety lock and latch assembly if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The cruise control radar module is misaligned from the factory, which can affect how the cruise control system works.
What the fix does
Dealers will adjust the radar module angle at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger-front airbag may not have been folded correctly at the factory, which could prevent it from inflating properly during a crash.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to bring your vehicle to a dealer, where they will replace the passenger-front airbag.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag's vent may open too early during deployment, causing the air bag to deploy incorrectly and not protect occupants properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
