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2021 Ford Bronco: common problems and reliability
· 6th generationAn average Bronco year.
The best Ford Bronco year. All Bronco years
230 owner complaints, most about engine. 20 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 Bronco?The 2021 Ford Bronco has 230 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 20 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system. Owners most often flag general build-quality and reliability inconsistency, especially on 2021-2022 models.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Bronco years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the Bronco?
Across the 7 Bronco model years we track, complaint volume runs from 108 (1996) to 379 (2022). With 230 complaints, the 2021 Bronco sits above the model's median of 108.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 Bronco
forward collision avoidance: sensing system: radar
Campaign 21V982000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 21V770000Ford 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."
latches/locks/linkages:doors:lock
Campaign 22V411000Ford 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.
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 22V825000Ford 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."
Show 16 more recalls
air bags:sensor:side impact
Campaign 22V928000Ford 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.
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 23V165000Ford 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."
seat belts:critical fasteners
Campaign 23V358000Ford 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."
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 23V598000Ford 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.
engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Campaign 24V635000Ford 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.
suspension:rear:shock absorber
Campaign 25V025000Ford 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.
back over prevention:software
Campaign 25V315000Ford 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.
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 25V312000Ford 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."
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 25V455000Ford 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.
equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Campaign 25V685000Ford 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.
seats:critical fasteners
Campaign 25V721000Ford 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.
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 25V888000Ford 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."
back over prevention:software
Campaign 26V124000Ford 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.
power train:automatic transmission
Campaign 26V236000Ford 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.
structure:body:roof and pillars
Campaign 26V299000Ford 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.
engine
Campaign 26V468000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor vehicles. The engine compartment wiring harness may become damaged and short circuit.
What owners report on the 6th generation Bronco
Owner sentiment for the 2020-2026 Bronco is mixed and heavily split by model year and by which vehicle is actually being discussed.
- Very frequentGeneral build-quality and reliability inconsistency, especially on 2021-2022 models
- RecurrentTransmission problems including harsh cold-start shifts
RPM fluctuation, and shuddering after torque converter replacement.
- RecurrentRecalls, most notably for fuel injector issues
- IsolatedEngine failures requiring replacement under warranty
- IsolatedDead battery caused by low voltage and systems staying on longer than expected
Owner insights for the 6th generation Bronco. Read the full 6th generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Bronco listings typically run $33,900–$45,124.
Other Bronco model years
Compare every Bronco year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Bronco against its rivals
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