2021 Ford Bronco Reliability
The 2021 Ford Bronco has 230 owner complaints and 20 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Compared with nearby Bronco model years (2021–2023), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Bronco's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
230
NHTSA owner complaints
20
Recall campaigns
6
Complaints citing a crash
3
Complaints citing a fire
2021 Ford Bronco complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 model year, filed between 2021 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 70 | 30% |
| Electrical system | 29 | 13% |
| Unknown or other | 28 | 12% |
| Suspension | 24 | 10% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 23 | 10% |
| Backup camera / back-over prevention | 23 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 22 | 10% |
| Visibility / wipers | 17 | 7% |
2021 Ford Bronco recalls
20 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2021 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21V770000 | Oct 1, 2021 | Air bags — frontal | 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… |
| 21V982000 | Dec 16, 2021 | Forward collision avoidance — sensing system / radar | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production. |
| 22V411000 | Jun 10, 2022 | Latches, locks & linkages — doors / lock | 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. |
| 22V825000 | Nov 3, 2022 | Backup camera / back-over prevention — sensing system / camera | 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… |
| 22V928000 | Dec 14, 2022 | Air bags — sensor / side impact | 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. |
| 23V165000 | Mar 10, 2023 | Backup camera / back-over prevention — sensing system / camera | 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… |
| 23V358000 | May 18, 2023 | Seat belts — critical fasteners | 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… |
| 23V598000 | Aug 26, 2023 | Backup camera / back-over prevention — sensing system / camera | 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… |
| 24V635000 | Aug 24, 2024 | Engine & cooling — engine / hard parts internal/mechanical | 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… |
| 25V025000 | Jan 18, 2025 | Suspension — rear / shock absorber | 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. |
| 25V315000 | May 9, 2025 | Backup camera / back-over prevention — software | 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… |
| 25V312000 | May 9, 2025 | Backup camera / back-over prevention — sensing system / camera | 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… |
| 25V455000 | Jul 7, 2025 | Fuel system — delivery / fuel pump | 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… |
| 25V685000 | Oct 10, 2025 | Equipment — electrical / engine block heater | 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… |
| 25V721000 | Oct 23, 2025 | Seats — critical fasteners | 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. |
| 25V888000 | Dec 19, 2025 | Backup camera / back-over prevention — sensing system / camera | 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… |
| 26V124000 | Mar 4, 2026 | Backup camera / back-over prevention — software | 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. |
| 26V236000 | Apr 14, 2026 | Powertrain / transmission — automatic transmission | 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… |
| 26V299000 | May 12, 2026 | Body structure — body / roof and pillars | 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… |
| 26V468000 | Jul 21, 2026 | Engine | 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. |
How the 2021 compares with nearby Bronco years
Verdicts compare these Bronco model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 (this page) | 230 | 20 | Engine | Caution |
| 2022 | 387 | 23 | Visibility / wipers | Avoid |
| 2023 | 232 | 18 | Visibility / wipers | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2021 Ford Bronco
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Suspension: listen for clunks over bumps, look for leaking struts and uneven tire wear.
- Fuel system: smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 20 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2021 Ford Bronco can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2021 Ford Bronco reliability FAQ
Is the 2021 Ford Bronco reliable?
The 2021 Ford Bronco has 230 owner complaints and 20 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Compared with nearby Bronco model years (2021–2023), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Bronco's typical year.
What are the most common 2021 Ford Bronco problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Ford Bronco are engine (70), electrical system (29), unknown or other (28), suspension (24). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2021 Ford Bronco have recalls?
NHTSA lists 20 recall campaigns for the 2021 Ford Bronco, including 21V770000 (air bags — frontal) and 21V982000 (forward collision avoidance — sensing system / radar). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2021 Ford Bronco compare with the 2020 and 2022 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2022 has 387 complaints and 23 recalls (avoid). The 2021 has 230 complaints and 20 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2021 Ford Bronco?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Ford Bronco research
Other Ford Bronco model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2021 Bronco, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.