2021 Ford Bronco: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Ford Bronco: 20 recalls, 230 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
20 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #21V770000 · 2021 · 553 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Improper air bag deployment increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: 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.
Forward collision avoidance, Forward collision avoidance Vehicle recall #21V982000 · 2021 · 839 vehicles
What's wrong: The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
Why it matters: A misaligned radar module May prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active. In addition, the automatic emergency braking (aeb) system May react slowly, or not react at all, during a pre-collision assist braking event. Any of these…
The fix: Dealers will adjust the angle of the cruise control radar module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #22V411000 · 2022 · 53,103 vehicles
What's wrong: The passenger-side rear door May be opened from inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "on" position.
Why it matters: A malfunctioning child safety lock increases the risk of injury to a child occupant.
The fix: 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.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #22V825000 · 2022 · 47,046 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse May distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #22V928000 · 2022 · 1,226 vehicles
What's wrong: The right or left side impact sensors May not be properly secured to the vehicle.
Why it matters: An improperly secured side impact sensor May cause the air bags to unintentionally deploy, or not to deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the side impact sensor attachments and repair, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #23V165000 · 2023 · 1,651 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse May distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #23V358000 · 2023 · 175,550 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Difficulty accessing the seat belt latches May result in occupants not wearing their seat belts, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: 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.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #23V598000 · 2023 · 177,402 vehicles
What's wrong: The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, May not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
Why it matters: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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…
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #24V635000 · 2024 · 90,736 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025.
Suspension Vehicle recall #25V025000 · 2025 · 149,449 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear shock absorbers May corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir.
Why it matters: An external reservoir that detaches from a vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear shock absorbers, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #25V312000 · 2025 · 12,219 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse May distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update sync module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #25V315000 · 2025 · 1,076,138 vehicles
What's wrong: A software error May cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
Why it matters: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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…
Fuel system Vehicle recall #25V455000 · 2025 · 850,318 vehicles
What's wrong: The low-pressure fuel pump May fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Why it matters: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Equipment Vehicle recall #25V685000 · 2025 · 59,006 vehicles
What's wrong: The engine block heater May crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Why it matters: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.…
Seats Vehicle recall #25V721000 · 2025 · 163,256 vehicles
What's wrong: The front seats May have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.
Why it matters: A seat with a dislodged bolt May not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the pivot links and bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2026.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #25V888000 · 2025 · 35 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse May distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealer will update the sync module software ,free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 28, 2026.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #26V124000 · 2026 · 849,310 vehicles
What's wrong: The accessory protocol interface module (apim) May overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.
Why it matters: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #26V236000 · 2026 · 4,922 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Excessive wear of the transmission and transfer case splines May result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #26V299000 · 2026 · 16,200 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A detached section of roof can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Engine, Electrical Vehicle recall #26V468000 · 2026 · 565,691 vehicles
What's wrong: The engine compartment wiring harness May become damaged and short circuit.
Why it matters: A short circuit in the engine compartment can create heat or spark, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 7 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (69): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (24), warning light on (19), noise or vibration (11).
- Electrical (29): the most common themes are electrical failure (14), stalls / loses power (6), door / lock issues (5).
- Other / unknown (28): the most common themes are noise or vibration (4), stalls / loses power (4).
- Suspension (24): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2021 Ford Bronco has 230 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 16 Bronco model years for complaints (2.6× the average Bronco year). Complaints peaked in 2022 (77 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 25,250 miles. Neighboring years: 2022 (379 complaints, 23 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 22 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 7-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 22 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 20 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Ford Bronco.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 Ford Bronco have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 20 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Ford Bronco. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Ford Bronco problems?
Owners have filed 230 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (69), electrical (29), other / unknown (28).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Ford Bronco get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.3 L, Automatic (S10)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 Ford Bronco repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.