2021 Ford Bronco problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 229 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Ford Bronco, filed between 2021-10-27 and 2026-09-24. The most common problem areas are the engine (69, 30%), electrical system (29, 13%) and suspension (24, 10%). Owners reported 6 crashes, 3 fires and 7 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 20 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2021 Ford Bronco complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 69 | 30% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 29 | 13% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Unknown or other | 28 | 12% | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Suspension | 24 | 10% | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Back over prevention | 23 | 10% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 22 | 10% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 19 | 8% | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Visibility/wiper | 14 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 11 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 11 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power train | 9 | 4% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 7 | 3% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 3% | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 7 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Engine: 69 complaints
- 69 complaints of 229 (30%) name the engine.
- 7 of them also name the fuel/propulsion system; owners reported 1 crash in these complaints.
- 2 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2021 Ford Bronco; the latest, campaign 26V468000, says: “The engine compartment wiring harness may become damaged and short circuit.”
Electrical system: 29 complaints
- 29 complaints of 229 (13%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 5 of them also name the back over prevention; owners reported 1 fire in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Ford Bronco covers this system.
Suspension: 24 complaints
- 24 complaints of 229 (10%) name the suspension — springs, shocks and struts, control arms and ball joints.
- 3 of them also name the engine and engine cooling; owners reported 1 injury in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2021 Ford Bronco; the recall, campaign 25V025000, says: “The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir.”
Back over prevention: 23 complaints
- 23 complaints of 229 (10%) name the back over prevention — the rear-view camera and rear back-over warning systems.
- 9 of them also name the lane departure; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- 7 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2021 Ford Bronco; the latest, campaign 26V124000, says: “The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.”
Fuel/propulsion system: 22 complaints
- 22 complaints of 229 (10%) name the fuel/propulsion system — the fuel tank, pump, lines, injectors and fuel-system controls.
- 7 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Ford Bronco covers this system.
Service brakes: 19 complaints
- 19 complaints of 229 (8%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 5 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 2 crashes and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Ford Bronco covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 77 |
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 60 |
| 2026 | 36 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names BRONCO, model year 2021. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2021 Ford Bronco recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Bronco?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2021 Ford Bronco's most common problem areas are the engine (69 of 229 complaints), electrical system (29 of 229 complaints) and suspension (24 of 229 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2021 Ford Bronco have?
NHTSA has 229 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Ford Bronco, including 6 reported crashes and 3 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Ford Bronco's problems?
NHTSA lists 20 recalls for the 2021 Ford Bronco; 3 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.