2021 Ford Bronco Problems

Severe Issues

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Ford Bronco. Part of Generation 6 — 2021–present.

19992022
Complaints
272
Crashes
8
Fires
2
Injuries
11
Fatalities
Recalls
17

Worst 2021 Ford Bronco Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#167 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:7,565 mi
Crash-related:1
#223 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:30,000 mi
#322 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:39,108 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Ford Bronco.

Engine Problems
67
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
7,565
Electrical Faults
23
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
30,000
Suspension Failures
22
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
39,108
Fuel System
16
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
15
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
40,000
Wipers & Visibility
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
18,822
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Backup Camera
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
3,000
Airbags
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
55,100
Gasoline Fuel System
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
20,000
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
12,500
Structural Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
34,545
Body Structure
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
600
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Adas:Parking Assist:Sensors
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator:Integrated Starter(Other Than Propulsion)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Bronco. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2021 Ford Bronco

17 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~3,707,837 vehicles.

26V124000Back Over Prevention:software
~849,310 affected

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.

25V888000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
~35 affected

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 event has ended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

25V721000Seats:critical Fasteners
~163,256 affected

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.

25V685000Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
~59,006 affected

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 and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

25V455000Fuel Pump
~850,318 affected

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 result in an engine stall while driving.

25V315000Back Over Prevention:software
~1,076,138 affected

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 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.

25V312000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
~12,219 affected

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 such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

25V025000Suspension:rear:shock Absorber
~149,449 affected

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.

24V635000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical
~90,736 affected

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 in engine failure and a loss of drive power.

23V598000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
~177,402 affected

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 vehicle is placed in reverse.

+ 7 more recalls

Other Ford Bronco Years

2021 Ford Bronco — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2021 Ford Bronco reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 2021 Ford Bronco has 272 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 17 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 67 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 Ford Bronco?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (67 complaints, avg 7,565 mi); Electrical Faults (23 complaints, avg 30,000 mi); Suspension Failures (22 complaints, avg 39,108 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Ford Bronco?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 20,645 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2021 Ford Bronco?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Ford Bronco include 8 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 11 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2021 Ford Bronco have any recalls?
Yes — 17 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,707,837 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2021 Ford Bronco?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 2021 Ford Bronco shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford Bronco reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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