YearToAvoid

2021 Ford Bronco Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

25/100

#4 most-complained of 5 Bronco years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2021 Ford Bronco ranks 4th out of 5 model years, with a Complaint Index of 25 and a "Good" verdict compared to other Bronco years. NHTSA lists 229 complaints and 20 recalls, with Engine issues the top problem area at 34% of complaints.

Complaints
229
Recalls
20
Crashes / fires
6 / 3
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18
18 city / 18 hwy

Top 2021 Ford Bronco problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine78 (34%)
  2. Electrical System32 (14%)
  3. Fuel System29 (13%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras28 (12%)
  5. Other28 (12%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires24 (10%)
  7. Brakes22 (10%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers17 (7%)
  9. Structure & Body13 (6%)
  10. Lane Departure11 (5%)

What owners report

  • Brakes reportedly fail to stop the vehicle promptly, sometimes with a stiff pedal and illuminated warning light, leading to collisions.
  • Pre-collision alert and anti-lock brake systems have triggered false warnings paired with brake malfunction during low-speed driveway maneuvers.
  • A drive shaft/coupling fire occurred at the front transfer case, matching the transmission-to-transfer-case recall description.
  • Water has leaked into the cabin near the A-pillar and passenger-side roof airbag area during rain, with damaged clips identified as a cause.
  • Owners report delays obtaining parts for an airbag-related recall repair, leaving vehicles unrepaired for extended periods.
2021 Ford Bronco complaints: complaints filed per quarter322021 Q42022 Q32023 Q22024 Q12024 Q42025 Q32026 Q2
302 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2021 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q3 (32).

2021 Ford Bronco recalls

20 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V468000Jul 20, 2026Engine565,691 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: A short circuit in the engine compartment can create heat or spark, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: 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 notify owners on or about 9/1/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S55. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 23, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 26V299000May 12, 2026Structure & Body16,200 vehicles

    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 vehicle.

    Risk: A detached section of roof can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S32. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 12, 2026.

  3. NHTSA 26V236000Apr 14, 2026Transmission & Powertrain4,922 vehicles

    Power train: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 case input splines.

    Risk: 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.

    Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.

See all 20 recalls for the 2021 Ford Bronco →

2021 Ford Bronco fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
18 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other Bronco years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Good252292018
2022Avoid1003762318
2023Avoid7522518 !17

All Ford Bronco years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Ford Bronco reliable?
Compared to other Bronco model years, 2021 ranks 4th out of 5 with a Complaint Index of 25, earning a "Good" verdict. It has fewer complaints (229) than the 2022 model year (376) and a lower Complaint Index than 2022 (100) and 2023 (75).
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Bronco?
Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 34% of the 229 complaints, with a median mileage at failure around 10,000 miles. Electrical System (14%) and Fuel System (13%) complaints follow.
Does the 2021 Ford Bronco have recalls?
NHTSA lists 20 recalls for the 2021 Ford Bronco, covering areas including Engine wiring, Structure & Body (hardtop roof panels and seat frame bolts), Transmission & Powertrain, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, and Fuel System. None are listed as do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2021 Bronco compare to the 2024 Bronco?
The 2024 Bronco has a Complaint Index of 0 and is rated "Best," with only 74 complaints, versus the 2021 Bronco's Complaint Index of 25 and 229 complaints.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Ford Bronco?
EPA rates the 2021 Ford Bronco at 18 mpg combined (18 city/18 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,600.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.