YearToAvoid

2021 Ford Bronco Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 78 engine complaints for the 2021 Ford Bronco, 34% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 10,000 miles. Two related recalls exist: 26V468000 for engine compartment wiring and 24V635000 for intake valve issues on 2.7L/3.0L EcoBoost engines.

Engine complaints
78
34% of 229
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
10,000 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Sudden and complete loss of engine power while driving on highways or interstates, often requiring the vehicle to coast to the shoulder.
  • Engine dropping a valve, sometimes described as punching a hole in the engine block, leading to catastrophic failure.
  • Engine stalling or seizing at low speeds, such as at a stop sign or stoplight, with shaking or shuddering before shutdown.
  • Vehicles that stall will not restart, requiring towing to a dealer for diagnosis or full engine replacement.
  • Some failures occur with no warning lights or dashboard alerts before the engine quits.
  • Engine shutdown accompanied by shuddering, coughing, or sputtering symptoms before complete failure.

When 2021 Ford Bronco engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 20, 2022, latest Sep 22, 2026.

2021 Ford Bronco engine complaints: complaints filed per month14Jan 2022May 2022Sep 2022Jan 2023Dec 2023Jan 2025Jul 2025Feb 2026
78 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Feb 2022 (14).

Engine recalls for the 2021 Ford Bronco

  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 24V635000Aug 23, 2024Engine90,736 vehicles

    Engine and 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 in engine failure and a loss of drive power.

    Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S55.

Engine complaints by Bronco model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 202178 (34%)
  2. 202258 (15%)
  3. 202321 (9%)
  4. 20246 (8%)
  5. 202512 (23%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2021 Ford Bronco have?
NHTSA lists 78 engine complaints for the 2021 Ford Bronco, which is 34% of the 229 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Ford Bronco engine?
Yes. Recall 24V635000 covers 2021-2022 Broncos with 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engines where intake valves may fail, requiring an engine cycle test and possible replacement. Recall 26V468000 addresses engine compartment wiring harness damage on 2021-2026 Broncos.
At what mileage do 2021 Ford Bronco engine problems typically occur?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 10,000 miles for engine complaints on the 2021 Ford Bronco.
Did the 2021 Ford Bronco engine issues cause any crashes or fires?
NHTSA records show 1 crash and 0 fires among the 78 engine complaints for the 2021 Ford Bronco, with 0 injuries reported.

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.