FORD Bronco Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls — NHTSA Data
Comparing used FORD Bronco options? We analyzed 6 model years (2021–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact FORD Bronco you plan to buy.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the FORD Bronco has 580 owner complaints and 71 safety recalls across model years 2021–2026. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2021 drew the most complaints; 2026 drew the fewest.
- Make
- FORD
- Model
- Bronco
- Model years analyzed
- 2021–2026 (6 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 580
- Safety recall campaigns
- 71
- Crash-related complaints
- 23
- Fire-related complaints
- 12
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2021 (211 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2026 (0 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Poor
FORD Bronco: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
PoorThe FORD BRONCO has 580 NHTSA complaints and 71 recalls on record. 23 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 580 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 71 federal recall campaigns
- 23 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
71 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
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Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2021–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 580 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
580 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The Pre-Collision Assist false-triggers on turns daily, flashing the red collision warning and actively applying autonomous emergency braking without any obstruction present. This phantom braking is a severe safety hazard. The vehicle has been serviced before for this issue - and is going back to the shop next week (for the same issue).
Car would shut off shortly after using remote start on key fob then display a warning on digital instrument cluster for two days now. It would also show my speed going back and forth from 0 to 1mph while parked.
I am filing a safety complaint regarding repeated windshield cracking on my new 2025 Ford Bronco. I purchased the vehicle approximately 2 months ago. Since purchase, the vehicle has experienced 3 separate windshield cracks under normal commuting use only. The vehicle has not been used off-road or in extreme driving conditions. The most concerning issue is that after the windshield was replaced, the replacement windshield developed another crack within approximately 24 hours of installation. The dealership has repeatedly classified the damage as “normal road debris” or “rock impact,” but I am concerned this may involve a structural, installation, or manufacturing defect rather than ordinary wear and tear. My concerns are based on the following: Multiple windshield failures in a very short period of ownership Failure occurring on a brand-new replacement windshield within 24 hours Normal commuting use only Concern for stress-related cracking, improper installation, body/frame flex, or windshield mounting issues Potential safety hazard involving driver visibility and windshield integrity I am requesting investigation into possible manufacturing, installation, or structural defects involving windshield cracking or windshield mounting systems on the 2025 Ford Bronco. I am also aware of other Ford Bronco owner complaints involving repeated windshield cracking and windshield-related issues. This issue creates ongoing safety concerns due to impaired visibility and repeated glass failure in a nearly new vehicle.
On [XXX] at [XXX] PM I was driving westbound on [XXX] at [XXX] while traveling through the intersection, my vehicle started shaking, lost acceleration, and nearly caused me to have a collision. My vehicles check engine light began flashing, and I was able to safely exit the highway. On May 20, 2026, Crouse Ford diagnosed a “cylinder #6”, however attributed the event as “an anomaly”, and no corrective action was taken despite the seriousness of the safety concerns. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
This is in reference to Safety Campaign 26S32. My fiancé owns a 2025 Ford Bronco 5 door and her roof has the same exact issue that is described in this safety campaign. Before the vehicle had 5000 miles on it the roof had already begun to show cracks, honeycombing and is beginning to show signs of delamination. The vehicle is going to our local dealer in a week to hopefully have the roof replaced under warranty but I doubt that permanently fixes the issue. Fords comment that they have resolved the issue is patently false. I will gladly send photos of the cracks as soon as possible but this safety campaign, in my opinion, should be extended to all of Broncos from 2021 to current.
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Bronco. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle depressing the brake pedal, heard a clunking noise and on for second the vehicle attempts to move while in park. The contact mention he could hear clunking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken a dealer to be diagnosed, however the diagnoses was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number:25V164000 (Power Train), however the VIN was not included in the recall The manufacturer was not notified on the failure, and they informed him to take the vehicle to dealer. failure mileage was 2,200.
After only 880 miles, the clutch and cylinder have failed.
Sunday April 19 2026, in a drive thru while stopped, the following alerts popped up with their corresponding dash lights: Check Brake System Park Brake limited service function Pre-collision assist not available Service Advance Track Brake pedal lost vacuum / pressure and became hard. Brake would not engage and needed to use electric park brake to stop vehicle. Got out of the drive thru and into an empty parking lot. I tried accelerating and then stopping but vehicle would not stop while pressing the brake. Used e brake again to stop. I turned vehicle off and back on. All errors did not pop up again and there were no lights on the dash. While driving home less then a mile from original incident location, the same errors and brake failure occurred while going 30+ miles per hour. Same issue with a hard brake pedal occurred. This time, if brake pedal was depressed far enough, the e brake would engage but only the rear wheels would lock up and vehicle would skid/slide in order to slow down. I have video recordings of these incidents. Brake system failed as vehicle lost ability to brake at low and high speeds. The loss of brakes could result in a car crash and deaths. The vehicle has been towed to a ford dealer and they are in possession of the vehicle. They are currently investigating the issue. The vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer or authority agency. There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to the brake system failing. The brakes worked normally and then suddenly failed.
Crain Ford in Jacksonville Arkansas (72076) sold me this vehicle while it was under a national stop-sale with an active recall and expected me to make payments on the loan while they held the vehicle for several months.
Description: My 2025 Ford Bronco suffered a catastrophic failure of both rear shock absorver external reservoirs, consistent with Recall 25S01 (NHTSA 25V025). The reservoirs detached intirely while driving out-of-state, forcing an 800-mile transit with 5 passengers on an unstable suspension. Issue: Upon presenting the vehicle to Interstate Ford, the dealer and a Ford Representative issued a formal denial of warranty coverage. They cited Claim Type 14, Condition Code 39 ("Missing Part"). Why it's a Safet Risk: Ford is using the severity of the defect - the fact that the part sepearated - as a reason to deny the repair, even though Recall 25S01 explicitly warns that the defect causes "seperation fo the external reservoir." This is a refusal to remedy a known safety defect that has already caused a hazardous driving condition.
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Bronco. The contact was made aware by the Turo App that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V124000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.
This vehicle had an open safety recall at the time the dealership sold it to me. The recall existed before the sale and the dealership knew or should have known about it. The dealer submitted loan paperwork and accepted funding but never delivered the vehicle to me. I was not informed of the open recall before signing. This is a safety and compliance issue involving a dealer selling a vehicle with an unrepaired recall
On oct. 26, 2025, I was in a bad car accident. I was coming home and came to a stop on Spring Street.In Marion. MA before entering Rte 6 . I looked both ways and the rte was clear. I looked again both ways and still was clear, so I moved my 2025 Bronco Badlands onto the Rte 6 and within seconds I was hit very hard on the front left quarter. My SUV spun around at least 270º and I was immediately taken to the ER nearby (Tobey Hospital) for Brain and neck Studies. No airbags deployed. I have photos of the vehicle showing my damage. The driver of the other car must have been speeding as the hit was huge. I was the sole person in my car. The Marion PD Officer who was in charge of this accident changed the story to say "I looked both ways, saw a car coming and I moved forward" into Rte 6 to get home around the corner. I had injuries all over my body and brain with concussion/mild TBI. There were no witnesses and the building near the scene of the MVA had a professional camera over their front door. They would not let me see the video. They did let the other driver see the video The angle of this cam was changed from straight across the street looking at the scene directly. I had no way of knowing what happened and I have spent about a half a year getting therapy at three different physical therapy sites/hospital. I asked the Police to see if I could ask the State Police if they would do a Collision Analysis and Reconstruction so I could know what happened as I was labeled At Fault which I understood if the other driver was driving normally and safely. I was told that if no one is seriously hurt or dead then they would do it. I lost my memory and am still getting visual changes and severe headaches. The series of Radiologic images show that I had lots of Damage. I am a XXX Physician and I know I was hit by surprise and never saw the other car because of the angles of the road. I told photos and have images of the scene and of my car and the other car
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V124000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owned a 2025 Ford Bronco. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, another driver pulled closer to the vehicle and honked to get the contact's attention. The contact stated that upon rolling down the window, the contact noticed flames coming from the front driver's side wheel well. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side and exited the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle completely burned from the front end to the front seats. The contact stated that the fire originated from the driver's side of the engine compartment. The front driver's side of the vehicle sustained more fire damage than the passenger's side of the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A fire department report and a police report were filed. There was no reported injury. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was a total loss. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 13,500.
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Bronco. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V124000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION) after contacting the manufacturer. The contact had recently purchased the vehicle and was not informed about the recall. The contact became aware afterwards that the part was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
I am sending this to anonymously report a critical compliance issue at Stivers Ford in Birmingham, Alabama. They are actively selling brand-new vehicles with active safety recalls. Dealership employees have openly admitted to taking brand-new, never-titled vehicles and delivering them to end consumers. They are doing this even though recall 26S09 is still active and it has absolutely no remedy available right now. This is a HUGE safety problem. The Proof: • Stock B9380, VIN [XXX] • Stock B9259, VIN [XXX] These two units are just the tip of the iceberg. I am confident that a deeper look will uncover many more cases across all of their dealerships. We need to look into this and make sure they stop delivering unsafe vehicles immediately. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
on Jan 15, 2025. A cold start for the Bronco, putting in reverse, the vehicle lurched back and to the hard right, uncommanded acceleration at a high rate of speed, steering locked up, brakes locked up, tires spinning, engine revving causing the bronco to smash into the exterior of my home garage area. Then, shifting to drive, the vehicle again lurched, uncommanded acceleration hard to the left now, steering locked up, brakes locked up, tires spinning engine revving traveling 20-30 feet crashing into the electrical box coming to rest on top of it. Numerous faults showing multiple systems malfunctioning causing this incident.
I have experienced three total brake failures in my 2025 Ford Bronco. During the most recent incident on 2-18-2026 the brake pedal traveled completely to the floorboard, requiring extreme force and multiple pumps to stop the vehicle. This appears to be the exact failure described in Ford Recall 25S77 (NHTSA Campaign 25V488) regarding the Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module. The vehicle was presented to Suntrup Ford twice previously for this issue, but the defect was not corrected. I am reporting a life-threatening safety failure. After February 18th 2026 brake failure I had bronco towed to Suntrup Ford in Kirkwood Missouri and that's where it will stay. I am too frightened to drive it again.
Structural crack in molded in color roof compromising the integrity of vehicle roof.
Showing 20 of 580 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Before You Buy, Check the Exact FORD Bronco
These pages show model-year patterns across 6years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The FORD Bronco has 580 complaints on record across 6 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The FORD Bronco has 71 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 23 of the FORD Bronco's 580 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all FORD Bronco vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two FORD Bronco vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The FORD Bronco has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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📍 Check a FORD Bronco by State
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used FORD Bronco.