FORD Bronco Reliability by YearBest & 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.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the FORD Bronco has 1,053 owner complaints and 103 safety recalls across model years 2021–2026. The most reported issue area is VISIBILITY/WIPER. 2022 drew the most complaints; 2026 drew the fewest.
- Make
- FORD
- Model
- Bronco
- Model years analyzed
- 2021–2026 (6 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 1,053
- Safety recall campaigns
- 103
- Crash-related complaints
- 41
- Fire-related complaints
- 15
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2022 (364 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2026 (13 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
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.
Crash test ratings
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.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe FORD BRONCO has 1,053 NHTSA complaints and 103 recalls on record. 41 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 1,053 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 103 federal recall campaigns
- 41 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
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
103 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
STRUCTURE:BODY
ENGINE
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:VALVES/VALVE BODY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 1,053 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
1,053 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.
Seat beat created a laceration on arm with normal use.
The contact owns a 2026 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH and depressing the accelerator to make a left turn, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The transmission shifted into neutral, and the vehicle coasted forward. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and activated the hazard lights. The system was reset, and the vehicle was able to accelerate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate or determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure; however, the dealer contacted the manufacturer and confirmed the dealer's decision of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 617.
Description On your vehicle, it may be possible that one or more engine camshaft roller finger followers were not properly installed at the time of engine assembly. Safety Risk An improperly installed engine camshaft roller finger follower may result in engine failure, resulting in a no-start condition or a loss of motive power. A loss of motive power increases the risk of a crash. Your vehicle may also experience engine ticking or tapping noise, and or a low-volume oil leak due to this condition. Remedy A remedy is not yet available. Ford Motor Company is working to provide parts for this repair. When the remedy becomes available, Ford Motor Company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer for repairs to be completed free of charge. The remedy is anticipated to be available 4TH quarter of 2026. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service. NOTE: Recall service not available right now. We have a remedy but parts are not available right now. We will inform you when the service is available. Or, you can contact your dealer.
The 2026 Ford Bronco Outer Banks instrument cluster has gone blank on two occasions (4/3/26 and 4/23/29). The first time the service department at Joe Mahan Ford, Paris, TN reported the display returned when connected to thier computer, but kept the Bronco for several days trying to replicate the condition. I returned it to the dealer for the same fault on 4/27/26 and it is still in the shop. With the Cluster blank the gauges, speedometer, cruise control, lane warning and assist are not operational. Speed limit and travel speeds are visible on the Car Play navigation screen. I’ll update this complaint upon dealer release.
Summary of the Safety Problem: A 2026 Ford Bronco rolled out of its parked position with no occupants, despite being left in Park, and collided with another vehicle. Full Description of the Incident: The Ford Bronco was placed in Park, was not running, and had no occupants. I exited the vehicle several times to reinstall the removable roof panels. The vehicle remained stationary during this process. After completing the roof panel installation, my wife and I closed the doors and trunk and we walked toward the building. A witness (the owner of the other car that was involved in car collision ) confirmed that the Bronco was still parked where we left it. A short time later, we learned that the Bronco had rolled out of its parking spot and struck a parked car. The Bronco had not been touched, driven, or moved by anyone after we walked away that we were aware of. There were no warning signs that we were aware of. The police were at the scene and filed a report. This was a Enterprise Car Rental Vehicle with approx. 1,300 miles. I am unsure if this vehicle has been inspected by Enterprise. Damage / Injuries: •Collision with a parked car. •No injuries reported. •Police report filed (attached). •Photos available (attached). Why This Is a Safety Defect: A vehicle that rolls away while in Park violates the intent of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 114, which aims to prevent accidental rollaway. This Bronco should not have moved under any circumstances once placed in Park. What You Request NHTSA to Investigate: •Whether the 2026 Ford Bronco has a defect in its Park mechanism, parking brake system, or electronic controls that can cause unintended rollaway. •Whether similar complaints exist for this model year. •Whether a recall or inspection campaign is warranted to prevent future incidents. Attachments Included: •Police Accident Report •Photos of vehicle positions and damage •Rental agreement
Seat beat created a laceration on arm with normal use.
Read 14 more owner reports
The contact owns a 2026 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH and depressing the accelerator to make a left turn, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The transmission shifted into neutral, and the vehicle coasted forward. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and activated the hazard lights. The system was reset, and the vehicle was able to accelerate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate or determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure; however, the dealer contacted the manufacturer and confirmed the dealer's decision of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 617.
Description On your vehicle, it may be possible that one or more engine camshaft roller finger followers were not properly installed at the time of engine assembly. Safety Risk An improperly installed engine camshaft roller finger follower may result in engine failure, resulting in a no-start condition or a loss of motive power. A loss of motive power increases the risk of a crash. Your vehicle may also experience engine ticking or tapping noise, and or a low-volume oil leak due to this condition. Remedy A remedy is not yet available. Ford Motor Company is working to provide parts for this repair. When the remedy becomes available, Ford Motor Company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer for repairs to be completed free of charge. The remedy is anticipated to be available 4TH quarter of 2026. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service. NOTE: Recall service not available right now. We have a remedy but parts are not available right now. We will inform you when the service is available. Or, you can contact your dealer.
The 2026 Ford Bronco Outer Banks instrument cluster has gone blank on two occasions (4/3/26 and 4/23/29). The first time the service department at Joe Mahan Ford, Paris, TN reported the display returned when connected to thier computer, but kept the Bronco for several days trying to replicate the condition. I returned it to the dealer for the same fault on 4/27/26 and it is still in the shop. With the Cluster blank the gauges, speedometer, cruise control, lane warning and assist are not operational. Speed limit and travel speeds are visible on the Car Play navigation screen. I’ll update this complaint upon dealer release.
Summary of the Safety Problem: A 2026 Ford Bronco rolled out of its parked position with no occupants, despite being left in Park, and collided with another vehicle. Full Description of the Incident: The Ford Bronco was placed in Park, was not running, and had no occupants. I exited the vehicle several times to reinstall the removable roof panels. The vehicle remained stationary during this process. After completing the roof panel installation, my wife and I closed the doors and trunk and we walked toward the building. A witness (the owner of the other car that was involved in car collision ) confirmed that the Bronco was still parked where we left it. A short time later, we learned that the Bronco had rolled out of its parking spot and struck a parked car. The Bronco had not been touched, driven, or moved by anyone after we walked away that we were aware of. There were no warning signs that we were aware of. The police were at the scene and filed a report. This was a Enterprise Car Rental Vehicle with approx. 1,300 miles. I am unsure if this vehicle has been inspected by Enterprise. Damage / Injuries: •Collision with a parked car. •No injuries reported. •Police report filed (attached). •Photos available (attached). Why This Is a Safety Defect: A vehicle that rolls away while in Park violates the intent of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 114, which aims to prevent accidental rollaway. This Bronco should not have moved under any circumstances once placed in Park. What You Request NHTSA to Investigate: •Whether the 2026 Ford Bronco has a defect in its Park mechanism, parking brake system, or electronic controls that can cause unintended rollaway. •Whether similar complaints exist for this model year. •Whether a recall or inspection campaign is warranted to prevent future incidents. Attachments Included: •Police Accident Report •Photos of vehicle positions and damage •Rental agreement
Information panel warning lights on dash or wiring system short I was driving at a slow speed and without warning my hood flies up and shatters the windshield and truck flies open dropping all my luggage out
2026 Bronco SportDescription Your vehicle may display a blank instrument panel cluster ipc screen upon startup. This may occur when the vehicle is restarted within a specific time interval after turning the vehicle off. Safety Risk A blank ipc screen will prevent the driver from seeing critical vehicle information such as the speedometer, warning lights, and warning messages. The inability to see this information increases the risk of a crash. Remedy Software is now available to repair your vehicle. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to update the instrument panel cluster free of charge. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service. NOTE: Recall incomplete Recall service not available right now. We have a remedy but parts are not available right now. We will inform you when the service is available. Or, you can contact your dealer.
Adaptive +predictive cruise control malfunction causing 1) sudden vehicle acceleration and 2) Cruise on but disengaged suddenly engaged and set a higher speed than originally set. Merged into light traffic on 4 lane interstate, no other vehicles within 200yds or so. Turned on, then set cruise control at 70mph, about 10 seconds later I felt the car surge, I looked down, saw the cruise indicator now showed 80, tapped the brakes to disengage. About 2 miles later repeated the same but was watching and vehicle repeated same behavior, I turned the system off. About 2 miles later I repeated the same with the same result. Each time set to 70 and within 10-20 seconds vehicle accelerated to a self set higher speed - 80. Problem 2, a few miles later, after a merge onto another interstate the speed limit changed tried this again except this time, as a came out of the curve (doing about 45mph) I turned the cruise on, a few seconds later I look down and watch the cruise indicator turn from white (on but not engaged) to green (on and engaged) without touching the set button. On the return trip I duplicated the acceleration twice more. 4 days later dealership service called to confirm that they reproduced problem 1 and were in contact with the manufacturer for how to proceed. No warning lights or messages, dealership service stated no fault codes.
The most recent recall on my vehicle has not been corrected by my local Ford dealer yet. The deadline was July 31, 2026 and it is now August 17, 2026.
JUL 20, 2026 Manufacturer Recall Number26S55 NHTSA Recall Number26V468 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary ON my VEHICLE, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS COVERING MAY CHAFE AND EXPOSE INTERNAL CIRCUITS, WHICH CAN CREATE A SHORT TO GROUND. It’s a Safety Risk. HEAT OR SPARK AT THIS SHORT MAY CAUSE SMOKE OR IGNITE NEARBY FLAMMABLE COMPONENTS. SMOKE OR FIRE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY OR A CRASH. A REMEDY IS NOT YET AVAILABLE.
MIC Hardtop is cracking and honeycomb
Vehicle hands free for phone is not understandable to others after a software update over a year ago. After an automatic software update I made a phone call and the person called complained about me not being understandable. I disconnected and called again. Still unreadable. I tried calling someone else. Not readable. Was told I sounded like I had my head in a bucket of water. I called a third person. Not readable. All this happened immediately after the software update. I took my vehicle to the dealer the first opportunity I had time. The problem was verified by a service tech. He did a hard reboot of the system. The problem did not improve. I was asked to make an appointment. The vehicle has been back to the dealer many times since. The problem has not been resolved. The SAFETY PROBLEM is that I am not able to use my phone hands free. PA passed a law that touching a phone is a moving violation. The dealer said it was my phone. I have a Kyocera ruggedized phone. I replaced it with a newer version of the phone. Cost was over $800. FYI - I have used my phone on my wife's Bronco which has NEVER had a software update as the auto updates was turned off. I also own a Ford F-350 with Sync3 and the phone works fine. I was driving a Mack dump truck with hands free. No problem. I have checked it on 2 friends Honda cars. No problem. Apparently my phone works with everything but my Ford Bronco. Sometime during the last few months there was a safety recall for the same entertainment system that the phone uses going black. I never had this problem. Ford engineering still says the problem is my phone. I am not replacing my phone again to find that I still can't be understood. I have done some online research on this and found posts on multiple bulletin boards there seems to be the same problem with other owners of Ford Broncos and F-150s with Sync4. Not being able to use the hands free is a serious safety problem.
I notified the dealership where I bought the vehicle of the issue when it first happened in Feb 2025. I have since notified them 3 additional times and I have called Ford Motor Company, twice. The roof leaks in heavy rain while driving and when going through a car wash. The water streams inside and runs down onto the lighted vanity mirror which is connected to the electrical system of the vehicle and hits the driver in the face with water. The dealership said that they tried to reproduce the issue but couldn’t get it to leak. It’s because they aren’t using water at a high pressure and speed. I have since found that the issue is know as it is listed on the internet in multiple places.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that on several occasions, the APIM overheated, and the rearview camera was inoperable. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V124000 (Back Over Prevention). Additionally, the power windows and AC were inoperable due to the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled due to the APIM overheating. The dealer was contacted, and a repair of the vehicle was pending. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Bronco. The contact recieved notice of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V268000 (Seats). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken in to a dealer where the failed the inspection and she was notified that the bolt could come loose. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure where she was notified that they did not have the part available at this time. The failure mileage was approximately 9,004.
Showing 20 of 1,053 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact FORD Bronco
These pages show model-year patterns across 6 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used FORD Bronco, in plain English.
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 1,053 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 103 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. 41 of the FORD Bronco's 1,053 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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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.
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FORD Bronco reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the FORD Bronco reliable?
Poor. The FORD Bronco has 1,053 NHTSA owner complaints and 103 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is VISIBILITY/WIPER. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which FORD Bronco years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2022 (364 complaints), 2021 (223 complaints), 2023 (216 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common FORD Bronco problems?
Top reported issues: VISIBILITY/WIPER (175 complaints); ENGINE (172 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (137 complaints).
Does the FORD Bronco have recalls?
Yes — 103 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the FORD Bronco. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.