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2021 Ford Bronco Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 202611 Critical Recalls
Daniel Wilson
2021 Ford Bronco Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2021 Ford Bronco has 248 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve engine and unknown or other.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

5.4/ 10

Based on 248 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ENGINE

65 26.2%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

21 8.5%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

20 8.1%

SUSPENSION

20 8.1%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

15 6%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ENGINE, accounting for 26.2% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 33 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2021 Ford Bronco

The 2021 Ford Bronco has 248 owner complaints in this dataset. ENGINE is the most common complaint category, representing about 26% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2021 Ford Bronco are ENGINE (65), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (21), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (20).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 160 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2021 Ford Bronco?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2022 Bronco complaints2023 Bronco complaints2024 Bronco complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 33 of 33 systems

ENGINE

65 Reports26% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The 2.7 L engine failed going down the interstate in the middle lane. Complete loss of power. Was fortunate to be able to coast to the shoulder. Dealer says the engine failed and needs to be replaced.

1/20/2022

Without any warning lamps, messages or any other symptoms, lost acceleration power going roughly 45mph. I was traveling on a rural road, but this could have caused a serious accident if this would’ve happened in traffic or a highway. Dealer diagnosed a dropped valve in 2.7L engine, almost 2400 miles.

1/22/2022

63 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

21 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

MY FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED IN A MANNER THAT IS UNSAFE. IT HAS 2 IDENTICAL CRACKS ON EACH SIDE. SMALL ROCKS HIT THE GLASS AND CAUSED INSTANT CRACKS WELL OVER 8 INCHES IN LENGTH. I FEEL THAT THE GLASS IS NOT IMPACT RATED CORRECTLY OR TOO THIN. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A WINDSHIELD CRACK LIKE THIS FROM THE IMPACT OF A SMALL ROCK. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON ONLINE FORUMS OF THESE WINDSHIELDS CRACKING ON THE NEW BRONCO.

11/3/2021

Rear glass lift gate exploded. Wind advisory was in effect but no surrounding cars were disturbed. The vehicle was parked and fully secure.

12/19/2021

19 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

20 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The Wiper Motor or electrical controlling the Wiper Motor. When the two high wiper blade settings are selected, the wipers run for around 30-40 seconds, then slow down and eventually stop. You can watch it happen. This has happened while having snow and rain on my windshield. In order to get them to start going again full speed you need to turn the switch. I feel this takes my focus off of the road during unfriendly road conditions and puts me and others at risk. The condition has been reproduced by my dealership and I have had my truck to the dealership twice for this problem. The first time they replaced the motor and the second time they said they couldn't fix it. They compared it to another one on the dealers lot and it did the same thing. They said if a bulletin came out on the problem, they would contact me to get it fixed. There were no warning lights. This first happened a couple weeks after picking up my truck new from the dealership. I have a video of it, but cannot attach it. If needed, I can email it to you. Thank you

2/10/2022

1. Vehicle Issue. -At approximately 2k miles while driving through severe weather in the Rocky Mountains my New Bronco lost ALL electronic driving systems that controlled driving modes including 4 wheel drive modes(GOAT) along with safety systems such as traction control, sensor systems, and cruise control. I was forced to drive through a white out in Rocky Mountains with 2 wheel drive due to the electronic GOAT modes failing. This was a dangerous situation as the systems I was relying on failed me when I needed them most. These systems failed off and on for the next three months before mysteriously subsiding. 2. Attempts to resolve. - Took vehicle to Ford dealer to identify issue and they said there was no record of these failures in the code system which is extremely concerning. If I had gone off the road and injured myself and or died Ford would attempt to say there was no electronic failure when in fact there was a significant electronic failure of ALL traction systems. Fortunately I took video and photo evidence of the electronic failures. Alarmingly, these failures are not being recorded within the vehicle.

6/9/2022

18 more complaints are available in this category.

SUSPENSION

20 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was lopsided due to the driver's side front suspension measuring 38.25 inches from the ground while the passenger's side rear suspension measured 40.5 inches from the ground. The contact was concerned that in the event of a tire blowout, the weight distribution would cause a rollover. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a faulty suspension that needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle performed as designed per the factory package. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 9.

9/12/2022

The stock bilstein shocks lost the reservoir for hydraulic fluids causing shock absorber to fail while driving. the canister simply fell off. I didn't hit anything other than normal bumps in the road. The vehicle has never been in an accident or offroad to cause the canister to fall off. Many other owners have complained on different blog sites about this same issue. This causes the vehicle to bounce uncontrollably since the shocks are rendered useless without the hydraulic canister/reservoir. Bouncing down the highway is super dangerous, and Ford didn't really seem to be worried that this is happening when I called the 800 Ford Assistance number two different times. I think a recall of these shock absorbers is required. I ended up having to pay for brand new shocks after 36,600 miles and Ford told me I had to use OEM (same bad designed shocks) to maintain my extended warranty. Please research and recall this dangerous part. Here is one forum discussing the issue. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2/22/2024

18 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

15 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

On June 9, 2022, while traveling on an Interstate Highway at about 80 mph, the engine sputtered and died without any warning light activation. The vehicle failure caused an extremely unsafe condition which caused me to navigate without power, in moderate traffic, from the #1 lane, across the #2 lane and onto the shoulder. The failure caused me to perform this high risk maneuver in front of an approaching big rig traveling in the #2 lane. The vehicle was towed to the nearest Ford dealership where an inspection determined the fuel pump had failed. The fuel pump was replaced but the dealership did not know if the replacement had been redesigned to prevent such catastrophic failures in the future. The loss of power was sudden and immediate without any prior warning messages and/or warning lamp activation.

6/22/2022

Whilst traveling at highway speeds on the Jersey Turnpike, black smoke suddenly started emanating from the rear of the vehicle. All power was suddenly lost from the vehicle, with the accelerator pedal being nonfunctional. I was able, even though the vehicle was starting to fill with smoke and leave a trail of smoke behind, navigate across the lanes to the hard shoulder. The engine had of course ceased to run. At this time I exited the vehicle to assess the situation. Upon finding no obvious defects and the smoke having cleared, I reentered the vehicle, to see what the engine would do when the key was turned. The engine would not turn over, with only items running off of battery power. Basically the car was dead. At this time I called a AAA for a tow of the car. Unfortunately AAA can't tow on the New Jersey Turnpike, so a local tow company had to be called, to transport the car to a local exit. After the car was deposited in a car park close by, I then reached out to AAA to transport the car to my local Ford dealer. The Bronco was taken to Stamford Ford, in CT, where after inspection, we were told the car had suffered a "catastrophic failure". The vehicle took over one month before it was returned, as the whole engine had to be rebuilt.

7/28/2022

13 more complaints are available in this category.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

14 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The Wiper Motor or electrical controlling the Wiper Motor. When the two high wiper blade settings are selected, the wipers run for around 30-40 seconds, then slow down and eventually stop. You can watch it happen. This has happened while having snow and rain on my windshield. In order to get them to start going again full speed you need to turn the switch. I feel this takes my focus off of the road during unfriendly road conditions and puts me and others at risk. The condition has been reproduced by my dealership and I have had my truck to the dealership twice for this problem. The first time they replaced the motor and the second time they said they couldn't fix it. They compared it to another one on the dealers lot and it did the same thing. They said if a bulletin came out on the problem, they would contact me to get it fixed. There were no warning lights. This first happened a couple weeks after picking up my truck new from the dealership. I have a video of it, but cannot attach it. If needed, I can email it to you. Thank you

2/10/2022

When operating the wipers at either of the highest/fastest settings (LOW and HIGH), after about 45 seconds, the wipers will revert to intermittent. This happens at various driving speeds (not specific to driving slow or fast). When driving in heavy rain, it is very dangerous to suddenly not have adequate wipers.

2/28/2022

12 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

13 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The 21 Bronco is sold and marketed as being set up and safe to flat tow recreationally. The problem is with the 2.7l engine which has an Electric Brake Booster. After 45 mins the Battery Management system turns the Electric Brake Booster off. Thus the brakes are not powered and the required by law, brake system (3rd party) can not apply enough pressure. This is a SERIOUS design flaw. I have reached out to FORD, they denied that there is a global problem and asked me to contact my dealer. The dealer search TSB's and other systems and saw no notations and thus did not want to see the vehicle. I have asked to speak to a Bronco engineer and was denied. This is a known and confirmed issue to be found on any RV or Bronco Forum using search. PLEASE help me put pressure on FORD to fix this SERIOUS safety issue. This an on going issue thus date information below is irrelevant. 3rd party braking system is an Airforce One by Demco and was professionally installed, it functions as it should.

2/23/2022

Flat Towing my 2021 Ford Bronco with 2.7 V6 engine. After connecting my Bronco to the motorhome and putting it in the tow mode the following will occur. About 45 mins after turning the ignition off and closing the doors the EBB (Electronic Brake Boost) in the Bronco shuts down leaving the Bronco without any brake boost and leaves the supplemental brake system ineffective. When first connecting the Bronco to the motorhome the brake boost is active and the supplemental bakes system must be set to match, or it will lock up the brakes on the Bronco when you stop. After the boost shuts down the supplemental brake system cannot apply enough force to the Bronco brakes to assist in stopping and all at once it takes a much greater distance to stop the motorhome than it did when the boost was working.

2/23/2022

11 more complaints are available in this category.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

8 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that he received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V165000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN tool showed no recall associated with the VIN.

5/3/2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V825000 (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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure but stated that the VIN was not included in the recall as per the information in their system. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

6/30/2023

6 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

6 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

At present no incident has occurred. I am in the process of purchasing a 2021 Ford Bronco with the associated VIN number. The vehicle was delivered to the dealership, but as per guidance from corporate they are unable to now sell the vehicle. Ford has not determined a course of action and I am unable to purchase the vehicle. This is wholly unacceptable.

10/27/2021

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V770000 (Air Bags) 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

11/22/2021

4 more complaints are available in this category.

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

6 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The vehicle will throw a warning saying the cross trafic collision is in operable. A ford tech looked at it and said a wiring harness is chaffed causing blind spot monitioring and cross traffic collision systems to not work. Cost of the part only is $700, not including labor. this is a very serious fault, which could result in injury and fatalitys

12/29/2024

I am receiving Blind spot and cross traffic failure alerts in my vehicle dashboard indicating these systems are not working properly. This is a known issue by many Bronco owners. I believe its due to a bad installation design where the wires naturally rub up against the bumper and with weather exposure they are failing.

5/15/2025

4 more complaints are available in this category.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING

6 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The vehicle will throw a warning saying the cross trafic collision is in operable. A ford tech looked at it and said a wiring harness is chaffed causing blind spot monitioring and cross traffic collision systems to not work. Cost of the part only is $700, not including labor. this is a very serious fault, which could result in injury and fatalitys

12/29/2024

I am receiving Blind spot and cross traffic failure alerts in my vehicle dashboard indicating these systems are not working properly. This is a known issue by many Bronco owners. I believe its due to a bad installation design where the wires naturally rub up against the bumper and with weather exposure they are failing.

5/15/2025

4 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated after the vehicle was parked in the rain, he noticed on the passenger’s side A-pillar, where the air bag marking was located that water was leaking into the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the cause was discovered as a clip was damaged allowing the water to get into the A-pillar. The dealer repaired the failure by adding additional sealant to the area. The contact stated he looked at the repair and contacted the dealer stating the repair was not proper. The dealer informed the contact that a TSB was recently issued for the failure. The contact was waiting for an appointment as parts needed to be ordered to repair the failure. The manufacturer was notified, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 600.

11/18/2021

water is leaking from the passenger side roof through the passenger side door airbag when it rains. The passenger side top door airbag is constantly getting wet from this leak as water passes through.

12/29/2021

3 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the rear window clips fractured, causing the window to detach and fall onto the roadway in traffic. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been diagnosed by the dealer and determined that the failure was the depillar clip. The vehicle had not been repaired by the dealer because the part was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the part was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

9/8/2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal popping sound from the rear of the vehicle. When the contact stopped at his destination, he observed that the rear removable soft top had come loosened, and the plastic clips used to hold the soft top in place had fractured due to the force of the air blowing over the roof of the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred for the second time and had been previously repaired a year prior. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 23-2091 Loose Exterior Fabric on Rear Window (Structure). The failure mileage was 42,725.

3/12/2024

3 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact had received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V635000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), 25V025000 (Suspension), 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts for all four recalls were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the rear camera intermittently displayed a distorted image while the vehicle was in reverse. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available for NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V025000, 25V315000, and 25V455000. Parts distribution disconnect for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V635000.

7/14/2025

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

7/21/2025

3 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Transmission broke at 4,884 miles reversing out of the driveway. The driveway has no grade and never sits on a hill.

5/19/2022

In November 2021, I received delivery of my new Ford Bronco 4WD Badlands vehicle. I went for a road trip with my family and friends in my new car. While driving back, the car engine light appeared on the dashboard, along with the service alert, and the car began to make noise. I pulled over and tried to restart the car, but it never started. We were in the mountains, where there was no signal for more than ten miles. We were completely stranded, along with my kids, who were 13 and 16 at the time, and one of my friends' 8-year-old daughter. We were fortunate to be with our friends and he was able to take us to a near-safe area where we could contact Ford and the dealership. After 5 hours of waiting in a safe zone, we received a towing truck. I picked up the car with the towing driver and parked it at a nearly Ford dealership. We had to book a hotel room in the area, and the next morning I went to the local Ford dealership to request an appointment to see the problem, but they said they didn't have any appointments available for another three weeks and insisted I call Ford customer service again. Ford customer service arranged for the same towing company that came last night to help haul the car to my dealership, where I purchased this car. My local Towne Ford dealership was nice enough to inspect and repair the car, but after a few days, I had a similar issue and they suggested that they replace the engine with a new one. The dealership took nearly a month to ship and repair the engine replacement. A few weeks ago, as my family and I were driving from SF to LA, my car suddenly lost power. I kept getting the message, "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power fault detected," and later, "Service Engine Soon warning," which states that the engine control system has determined that the turbocharger is producing less boost than normal.It was shocking because I was on vacation with my family in LA, and the kids were terrified to even be in the car. this are some experiences

9/30/2022

2 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V635000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 25V025000 (Suspension); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that there was hydraulic fluid leaking from the vehicle near the rear struts. While driving approximately 35-45 MPH, one fluid reservoir on the driver’s side rear strut detached from the vehicle. The contact continued to drive to an independent mechanic. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that both rear struts were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. Additionally, the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was towed to another mechanic who replaced the struts. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to request a reimbursement. The failure mileage was 40,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

2/20/2025

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V025000 (SUSPENSION) and 24V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

4/14/2025

2 more complaints are available in this category.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. While starting the vehicle the contact became aware of a line crack on the front of the windshield. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,337.

6/2/2022

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated the front windshield cracked and was repaired by the dealer; prior to the second crack that occurred while driving approximately 35 MPH. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, they diagnosed no failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.

7/21/2022

1 more complaint is available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

1. Vehicle Issue. -At approximately 2k miles while driving through severe weather in the Rocky Mountains my New Bronco lost ALL electronic driving systems that controlled driving modes including 4 wheel drive modes(GOAT) along with safety systems such as traction control, sensor systems, and cruise control. I was forced to drive through a white out in Rocky Mountains with 2 wheel drive due to the electronic GOAT modes failing. This was a dangerous situation as the systems I was relying on failed me when I needed them most. These systems failed off and on for the next three months before mysteriously subsiding. 2. Attempts to resolve. - Took vehicle to Ford dealer to identify issue and they said there was no record of these failures in the code system which is extremely concerning. If I had gone off the road and injured myself and or died Ford would attempt to say there was no electronic failure when in fact there was a significant electronic failure of ALL traction systems. Fortunately I took video and photo evidence of the electronic failures. Alarmingly, these failures are not being recorded within the vehicle.

6/9/2022

Multiple times the engine has failed to respond to the accelerator pedal when engaged from a cold stop. The delayed response has happened several times while attempting to merge into moving traffic so even a 1 second delay is both dangerous and scary from a driver perspective. The vehicle was taken in for service recently and no problems were identified after mechanic testing. However, I wonder if this problem is related to the ongoing investigation of defective valves in the 2.7L EcoBoost engine.

7/15/2022

1 more complaint is available in this category.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I was pulling into a residential driveway and as soon as the front tires entered the driveway the pre-collision alert warning went off and when I applied the brakes they did nothing. I proceeded to roll 25+ feet and crashed into the back of a parked car in the driveway. There were people standing just to the right of the parked car I hit. The Ford dealer has had the vehicle for over 4 weeks now and all they've said is certain modules aren't communicating properly.

6/28/2022

Kepts getting hills stop brake malfunctioning anti collusion failures ant lock brake failure

7/30/2022

1 more complaint is available in this category.

STEERING

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Within days of buying this 2021 Bronco in April 2022, the power steering and drive modes (e.g., Eco, Sport) stopped working and we got the following error message: [See Steering Assist Fault - Service Required] We called the dealership in Georgia, which is far from our home, and they advised us to take it to one closer to us; the problem would be covered under warranty. We made the first available appointment with the dealership in Havana FL and took our vehicle in on July 11th. We showed the photo saying "service required" and explained that every morning the drive modes don't work and the power steering usually does not work right away. We have to re-start the vehicle to get the power steering to work, but the drive modes don't work until later in the day (usually). We get the error messages shown repeatedly below saying "drive mode not available." Despite the service department at the dealership saying they identified the malfunctioning part, Ford sent us away without approving a warranty repair—citing a policy that because the service personnel could not report a computer code for the part, Ford will not pay to fix it. The problem continues and we continue to provide photos to Ford and ask them to fix this problem for us and for anyone else who is experiencing it.

7/19/2022

Our family was traveling from Lake George New York to Boston MA on Wednesday [XXX]. As we passed another vehicle in the far left lane on [XXX] the vehicle bounced and we lost control of the backend of the vehicle and it "fish tailed" across the highway nearly causing a collision at 65 miles per hour. The anti-lock breaks were activated and we nearly collided with several cars but managed to pull into the emergency lane. The vehicle was not drivable after this incident because any pothole or bump on the highway, at speeds over 50 MPH, made the rear of the vehicle very unstable. It will skid and sway. Our vehicle is now undrivable and Ford says the only available solution is a "buy back" program and a solution will not be available until Q3 of 2025. This leaves us with a 4 year old vehicle with only 24k miles undrivable. This is not acceptable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

3/13/2025

1 more complaint is available in this category.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Ford has a recall for rearview camera issues. They say my VIN# is not included yet I have the same problem After backing up in 4-Low has ended, the back camera stays on when moving forward. The recall notice that I am not suposed to need is 22C27. I have experienced this in the off roading in Colorado. To reset the camera, I have to move to a safe spot, shut off the engine, and restart. the camera resets to normal until I back up in low gear again. Talked to someone at the Ford custome service was told over and over again I was not included. Asked about reporting my problem and they would not. So giving you the info..;.

1/3/2023

Sync 4 system has a critical issue that Ford has not fixed and is a known issue in many sync 4 systems. This causes the system to reboot at random times and reload. This includes being black and not working for many minutes so the rear camera and cross traffic do not function at all. This is a safety issue as with most SUVs the rear is a huge blind spot. Ford has not been able to update my system with a recall issued for safety concerning a different issue and the rear view camera. Ford will not replace the unit until they have sent out an update that is unknown release date. I have spoke to Ford reps and two dealerships and all refuse to fix the radio to allow for normal function.

4/11/2023

1 more complaint is available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The brake pedal was extremely stiff while depressed. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle struck a speed sign, causing the front driver's side mirror to shatter, and glass shards flew inside the vehicle, cutting the contact's son's left hand and arm. Medical attention was not received. The air bags did not deploy. No police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the brake vacuum hoses, front driver's side mirror, and quarter panel needed to be replaced. Only the brake vacuum hoses were replaced by the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that prior to the accident, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the same issue; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 20,553.

10/24/2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the brake warning lamp remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the brake booster vacuum line was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.

4/7/2025

1 more complaint is available in this category.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I was pulling into a residential driveway and as soon as the front tires entered the driveway the pre-collision alert warning went off and when I applied the brakes they did nothing. I proceeded to roll 25+ feet and crashed into the back of a parked car in the driveway. There were people standing just to the right of the parked car I hit. The Ford dealer has had the vehicle for over 4 weeks now and all they've said is certain modules aren't communicating properly.

6/28/2022

Our family was traveling from Lake George New York to Boston MA on Wednesday [XXX]. As we passed another vehicle in the far left lane on [XXX] the vehicle bounced and we lost control of the backend of the vehicle and it "fish tailed" across the highway nearly causing a collision at 65 miles per hour. The anti-lock breaks were activated and we nearly collided with several cars but managed to pull into the emergency lane. The vehicle was not drivable after this incident because any pothole or bump on the highway, at speeds over 50 MPH, made the rear of the vehicle very unstable. It will skid and sway. Our vehicle is now undrivable and Ford says the only available solution is a "buy back" program and a solution will not be available until Q3 of 2025. This leaves us with a 4 year old vehicle with only 24k miles undrivable. This is not acceptable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

3/13/2025

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the brake warning lamp remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the brake booster vacuum line was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.

4/7/2025

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that water was entering the vehicle through the roof. While the vehicle was parked, the vehicle started rolling down the hill. The contact stated that the brake pedal was continuously pumping while being depressed. The contact stated that the brake lights were illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally failed to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the battery. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the battery was replaced. The vehicle was returned to the contact with rust and mold throughout the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case and discussed a buyback. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

7/11/2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:PARKING ASSIST:SENSORS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that when shifting into the park, the front camera sensors would activate when there was no object nearby and there would be a chime. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200.

3/7/2022

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Loud grinding noise coming from transmission at 800 miles

6/3/2022

SEAT BELTS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

My toddler in his car seat while we were driving, reached over and grab the seatbelt that was closest to his car seat with his hand. As we were driving, he pulled the seatbelt as far out as he could, so that the locking mechanism was activated. After he pulled the seatbelt all the way out, he had wrapped around his neck and let go of it, and the seatbelt ended up tightening around his neck. Luckily, he was able to tell me what happened and I was able to pull off and grab the seatbelt and keep tension on it so it wouldn’t get any tighter around his neck. We had to call the fire department to cut the seatbelt off because the seatbelt was locked and getting tighter and we could not get it off his neck neck. As I called 911 I had to hold the seatbelt away from his neck from getting tighter, when the fire department got there their only option was to cut the seatbelt strap in order to remove it from his neck. Thankfully, quick thinking and holding the seatbelt away from his neck allowed me to be on the phone with 911 and when they got here allowed me to hold it away from his neck to keep it from choking him and potentially him turning blue from no oxygen. The seatbelt strap did leave a red mark on his neck from being wrapped around.

1/13/2023

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

When my vehicle was warming up I noticed two plumes of smoke coming from the muffler area. One plume was the tailpipe and the other was shooting straight down from underneath the vehicle. Upon inspection I found a whole in the bottom of the muffler. There is no denting or impact damage near the hole. There is exhaust stains on the muffler ranging from the hole towards the rear of the vehicle. The exhaust stains show evidence that the whole and the exhaust leaking out has been taking place for quite some time. It is obvious the muffler rotted.

1/15/2023

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:BANJO HOUSING

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The Axle Tubes are held to the center differential with 3 x Plug Welds per side. The plug welds on our axle are weeping oil and do NOT appear to be properly welded. Upon online comparisons this is a known issue and is resulting in catastrophic failures. Ford claims that "weeps" are NOT covered under warranty. A weep in this location/situation means that the welding process was sub-standard and compromised.

6/1/2023

SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that the passenger’s side rear shock was blown. While driving 35 MPH over a bump in the road, or while driving over a wet surface, the rear of the vehicle was fishtailing. There was oil leaking from the shock. The contact had a nail in the tire, and after removing the wheel, the contact became aware that the shock was covered in oil. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the rear shocks needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts being on back order. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

11/15/2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR:INTEGRATED STARTER(OTHER THAN PROPULSION)

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electrical system and the engine seized. The contact noticed fire and smoke which exited from the engine compartment. The contact was the only occupant of the vehicle when the failure occurred. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was inspected and diagnosed with a faulty alternator. The contact was informed that the seized gears overheated the alternator motor, which caused the fire. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed smoke exiting the engine compartment. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stopped and parked the vehicle. The contact turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was started, however, the vehicle did not start. The contact stated several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, the contact's wife and minor child were also occupants of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was confirmed to have a failed alternator motor. The contact was informed that the alternator motor needed to be replaced again. In addition, the contact was informed that the seized gears in the alternator motor caused the fire. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. In addition, the contact stated he was fearful of ever driving the vehicle again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact requested a vehicle buyback. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.

4/18/2025

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

rear view camera display when vehicle is in reverse will intermittently turn blue or black which renders the rear view camera useless. and at times will state camera unavailable. vehicle is a 2021 ford bronco built on june 15, 2021 at ford Michigan build plant. i have contacted ford related to this concern as i believe that the vehicle should fall under recall 23s48 for rear camera replacement, and 25s49 for module updates related to rear camera display. the vehicle year, build date, assembly plant and symptoms all fit within the parameters of recall. note that i also have a 2022 bronco that these recalls are active on for the same concerns, the concern happens 7-8 times a week for the last 4-5 months. dealership has contacted ford sssc team about getting recalls activated on this vehicle and they are given the most basic responses stating that this vehicle is not included due to "certain model year vehicles" even though the vehicle is clearly within the model years outlined in both recalls. the rear view camera intermittently not working is a safety issue as it can stop working at any time when you would be using it to reverse. thank you for your time and consideration when investigating this concen.

9/22/2025

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

While driving in snowy conditions the headlights become covered with snow to the point of not illuminating enough to see. Which then makes trying to find a spot to pull over safely to wipe them becomes extremely dangerous. The snow covered lights happens quickly. Creating hazardous driving conditions. The data provided is the most recent. This happens every winter since purchasing this vehicle. I was not familiar with notifying your agency until recently.

12/2/2025

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2021 Ford Bronco?

The most reported complaint category for the 2021 Ford Bronco is ENGINE, with 65 owner reports. That is about 26% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Are complaints about the 2021 Ford Bronco a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 160 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2021 Ford Bronco?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2021 Ford Bronco severe?

160 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Ford Bronco: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
248
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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