2021 Ford Bronco Problems

What owners report

Complaints for the 2021 Bronco center on two very different stories: a batch of early engine failures reported at very low mileage, and a much larger, mileage-independent set of body issues — cracked or leaking hardtops, loose soft-top panels, rear glass separating. Many recent filings are recall-related, describing parts or software that were unavailable after the notice arrived. Rear shock absorber failures and rearview camera behavior also come up repeatedly.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine failure or loss of power (2.7L EcoBoost)

   • 70 complaints (30%)
   • median 12,500 mi at 2.2 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe sudden loss of motive power, sometimes with a ticking or grinding noise and no warning light, followed by a no-start condition. Dealers diagnosed internal engine failure and replaced engines, several reportedly under warranty at low mileage; some complaints mention a failed valve. Other filings describe rough idling and sputtering that preceded the stall. Mostly reported under about 10,000 miles, often during highway driving or acceleration from a stop.

   Recall 24V6350001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the engine has been replaced or repaired and get documentation; 24V635000 covers intake valve breakage on 2.7L/3.0L engines, so confirm whether this VIN was included and remedied. Listen for ticking at cold start and check for any stored engine codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving on the highway, the check engine light came on. I felt a loss of power in the vehicle, and couldn't accelerate. I was able to pull over put the car in park and turn it off. When I tried to turn it on, there was no power. Had to get it towed to the dealership to replace the engine.”

   NHTSA complaint #11527004, filed 2023-06

   “My 2.7L V6 engine dropped a valve, it was inspected and determined by the dealer. This happened after a 1 hour freeway trip on Christmas Eve. Luckily, the incident was in my driveway after shutting off the engine. If it would have happened minutes before we would have had complete power failure at 65mph. The problem was determined to be a defect and was replaced under warranty by the dealer. Unknown whether Ford has done a post mortem inspection. No warning whatsoever prior to failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11456219, filed 2022-03
2. 2
   Suspension

   Rear shock absorber leaks, bounces or detaches

   • 22 complaints (10%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 4.4 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Complaints describe the rear of the vehicle bouncing uncontrollably, swaying or fishtailing over bumps, and abnormal noise from the rear. Owners found oil leaking from a rear shock, and in several cases the external reservoir detached from the shock while driving; dealers confirmed the shocks needed replacement, and many owners said the remedy parts were on backorder. Reported from about 25,000 to 80,000 miles, often noticed at highway speeds or over dips and bumps.

   Recall 25V025000

   What to check: Look for oil residue on the rear shocks and their reservoirs, and ask whether 25V025000 has been performed with the updated parts. A bounce or sway test over a dip can reveal a worn shock.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V025000 (Suspension); 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 and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11661807, filed 2025-05, 51,678 miles

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V025000 (SUSPENSION); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part 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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11669098, filed 2025-06, 55,000 miles
3. 3
   Other or unknown

   Hardtop cracks, leaks and rear glass separation

   • 18 complaints (8%)
   • median 28,500 mi at 3.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners report cracks appearing in the removable hardtop, often above the rear side windows, and water entering the cabin and soaking the carpet. Soft-top owners describe plastic clips and panels loosening or fracturing at speed, and some report the rear liftgate glass detaching or shattering. Dealers inspected these cases and in some instances said the roof panel or soft top needed replacement. Spread across the sample from under 20,000 to about 50,000 miles, with leaks often noticed after rain or a car wash.

   Recall 26V2990001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Inspect the hardtop seams and the area above the rear side windows for hairline cracks, and check the carpet and mat under the rear seats for damp or mildew smells. Ask whether 26V299000 applies and confirm the top has been inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am concerned about the hard top for my Bronco. There are cracks showing above the furthest back window on the passenger side, and above the same window on the driver's side. And when it rains, it leaks in the very back, causing the carpet to get wet under the rubber mat and smell like mildew. I did request a Ford dealer to document the cracks when I had some recalls completed.”

   NHTSA complaint #11766598, filed 2026-09

   “The contact's daughter owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that the sides of the soft top material above the B-pillar and the A-pillar were detaching, which could cause the soft top to separate from the vehicle while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected, and the dealer determined that the soft top needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 23-2229. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11663889, filed 2025-05, 48,000 miles
4. 4
   Back-over prevention (rear camera)

   Rearview camera and driver-assist warnings

   • 36 complaints (16%)
   • median 28,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe the rearview camera image not appearing in reverse, staying on after backing, or appearing while driving forward. Others report blind-spot and cross-traffic fault messages traced by dealers to a wiring harness or module, and some front sensor false alerts with no obstacle present. Several filings are recall notices where the software update or part was not yet available. Reported at low mileage in some cases (under about 10,000 miles) and past 30,000 in others; not tied to a single climate or season.

   Recall 26V124000Recall 25V888000Recall 25V312000Recall 25V315000Recall 23V598000Recall 23V165000Recall 22V8250001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Put the vehicle in reverse and out again to see whether the camera displays correctly and turns off. Ask whether the camera software recalls for this VIN were completed, and check that blind-spot and cross-traffic warnings do not stay lit.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I received an alert on the dash stating there was an issue with the blind spot monitoring/rear cross traffic system. It was erroring off and on for that entire drive. When I got home, I googled the issue and it appears it's a known issue with '21 and some early '22 broncos where they factory installed the blind spot module wiring harness too close to the rear bumper. Over time, the wires rub and eventually rub bare and corrode or short out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11712311, filed 2026-01

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11455572, filed 2022-03, 200 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake warning light and stiff or unassisted brakes

   • 24 complaints (10%)
   • median 25,276 mi at 3.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners report the red brake warning light staying on, with dealers tracing it to a brake booster vacuum line or a brake fluid level sensor connector. Some describe a very stiff pedal and longer stopping distance, and one owner towing the vehicle flat reported the electric brake booster shutting off after a period of towing, leaving the brakes unpowered. Reported from around 20,000 to 30,000 miles in the sample, plus a flat-towing case at unspecified mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check that the brake warning lamp goes out after start-up and that the pedal feels firm but not stiff. Ask whether the brake fluid level sensor connector has been inspected; a service bulletin describes a pin fitment repair for this warning light.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11453655, filed 2022-02

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11653165, filed 2025-04, 30,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection should focus on the engine history and the rear shocks, since both produce the most consequential reports; confirm which open recalls apply to the VIN and whether the remedies have actually been completed, as owners frequently report parts and software being unavailable. Check the roof panels and cabin for water intrusion, and verify the rearview camera and driver-assist warnings behave normally.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.