The 2021 Ford Bronco is associated with 225 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 20 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 51 reports (23% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 12 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.5l 3-cyl, 2l 4-cyl, 2.3l 4-cyl, and 2.7l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 17 to 26 MPG combined. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 225 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 20 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (51 / 23%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 6 crash / 3 fire / 6 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 17–26 MPG (12 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Bronco Sport 4WD | 1.5L 3-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 25 MPG | 28 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| Bronco Sport 4WD | 2L 4-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 21 MPG | 26 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Bronco 4WD | 2.3L 4-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 20 MPG | 22 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Bronco 4WD | 2.3L 4-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Manual 7-spd | 20 MPG | 22 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Bronco 4WD | 2.7L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 18 MPG | 20 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| Bronco Sasquatch 4WD | 2.3L 4-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 18 MPG | 18 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Bronco Black Diamond 4WD | 2.3L 4-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Manual 7-spd | 17 MPG | 19 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Bronco Black Diamond 4WD | 2.3L 4-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 18 MPG | 18 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Bronco Badlands 4WD | 2.7L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 17 MPG | 18 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Bronco Badlands 4WD | 2.3L 4-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Manual 7-spd | 16 MPG | 18 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Bronco Badlands 4WD | 2.3L 4-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 18 MPG | 17 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Bronco Sasquatch 4WD | 2.7L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 17 MPG | 17 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4DR SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | | 25.6% |
| 2DR SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | | 25.6% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Ford Bronco models.
View complete 2021 Ford Bronco crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2021 Ford Bronco problems & component breakdown (56 categories) →
Affected Component: ENGINE
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor vehicles. The engine compartment wiring harness may become damaged and short circuit.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will install sheathing over the wiring, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2026 Bronco Raptor notified owners on 7/31/2026. Phase 2 will include 2021-2025 Bronco Raptor vehicle will notify owners on or about 8/14/2026. Phase 3 will include 2021-2026 Bronco will notify owners on or about 9/1/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S55. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 23, 2026.
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles. The 3-door and 5-door Molded-In-Color (MIC) hardtop roof panels may have been manufactured improperly, which can allow sections of the outer roof panel to separate and detach from the vehicle.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the hard top as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed May 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S32. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 12, 2026.
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Bronco vehicles. The transmission to transfer case joint may be misaligned due to an incorrectly performed previous repair, which could lead to wear of the transmission output shaft splines and transfer case input splines.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission to transfer case joint and replace the transmission and transfer case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.
View all 2021 Ford Bronco recalls & campaign history (20 campaigns) →