2026 Ford Bronco Problems & Complaints

Few complaints17% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Bronco at the same age

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2026 Ford Bronco with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is a low number of complaints for a car on sale this long. The most reported problem area is the body & structure (3 complaints). 9 recalls cover this model year.

11complaints
9recalls
1crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2026 Ford Bronco problems

  • Body & structure
    327%
  • Electrical system
    218%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~1,000 miles
    218%
  • Other / not specified
    19%
  • Engine & cooling
    19%
  • Seats
    19%
  • Seat belts
    19%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~1,000 miles
    19%
  • Steering
    19%

Share of the 11 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Ford Bronco complaints by model year

199519962021202220232024202520269481230383230825511
Owner complaints per model year, Ford Bronco. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Bronco years: 2024. Years to avoid: 2022, 2021, 2023. Compare all years →

2026 Ford Bronco recalls (9)

Air bags › Side/window › Curtain

NHTSA recall 26V-580 · Sep 9, 2026 · 2,711 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Bronco vehicles. The mounting bracket on the right-hand-side side curtain air bag may have a metal burr that can tear the air bag during deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will increase the space between the bracket and air bag to remove the contact condition, free of charge. Owner notification letters were October 16, 2026.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical

NHTSA recall 26V-548 · Aug 25, 2026 · 10,001 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026.

Engine

NHTSA recall 26V-468 · Jul 20, 2026 · 565,691 vehicles

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.

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.

Structure › Body

NHTSA recall 26V-403 · Jun 24, 2026 · 36,046 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Bronco vehicles. The fender flares may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the fender flares as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 1, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical

NHTSA recall 26V-343 · May 27, 2026 · 1,536 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 26V-335 · May 26, 2026 · 268 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The vehicle specifications listed on the tire placard and safety certification labels may be incorrect, including the VIN, capacity weight, seating capacity, front and rear gross axle weight rating (GAWR), tire and rim dimensions, and recommended…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the certification and TREAD labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Show 3 more recalls

Seats › Critical fasteners

NHTSA recall 26V-268 · Apr 28, 2026 · 179,698 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The front seats may have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the pivot links and bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Back over prevention › Software

NHTSA recall 26V-124 · Mar 3, 2026 · 849,310 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and 2021-2024 Ford Edge vehicles. The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.

Remedy: The APIM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332.

Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA recall 25V-788 · Nov 14, 2025 · 229,609 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.

Remedy: The instrument panel cluster software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2025.

What 2026 Ford Bronco owners say

Body & structure

While driving on the roadway at approximately 5,841 odometer miles, the vehicle's fender moulding/flare clip retention failed, causing the moulding to loosen and completely detach from the vehicle. The detached fender moulding separated in transit, creating an immediate road debris hazard for surrounding traffic and trailing motorists. The detached component was recovered with cosmetic surface damage and taken to an independent repair facility for repair and repainting. The component and vehicle remain available for inspection upon request. Prior to detachment, there were no interior warning lamps or messages displayed. The failure matches the defect condition identified under NHTSA Safety Recall Campaign 26V403 (Ford Manufacturer Recall 26S47). …

Body · Aug 2026

Vehicle front passenger wheel well flare detached while driving narrowly avoiding impact to other vehicles on the road. After recovering the part noticed front driver wheel well flare starting to detach. Safety clips appeared intact as if they never locked in place.

Body · Sep 2026

2026 Ford Bronco engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.3L 4-cyl turbo10-speed automatic4WD18 / 22 / 20
2.7L 6-cyl turbo10-speed automatic4WD19 / 21 / 20
2.3L 4-cyl turbo7-speed manual4WD18 / 21 / 19
3.0L 6-cyl turbo10-speed automatic4WD15 / 16 / 15

EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2026 Ford Bronco a good car?

Based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2026 Bronco rates few complaints: 17% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Bronco at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2026 Ford Bronco?

The body & structure — 3 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the electrical system (2) and transmission & drivetrain (2).

How many recalls does the 2026 Ford Bronco have?

There are 9 recalls for the 2026 Ford Bronco, the most recent from September 9, 2026 (curtain). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Ford Bronco?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2021 and 2023. See the full Ford Bronco years comparison.

At what mileage do 2026 Ford Bronco problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 1,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.