Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owned a 2025 Ford Bronco. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, another driver pulled closer to the vehicle and honked to get the contact's attention. The contact stated that upon rolling down the window, the contact noticed flames coming from the front driver's side wheel well. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side and exited the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle completely burned from the front end to the front seats. The contact stated that the fire originated from the driver's side of the engine compartment. The front driver's side of the vehicle sustained more fire damage than the passenger's side of the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A fire department report and a police report were filed. There was no reported injury. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. …
The contact's wife owns a 2025 Ford Bronco. Upon taking delivery of the vehicle, the door stops on both rear doors began detaching and the plastic fender components fell off while the vehicle was parked. Additionally, the rear passenger's side window intermittently failed to roll up. The contact then received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 26V468000 (Engine, Electrical System) and 26V403000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a wiring harness recall repair; however, the dealer stated that the fix was ineffective and too complex to perform. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were available; however, the vehicle was unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 500.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, a fire originated near the dashboard area without warning. The occupants inside the vehicle first noticed an abnormal smoke odor inside the vehicle. Shortly afterwards, the contact and passenger's eyes started burning and their throats became irritated. The driver opened and then closed the windows and then safely pulled over. The heated seats were turned off during the failure. The passenger then observed flames coming from the passenger's side air vent. The contact and passenger exited the vehicle with the engine still running. The windows blew out from the intense heat of the fire. The air bags did not deploy but started melting. The Fire Department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported. A Police report was not filed, but the Police were directing traffic. …
The failure appears to have originated in the passenger side engine compartment, but the exact component or system (fuel, electrical, or other) is unknown. The vehicle is a total loss from the fire but should be available for inspection at the tow or storage facility. Our safety and the safety of others were put at risk because the vehicle caught fire suddenly while driving with traffic on a public road; my wife was driving, I was in the passenger seat, and our dog was in the back, and if we had not noticed the smoke and pulled over, the fire could have led to loss of control, injury, or a larger fire. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center because the vehicle is completely burned and not drivable. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and flat towing an RV, the Flat-Tow mode inadvertently disengaged and the contact smelled a burning odor permeating the interior of the vehicle with the message "Stop vehicle immediately, excessive temperature detected" displayed. The transmission temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was damage to the transmission and turbocharger due to the Flat-Tow mode not being engaged properly during towing. The contact was informed that the transmission and turbo charger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 22-7086. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced an issue with the rearview camera while in use. The contact received a notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V124000 (Back Over Prevention), and the recall repair was subsequently performed. However, after the recall repair was completed, a new 'overheating' warning appeared on the infotainment system. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, where technicians tested the system and confirmed that during a single operation, the system's temperature spiked from 93 F to 150 F. The contact confirmed that they received an overheating warning on the infotainment system display. The manufacturer has been notified of the failure, but the vehicle has not yet been repaired. The failure mileage was 32,752.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V468000 (Engine, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 70 MPH uphill, the vehicle lost drive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the main wiring harness had dislodged, sat across the exhaust, and was burned. The dealer determined that the main wiring harness needed to be replaced, which required the temporary removal of several components. The contact was provided a repair estimate and was advised that the failure was not covered under the recall and that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2022 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 upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle sputtered and nearly stalled. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the fuel gauge was constantly inaccurate while starting the vehicle and while driving. The contact stated that the fuel gauge read 0 miles or 0 percent while there was fuel in the tank. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted to schedule an appointment; however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stopped driving the vehicle due to safety concerns. …
Related recalls (5)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
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
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of motive power due to valve intake failure on Ford Bronco vehicles.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition dated March 16, 2022, requesting an investigation regarding allegations of defective intake valves in model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with the 2.7L Eco-boost ("Nano") engines. The petitioner alleged these vehicles are experiencing loss of motive power at any highway speeds with no-restart as a result of catastrophic engine failures.
Loss of Motive Power
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) granted a Defect Petition (DP22001) and opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22007) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with 2.7L EcoBoost engines. Complainants were reporting sudden engine failure while driving resulting in a loss of motive power, often without the ability to restart.
Loss of Motive Power
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received three petitions on March 17, March 18, and March 29, 2022, which requested a defect investigation into an alleged defect of the valves on model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with the 2.7L Eco-boost engines.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Bronco years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2021 (74), 2022 (53), 2023 (21), 2025 (10) and 2024 (7) model years. Engine complaints make up 32% of all complaints for the 2021.
Is there a recall for Ford Bronco engine problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 26V-548 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Aug 25, 2026); 26V-468 (engine, Jul 20, 2026); 26V-343 (hard parts internal/mechanical, May 27, 2026). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Bronco engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 27,000 miles; 77% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › gasoline (3 mentions), followed by the exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (1).
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.