2021 Ford Bronco: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
225 NHTSA owner complaints · 12 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
No Bronco year is AVOID, but the 2022 and 2023 are CAUTION at 51 and 60 on 369 and 218 owner complaints, and the 2022's rate of 92.2 complaints per year on the road is more than double the 2021's 45.0. Buy a 2021, which scores 71 on 225 complaints, or a 2024 at 76 on 74, and check the recall history, because every Bronco year has twelve campaigns. Read the full note on the model page. 2021 specifically: a year the record favours — 225 complaints, score 71/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Ford Bronco, Bronco Sport and EcoSport: what the first years on record say, including 2021 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-16.
Owner complaints: 225 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 45.0
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration while driving. The lane departure feature also steered the vehicle in the opposite direction while there was construction on the road. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an…
- potential fuel pump failure while driving - major concern while operating vehicle for myself and for children and elderly passengers - yes - yes but no solution available - no
There is multiple anti lock braking faults that pop up while driving and then go away the next time the vehicle is used. Brake fluid, pads, rotors and calipers all seem to spec and are working at the moment, but major concerns with the software or possible release and reengagement of the emergency brake.
Recalls: 12 campaigns (3 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 21V770000 | Air Bags:Frontal | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Bronco vehicles. During passenger air bag deployment, an air bag vent could open prematurely and result in an improper deployment. |
| 22V825000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles equipped with rearview camera systems and 8-inch screen displays. The rearview camera image may still be displayed after a backing event has ended. |
| 25V315000 | Back Over Prevention:Software | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to… |
| 25V312000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles equipped with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens that were repaired incorrectly under recall 22V-825. The rearview camera image may still be displayed after a backing event has ended. |
| 23V165000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles equipped with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens that were previously remedied under recall 22V-825. The rearview camera image may still be displayed after a backing event has ended. |
| 22V411000 | Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Lock | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain four-door 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles. The passenger-side rear door may be opened from inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position. |
| 22V928000 | Air Bags:Sensor:Side Impact | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles. The right or left side impact sensors may not be properly secured to the vehicle. |
| 21V982000 | Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Radar | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 21 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,950
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine68 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Electrical System29 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other28 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Suspension24 complaints · typical job: Struts, springs and control-arm bushings, one axle (4.0 h labour + parts)$780–$1,580
- Back Over Prevention23 complaints · typical job: Reversing camera or park-sensor replacement (2.0 h labour + parts)$420–$940
- Service Brakes22 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
Other Ford Bronco years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Ford Bronco?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (68 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2021 Ford Bronco a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 71/100, computed from 225 NHTSA complaints and 12 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2021 Ford Bronco's most common problem?
68 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2021 Ford Bronco sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2021 Ford Bronco cost to run per year?
About $5,175 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $25,875 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2021 Ford Bronco have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for the 2021 Ford Bronco, 3 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 01/10/2021. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsize suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2021 Ford Bronco really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 225 complaints, 12 recalls on record
- 225 NHTSA complaints on record (45.0/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (58.8/yr)
- 12 recall campaigns, 3 touching safety-critical systems