Ford Bronco engine problems, 2021–2026
165 of the 968 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Bronco 2021–2026 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2021 (74), 2022 (53), 2023 (21). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 recall campaigns, 3 NHTSA investigations. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford Bronco engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 12% | — | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2025 | 10 | 19% | — | 11 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2024 | 6 | 8% | — | 13 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 21 | 9% | — | 24 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 in depth | 53 | 14% | — | 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 74 | 32% | — | 1 recall · 3 investigations | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2022: 67 · 2023: 21 · 2024: 18 · 2025: 23 · 2026: 36
Across the model years, half of the 27 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 5,000 and 40,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I experienced complete motor failure while traveling on the highway near my home. I was able to move across traffic to the shoulder of the highway. The vehicle would not re-start, and a tow service was required to take it to the dealership. They have informed the the motor is blown, and will require complete replacement.
Driving in town at a speed of 30 mph (speed limit 35). Engine dropped a valve. Engine was destroyed internally and locked up. I quickly put the transmission in neutral and pulled off to the side of the street. This could have been a bad accident if it had happened on a highway at speeds. Ford has an issue with these engines.
Brand New Bronco Black Diamond Edition. Driven 1000 miles and now engine will not accelerate. Loud noises coming from engine with multiple warnings from the app: 1) powertrain / 4 wheel drive fault 2) transmission Control module / electrical fault with transmission sensor and it’s associated wiring 3)power train control module has…
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormally loud knocking sounds. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with metal shavings in the engine oil and filter.
My 2023 Bronco with 6k miles died without any warning back in late January 2024. Ford service dept said it was a failed catalytic converter. After it was in the shop for a 1.5 months, waiting on the back ordered part, we picked up our truck around March 10. Fast forward to today, truck has 7k miles.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V548000 HighAug 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.
- 26V343000 HighMay 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.
- 26V122000 HighMar 3, 2026 · 47,804 vehicles
- 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.
- 24V635000 HighAug 23, 2024 · 90,736 vehicles
- 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.
NHTSA investigations
- EA23002 Loss of Motive Poweropened Sep 29, 2023 · closed Oct 31, 2024
- 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 abilit…
- PE22007 Loss of motive power due to valve intake failure on Ford Bronco vehicles.opened Jul 22, 2022 · closed Oct 2, 2023
- 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 …
- DP22001 Loss of Motive Poweropened May 27, 2022 · closed Jul 28, 2022
- 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. The petitioners alleged that MY 2021 Ford Broncos vehicles are experiencing loss of motive power at highway speeds with no-rest…
Other systems with a record on the Ford Bronco
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Ford Bronco problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford Bronco years have the most engine complaints?
2021, 74; 2022, 53; 2023, 21. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2021 (32%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Ford Bronco?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V548000 (2026), 26V343000 (2026), 26V122000 (2025), 24V635000 (2022). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Ford Bronco?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 13,500 miles across the model years; half of them between 5,000 and 40,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.