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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 3 NHTSA variants

2026 Ford BroncoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints for the 2026 Ford Bronco. Most complaints involve structure (3) and power train (2). The EPA rates it 15–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–20mpg
EPA · 9 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Sep 2026
Owner complaints
11
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: side

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Sep 9, 2026NHTSA 26V580000

Engine and engine cooling: hard parts internal

Remedy pending

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Aug 25, 2026NHTSA 26V548000

Engine

Free remedy

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.

EngineReported Jul 21, 2026NHTSA 26V468000
See all 9 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

11 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2026 – Oct 2026
  1. Structure3
  2. Power train2
  3. Electrical system2
  4. Steering1
  5. Visibility1
  6. Seat belts1
  7. Seats1
  8. Engine1
  9. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Bronco model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996100
2021230
2022386
2023230
202482
202556
202611
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

3 reports
“Hardtop is cracking already. Was built in June of 2026 and purchased in August of 2026. Top needs replacement already. Looked on the dealer lot and every new and used bronco with the M.I.C top had cracks like mine or worse.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026StructureODI 11772360

Power train

2 reports
“Twice, while flat towing the 2026 Ford Bronco something happen and allegedly the neutral tow disabled and I had to replace the transmission. $7,500 each time. The first time the Bronco had 900 miles and the second time the unit had 3,000 miles. Both times the warranty claim was denied. Ford blamed it on a battery voltage drop which in turn disabled the neutral tow. I can not find anywhere in the manual where it says the battery voltage level can not fall below a certain level. Can you help I will upload the first transmission invoice. The unit is currently in the shop getting the second transmission installed. The price is the same as the first.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2026Power trainODI 11769798

Electrical system

2 reports
“Description On your vehicle, it may be possible that one or more engine camshaft roller finger followers were not properly installed at the time of engine assembly. Safety Risk An improperly installed engine camshaft roller finger follower may result in engine failure, resulting in a no-start condition or a loss of motive power. A loss of motive power increases the risk of a crash. Your vehicle may also experience engine ticking or tapping noise, and or a low-volume oil leak due to this condition. Remedy A remedy is not yet available. Ford Motor Company is working to provide parts for this repair. When the remedy becomes available, Ford Motor Company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer for repairs to be completed free of charge. The remedy is anticipated to be available 4TH quarter of 2026. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service. NOTE: Recall service not available right now. We have a remedy but parts are not available right now. We will inform you when the service is available. Or, you can contact your dealer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2026Electrical system, Seats, EngineODI 11743709
All 2026 Bronco problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

9 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl turbo · 2.7L 6-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S10) · Manual 7-spd
Drive
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Bronco 4WD
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
182220$3,200453
Bronco Outer Banks 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
192120$3,200454
Bronco 4WD
Man 7-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
182119$3,400452
Bronco Badlands 4WD
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
171918$3,550507
Bronco Sasquatch 4WD
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
171918$3,550494
Bronco Sasquatch 4WD
Man 7-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
171918$3,550489
Bronco 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
171717$3,800525
Bronco Badlands 4WD
Man 7-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
171817$3,800504
Bronco Raptor 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
151615$4,300577
  • Bronco 4WD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    18 city · 22 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Bronco Outer Banks 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    19 city · 21 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Bronco 4WD
    Man 7-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    18 city · 21 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Bronco Badlands 4WD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    17 city · 19 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Bronco Sasquatch 4WD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    17 city · 19 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Bronco Sasquatch 4WD
    Man 7-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    17 city · 19 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Bronco 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    17 city · 17 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Bronco Badlands 4WD
    Man 7-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    17 city · 18 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Bronco Raptor 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    15 city · 16 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2026 Ford Bronco as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 21392Vehicle 21393
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2026 Bronco questions

How many recalls does the 2026 Ford Bronco have?

9 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2026 Ford Bronco problems?

Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (3), power train (2), electrical system (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2026 Ford Bronco get?

The EPA rates the 2026 Ford Bronco at 15–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026