With 12 recalls and 207 complaints, the 2021 Ford Bronco rates as elevated on the safety concern scale. Always run the VIN through NHTSA's lookup tool before signing.

Recalls

207

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

21V7700002021-01-10

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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Improper air bag deployment increases the risk of injury during a crash.

View at NHTSA

22V4110002022-10-06

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.

A malfunctioning child safety lock increases the risk of injury to a child occupant.

View at NHTSA

22V8250002022-03-11

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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

View all 12 recalls

22V9280002022-14-12

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.

An improperly secured side impact sensor may cause the air bags to unintentionally deploy, or not to deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

View at NHTSA

23V1650002023-10-03

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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

23V3580002023-18-05

SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles built with the 5-Door body style. The first-row seat belt latch plates may be difficult to access from their stowed position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Difficulty accessing the seat belt latches may result in occupants not wearing their seat belts, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

View at NHTSA

25V0250002025-17-01

SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir.

An external reservoir that detaches from a vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

25V3120002025-09-05

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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

25V7210002025-23-10

SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles. The front seats may have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.

A seat with a dislodged bolt may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

25V8880002025-18-12

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 repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V165. The rearview camera image may still be displayed after a backing event has ended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

26V1240002026-03-03

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

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.

A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

26V2360002026-14-04

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Bronco vehicles. The transmission to transfer case joint may be misaligned due to an incorrectly performed previous repair, which could lead to wear of the transmission output shaft splines and transfer case input splines.

Excessive wear of the transmission and transfer case splines may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2021 Ford Bronco's biggest weak point? ENGINE. It leads 207 total complaints spanning 1 years. Budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially in that area.

01Engine51

02Suspension18

03Visibility/wiper12

04Unknown Or Other11

05Structure10

207 total across 1 model years (2021–2021)Full data at NHTSA.gov

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Ford Bronco Fuel Economy

EPA fuel economy data for all 2021 Ford Bronco trims

17–26mpg combined

16-25city

17-28hwy

$1,700-$2,600/yr

Fuel economy for the 2021 Ford Bronco ranges from 17 to 26 MPG combined across 12 setups. The table below breaks it down by trim so you know exactly what you're signing up for.

By Trim

Bronco Sport 4WD - Automatic 8-spd

26mpg

1.5L 3-cyl Turbo · All-Wheel Drive

25 city28 hwy~$1,700/yr5/10 Average

Bronco Sport 4WD - Automatic (S8)

23mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

21 city26 hwy~$1,900/yr5/10 Average

Bronco 4WD - Automatic (S10)

21mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

20 city22 hwy~$2,100/yr4/10 Average

Bronco 4WD - Manual 7-spd

21mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

20 city22 hwy~$2,100/yr4/10 Average

Bronco 4WD - Automatic (S10)

19mpg

2.7L 6-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

18 city20 hwy~$2,300/yr3/10 Poor

Bronco Black Diamond 4WD - Automatic (S10)

18mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

18 city18 hwy~$2,450/yr3/10 Poor

Bronco Black Diamond 4WD - Manual 7-spd

18mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

17 city19 hwy~$2,450/yr3/10 Poor

Bronco Sasquatch 4WD - Automatic (S10)

18mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

18 city18 hwy~$2,450/yr3/10 Poor

Bronco Badlands 4WD - Automatic (S10)

17mpg

2.7L 6-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

17 city18 hwy~$2,600/yr3/10 Poor

Bronco Badlands 4WD - Automatic (S10)

17mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

18 city17 hwy~$2,600/yr3/10 Poor

Bronco Badlands 4WD - Manual 7-spd

17mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

16 city18 hwy~$2,600/yr3/10 Poor

Bronco Sasquatch 4WD - Automatic (S10)

17mpg

2.7L 6-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

17 city17 hwy~$2,600/yr3/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

2021 Ford Bronco XLT FAQ

Trim-specific pricing and feature questions

How does the XLT compare to other Ford Bronco trims?

Every Ford Bronco trim targets a different buyer. The 2021 model page compares all available trims side by side.

What should I know about maintaining the 2021 Ford Bronco XLT?

The XLT shares its core mechanicals with other Ford Bronco trims, so major service intervals are similar. Watch for engine issues, the most commonly reported problem area. There are 12 recalls to verify before purchase. The 2021 model page has the details.

What are the best years for the Ford Bronco XLT?

Check the price-to-mileage ratio for each Ford Bronco XLT year. The last year before a generation change is usually the most refined; the first year after is when resale drops fastest. The Ford Bronco overview compares all years side by side.

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