Ford has issued a recall covering 565,691 Bronco and Bronco Raptor SUVs spanning the 2021 through 2026 model years. The problem is in the engine compartment — a wiring harness that can short-circuit, create an electrical arc, and start a fire.
At the time Ford filed the Ford Bronco recall paperwork with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the company was already aware of 15 incidents where a fire may have started from this exact cause.
What Is Causing the Problem
The engine compartment wiring harness on affected vehicles lacks sufficient abrasion protection. Movement between the harness and nearby parts wears through the outer covering. Internal wires get exposed. Exposed wires short-circuit. Shorts arc. Arcs start fires. That is the sequence Ford documented.
Ford documented two ways drivers might notice something is wrong before a fire starts. Smoke coming through the cabin air vents is one signal. A warning message appearing on the instrument cluster is another. Neither of those is a guarantee — 15 fires had already occurred by the time the Ford Bronco recall was filed, which means some owners did not get advance warning.
Which Vehicles Are Included
2021 through 2026 Ford Bronco and Bronco Raptor — all of them. 565,691 vehicles total. Own one of those? Check your VIN on the NHTSA website before assuming you are clear.
What the Fix Is
Dealer technicians will install convolute sheathing with abrasion tape over the affected section of the engine compartment wiring harness. The sheathing prevents the harness from chafing against nearby components. The abrasion tape adds a secondary layer of protection.
The repair prevents the exposure of internal wires that leads to the short-circuit risk. The Ford Bronco recall fix is covered at no cost to the owner — this is a safety recall, not a service campaign, and Ford is required to repair the defect free of charge.
When Owners Will Be Notified
Ford has already started notifying dealers. Owner notification letters are scheduled to go out between August 24 and August 28.
If your vehicle is affected and you do not want to wait for the letter, contact a Ford dealership now with your VIN or check the NHTSA recall database directly. Owners do not need to wait for the letter to bring their vehicle in — dealers are already aware of the Ford Bronco recall and can schedule the repair.
15 Fires Already Reported
This is the detail that makes the Ford Bronco recall more serious than a precautionary measure.
At the time of filing, Ford confirmed awareness of 15 incidents involving fires that may have originated from the engine compartment wiring harness covered by this recall. Fifteen fires across a fleet of 565,691 vehicles is a small percentage — but fires are not failures of degree. A wiring harness that can catch an engine bay on fire is a safety issue regardless of how infrequently it happens, which is exactly why NHTSA has a recall process.
Owners who have already experienced symptoms — smoke from the vents, an unexplained warning on the instrument cluster, or any unusual electrical behaviour — should contact Ford and mention the Ford Bronco recall number when they call. NHTSA assigns a recall number in the filing documents that dealers and Ford customer service will recognise.
What to Do Right Now
VIN check on the NHTSA website. If your Bronco is in range, call a Ford dealer and get it scheduled. The repair costs nothing — safety recall, Ford pays.
Do not park a Bronco from these model years in an enclosed garage while the wiring harness issue remains unaddressed. Engine bay fires that start while a vehicle is parked are possible — the short-circuit risk exists whenever the vehicle has electrical current flowing, not only while driving.
The Ford Bronco recall repair is straightforward and the parts are available. Getting it done sooner rather than waiting for the notification letter is the right call for anyone who owns an affected vehicle.
FAQs
What is the Ford Bronco recall about?
Wiring harness in the engine bay. Not enough abrasion protection. Harness chafes, wires expose, short-circuits, arc, fire.
Which models?
2021 through 2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor. 565,691 vehicles.
How do I check if my Bronco is in the Ford Bronco recall?
NHTSA website, VIN lookup. Or call your Ford dealer.
What is the fix for the Ford Bronco recall?
Dealers will install convolute sheathing with abrasion tape over the engine compartment wiring harness. The repair is free.
When will Ford notify owners about the Ford Bronco recall?
Owner notification letters go out between August 24 and August 28. Dealers are already aware and can accept vehicles now.
Has anyone’s Bronco actually caught fire?
Yes. Ford reported 15 fire incidents related to this issue at the time the Ford Bronco recall was filed with NHTSA.
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