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Ford Bronco: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)

By · Data: NHTSA, updated · How we score

Ford Bronco problems by model year, from 2,049 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.

2 OF 3 YEARS ELEVATED

Years to avoid: 2021 (48%, 435 drivetrain complaints) and 2022 (38%, 263 drivetrain complaints). 2 of the 3 Ford Bronco years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share.

Best years on this measure: 2023 (29%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.

By raw volume, the 2021 drew the most drivetrain complaints (435 of 803 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026

The VIN is on the listing, the driver’s door jamb, and the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side.

Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023

–10–11–12–13–14–15–16–17–18–19–2048%2138%2229%23

Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.

Every Ford Bronco year

Model yearSignalDrivetrain shareDrivetrain complaintsAll complaintsRank (1 = worst)Recalls
2021 Broncohigh48%4359281/335
2022 Broncoelevated38%2637372/337
2023 Broncono elevated signal29%1053843/331

What owners complain about most, all years

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM414 · 20%
ENGINE408 · 20%
POWER TRAIN339 · 17%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER256 · 12%
SERVICE BRAKES242 · 12%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM190 · 9%

Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Ford Bronco years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.

Ford Bronco engine and transmission recalls: timeline

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns on the Ford Bronco involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 51 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.

DateCampaignComponentModel years
Jan 202121V011000power train: driveline: driveshaft2021
Aug 202121V625000fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump: control/drive module2021–2022
Mar 202222V191000engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication2021–2022
Oct 202222V787000fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump: control/drive module2022
Nov 202222V859000fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2021–2023
Feb 202323V070000power train: automatic transmission2022–2023
Aug 202323V546000power train: automatic transmission: internal: park pawl2023
Mar 202424V187000fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2022–2023
Aug 202424V635000engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical2021–2022
Mar 202525V158000power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)2021–2023
Mar 202525V165000fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2021–2023
Jul 202525V455000fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2021–2023
Jul 202525V467000fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2021–2023
Oct 202525V685000equipment: electrical: engine block heater2021–2023
Apr 202626V236000power train: automatic transmission2021–2023
Jul 202626V468000engine2021–2023
35 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
DateCampaignComponentModel years
Feb 202121V074000suspension: front: control arm2021
Feb 202121V075000suspension: rear2021
Oct 202121V770000air bags: frontal2021
Oct 202121V809000visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2021
Nov 202121V922000service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2021–2022
Dec 202121V982000forward collision avoidance: sensing system: radar2021
Jun 202222V411000latches/locks/linkages: doors: lock2021–2022
Jun 202222V451000visibility: windshield2022
Sep 202222V686000exterior lighting: lighting control module2022–2023
Nov 202222V825000back over prevention: sensing system: camera2021–2022
Dec 202222V928000air bags: sensor: side impact2021–2022
Jan 202323V021000service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module2023
Mar 202323V155000steering2022–2023
Mar 202323V165000back over prevention: sensing system: camera2021–2022
Apr 202323V283000wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2023
May 202323V358000seat belts: critical fasteners2021–2023
May 202323V379000equipment: other: labels2022–2023
Aug 202323V598000back over prevention: sensing system: camera2021
Feb 202424V142000visibility: glass, side/rear2023
Mar 202424V189000latches/locks/linkages: doors: lock2023
Mar 202424V223000tires2023
Apr 202424V267000electrical system: body control module/bcm2021–2023
Aug 202424V594000visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor2023
Jan 202525V019000electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery2021–2023
Jan 202525V025000suspension: rear: shock absorber2021–2023
May 202525V312000back over prevention: sensing system: camera2021–2022
May 202525V315000back over prevention: software2021–2023
May 202525V273000back over prevention: sensing system: camera2022–2023
Jun 202525V442000back over prevention: software2021–2023
Oct 202525V721000seats: critical fasteners2021–2023
Dec 202525V888000back over prevention: sensing system: camera2021–2022
Mar 202626V124000back over prevention: software2021–2023
May 202626V299000structure: body: roof and pillars2021–2022
May 202626V340000suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint2021–2023
Jun 202626V403000structure: body2022–2023
In the full report

What the free pages leave out on the Ford Bronco

  • The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
  • What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
  • Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
  • Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
  • What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
  • Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
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Questions people ask about the Ford Bronco

What are the worst years for the Ford Bronco?

On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Ford Bronco years are the 2021 (48% of relevant complaints, high) and the 2022 (38% of relevant complaints, elevated). 2 of 3 scored years are elevated in all.

What are the best years for the Ford Bronco?

On engine and transmission complaints, the best Ford Bronco years are the 2023 (29%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.

Does the Ford Bronco have engine problems?

In some years. Across the 3 scored years, 803 of 2,049 relevant NHTSA complaints (39%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2021 and 2022.

Is the Ford Bronco reliable?

On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 2 of 3 Ford Bronco years we score have an elevated complaint share and 1 do not. Pooled across those years, 39% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.

Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Ford Bronco?

Yes. NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Ford Bronco years we track, out of 51 in total: 25V685000 (Oct 2025, 2021–2023), 26V236000 (Apr 2026, 2021–2023), 26V468000 (Jul 2026, 2021–2023), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.