2021 Ford Bronco: check engine light

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · Engine · VA

A Safety Recall was issued on the vehicle with no remedy. The recall was in reference to the Engine Intake Valves and stated; "The engine intake valves may crack and break, which could result in loss of motive power and increase the risk of a crash". It also stated, " Prior to losing motive power, an engine malfunction indicator lamp may illuminate in the cluster and the driver may notice that the vehicle is running rough". This issue was the result of Ford manufacturing using a material that had "hardness issues". This all came out prior to the vehicle reaching the end of its warranty mileage. A test was required on the engine at the dealership at which time, the technician determined there was no need to perform the "recall test" (confirmed by video sent to us). On or around Dec. 17th, while my wife was driving the vehicle and entering a gas station, the check engine light came on, and the vehicle began losing power. She parked and immediately contacted the Ford dealership. They advised her to not drive the vehicle and have it towed to the nearest dealership (She was in Pennsylvania picking up our daughter from college). It was determined by the dealership in Pa. that compression in a cylinder was down 5% and the vehicle needed a new engine. We had the vehicle towed back to Virginia and inspected by the dealership who services the vehicle. Parts of the engine were removed for visual inspection at which time a crack intake valve was found, confirming the engine was no good. Also, confirming the issue Ford had stated in its recall. All information and pictures were sent to Ford manufacturing for determination on fixing the problem. Ford has said they will not cover the total cost to make good on their recall because the vehicle was out of warranty (miles were exceeded). How are consumers protected from manufactures taking advantage of mileage? The SAFETY recall was issued long before the warranty ran out. What if my wife had crashed w/ our daughter?

Filed Aug 10, 2025 · Engine · OK · crash

Ford has issued a recall (24S55) stating the Intake valves on the ford bronco with engine2.7L and 3.0L will harden and crack or break and loss of power. I had the same issue in my 2021 Ford Bronco with the 2.3L engine while I was driving in the highway I got a check engine light then it started cutting out horribly so I slowed down to pull off the road through a metal gate that was open with a cattle guard and the engine died as I was turning in and loss power steering trying to turn the wheel back in time I didn’t and ended up side swiping the pole and knocking off my side mirror and damaging my front quarter panel along with the front door. No damage to the solid metal pole. But I took my vehicle to the local ford dealership to see what the issue was and at the time they should have gotten the recall and at least put two and two together and let ford know about the issue in the 2.3L also but they didn’t mention anything about the valve being broken but said it had no compression and the spark plug diode was broke off. I’ve never seen a diode and the diodes ground hook break off on its own it’s always been broken off from being hit by something but they said it needed a whole new engine for $13,000 so I took it to another mechanic since that’s always that dealerships go to answer for everything is it needs a new engine so the new mechanic did the same stuff and also used a bore scope but instead of just saying the cylinder was bad he seen the hole in the valve and said it just needs a new head with new valves so since I needed my ride to be able to get to work and for half the price they tore it down and sure enough the valve was cracked with a hole just as they said and just like the recall (24S55) but had that dealership paid attention to safety alerts and ran the issue up with ford and let them know the same issue had happened in the bronco with the 2.3L engines also I wouldn’t be writing this right now. I’d be putting a 5 star review on their page not a 1.

Filed Jun 27, 2025 · Fuel system · SC

My Bronco died and would not restart. Beach Ford diagnosed it as a fuel pump replacement. Luckily, I was in a car wash drive approach lane when this occurred. I was not on any roadway when the Bronco stalled. The Engine light appeared on the instrument panel.

Filed Mar 24, 2024 · Engine · TN

2.7 engine failure while accelerating on to a hwy. Loss of acceleration and power. I was unable to get fully off the road. Engine was replaced under warranty only 3,636 miles on car. No warning lights prior to this failure. Once engine failed and started smoking the check engine light came on.

Filed Sep 13, 2023 · Engine · NY

good day! Bronco 2021 (VIN [XXX] ) - my engine suddenly broken while driving - i heard some unusual clicks-knocks from the engine side, check engine lamp apperared. i stopped vehicle, look under the hood and saw puddle of oil under the engine (car mileage about 7000 miles). service man said that i should buy a new engine - old one broken with no chance of repair... how can you help me? thanks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 14, 2023 · Engine · IL

Driving on the highway, the check engine light came on. I felt a loss of power in the vehicle, and couldn't accelerate. I was able to pull over put the car in park and turn it off. When I tried to turn it on, there was no power. Had to get it towed to the dealership to replace the engine.

Filed Nov 9, 2022 · Engine · FL

Check engine light came on and I took it into the dealership. They found the codes and confirmed low compression in cylinder 6. Was told I needed a new engine.

Filed Sep 30, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · CA

In November 2021, I received delivery of my new Ford Bronco 4WD Badlands vehicle. I went for a road trip with my family and friends in my new car. While driving back, the car engine light appeared on the dashboard, along with the service alert, and the car began to make noise. I pulled over and tried to restart the car, but it never started. We were in the mountains, where there was no signal for more than ten miles. We were completely stranded, along with my kids, who were 13 and 16 at the time, and one of my friends' 8-year-old daughter. We were fortunate to be with our friends and he was able to take us to a near-safe area where we could contact Ford and the dealership. After 5 hours of waiting in a safe zone, we received a towing truck. I picked up the car with the towing driver and parked it at a nearly Ford dealership. We had to book a hotel room in the area, and the next morning I went to the local Ford dealership to request an appointment to see the problem, but they said they didn't have any appointments available for another three weeks and insisted I call Ford customer service again. Ford customer service arranged for the same towing company that came last night to help haul the car to my dealership, where I purchased this car. My local Towne Ford dealership was nice enough to inspect and repair the car, but after a few days, I had a similar issue and they suggested that they replace the engine with a new one. The dealership took nearly a month to ship and repair the engine replacement. A few weeks ago, as my family and I were driving from SF to LA, my car suddenly lost power. I kept getting the message, "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power fault detected," and later, "Service Engine Soon warning," which states that the engine control system has determined that the turbocharger is producing less boost than normal.It was shocking because I was on vacation with my family in LA, and the kids were terrified to even be in the car. this are some experiences

Filed Aug 2, 2022 · Engine · IL

July 15, 2022 - lost power on I80 during heavy traffic. I had to pull to the side as I could not accelerate. Luckily it restarted and I was able to get home. I took it in for service at the dealership the next day (engine light did not come on until the next morning). I was told it was an issue with the catalytic converter and parts were on backorder but it was safe to drive until the part came in. 3 days ago, on Saturday July 30th, I was in my driveway getting to leave and my Bronco wouldn't start, it turned over briefly and then died. The engine made a loud 'knocking' noise and then complete silence. This was a Saturday so they couldn't schedule a tow until until Monday, its been at the dealership for 2 days and they are waiting to hear back from an engineer. I know it's covered under warranty but I think a recall should be issued before someone dies. I was driving about 60-65 mph when I lost acceleration. There was construction ahead but thankfully, it happened before an off ramp. If it hadn't happened in that spot, I wouldn't have had a shoulder to pull over to.

Filed Jun 13, 2022 · Engine · GA

About 1 hour into our trip the vehicle started to shutter while at highway speed, no warning lamps or notices were indicated when the shutter started and I assumed it was a road vibration. We came to a stop sign about 2-3 miles after the shutter was noticed and the vehicle stalled at the intersection and would not restart. At that point the check engine light, in dash notifications and Fordpass app notices indicated a serious mechanical malfunction. The vehicle needed to be put in neutral and pushed to the side of the road by me and my son to clear the intersection. Ford roadside assistance was contacted and a tow truck was dispatched to take the vehicle to the closest dealership. We sat at the side of the road for 2 hours waiting on the ford dispatched tow truck. The vehicle was towed to Ford of Clermonth. The Ford of Clermont, Florida service department ran diagnostics on the vehicle the next morning(12/06/21). The Ford service technician, following Ford's diagnostic directions, determined there was catastrophic engine failure and Ford immediately authorized an engine replacement. As per the attached service invoice the Ford Service technicians determined it was a valve failure that caused the engine failure.

Filed Jun 10, 2022 · Engine · TX

8:28pm 6.8.2022 - Bronco was towing 1 boat on a single axle trailer (total weight less than 3000lbs). - First soft top convertible roof panel was open - Music playing at medium volume to drown out adjacent highway noise - Heading NE on the Highway 820 feeder road. - Stopped at stop sign at intersection of Cahoba Drive. - Pulled out of intersection and was traveling on a slight uphill at 18pmh - Interior of vehicle smelled sweet and we noticed white smoke filling behind the vehicle - Warning lights for Battery (red battery) and Service (wrench) came on and then a warning to stop vehicle and restart engine. This coincided with a sudden decrease in power. - Pulled to the side of the road to a safe position and powered off the engine, allowed several minutes for it to cool then attempted to restart the engine with no luck. Service (wrench) light turned off and Check Engine light came on. - Open hood to allow engine too continue to cool and to check for exterior engine damage. - Documented current state of vehicle with photos. - Had Ford tow to Grapevine Ford in Grapevine, TX. 8am 6.9.2022 - Service Advisor reached out to confirm vehicle was in shop and would be looked at this week. - I advised that based on the engine build date on the engine sticker, this vehicle was in the batch of potentially faulty valves from the Lima facility. He said he and Ford had no knowledge of potentially faulty valves and that the tech would perform the necessary checks. 10am 6.10.2022 - Service Advisor & Manager reached out to advise that one spark plug was sheared off and that the engine would need to be replaced and possibly the turbos; FoMoCo would confirm what to replace. They actively avoided any discussion of the valves and did not respond when I mentioned them. I verbally requested copies of all videos/photos/reports related to my vehicle and access to parts. 1pm - I requested via text message to Scott Service Advisor access to the my request above. Dealer to follow up next week

Filed Jun 8, 2022 · Engine · 923 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made clicking sounds and then lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 923.