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?
2021 Ford Bronco: engine failure
34 of the 231 complaints about the 2021 Ford Bronco describe engine failure.
- owner complaints
- 34
- of this car's complaints
- 15%
- recalls
- 2
Engine failure by model year
- 20261
- 20241
- 20233
- 20228
- 202134
- 19952
What owners say
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electrical system and the engine seized. The contact noticed fire and smoke which exited from the engine compartment. The contact was the only occupant of the vehicle when the failure occurred. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was inspected and diagnosed with a faulty alternator. The contact was informed that the seized gears overheated the alternator motor, which caused the fire. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed smoke exiting the engine compartment. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stopped and parked the vehicle. The contact turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was started, however, the vehicle did not start. The contact stated several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, the contact's wife and minor child were also occupants of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was confirmed to have a failed alternator motor. The contact was informed that the alternator motor needed to be replaced again. In addition, the contact was informed that the seized gears in the alternator motor caused the fire. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. In addition, the contact stated he was fearful of ever driving the vehicle again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact requested a vehicle buyback. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
Week and half ago engine started idling real rough, sputtering, then drove about 100 yds. Engine conked out in middle of intersection and would not restart. Was dangerous because had 3 grandchildren in back seat. Because engine wouldn’t start I had trouble trying to get it in neutral to push vehicle to side of road. Had to walk grand kids back to their house. Got a AAA tow approximately 35 miles to Ford dealer where purchased. There were no warning messages prior to engine failure except the rough idle and sputtering Vehicle was diagnosed as a fuel pump failure, but vehicle is still at dealership over 10 days awaiting parts
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.
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)
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she depressed the accelerator pedal however, the engine failed to engage, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. No warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was notified, and the contact was scheduled and appointment for the following month. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
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.
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
my car went from 50 mph to nothing. lost power. coasted to the side of the road barely avoiding traffic. dark road, sheriff had to sit behind car so I was not rear ended in pitch dark had to be towed to the dealer. one week later dealer uncertain. likely complete engine failure maybe fuel valve less than one year old. 11,000 miles
Engine failed and replaced under warranty.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and...
- Certain 2021
- Some 2021-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine, 2021-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped...
- New vehicle demonstration / delivery hold
- Some 2021-2025 Bronco and 2024-2025 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L/3.0L EcoBoost engine may require...
- Some 2021-2024 Edge/Nautilus, 2021-2025 Bronco/Bronco...
- Certain 2021
- Some 2020 Continental, 2020-2024 Edge/Nautilus, 2020-2025 Explorer/Aviator/Escape/Corsair/F-150/F-Super...
Related recalls
Engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A short circuit in the engine compartment can create heat or spark, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install sheathing over the wiring, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2026 Bronco Raptor notified owners on 7/31/2026. Phase 2 will include 2021-2025 Bronco Raptor vehicle will notify owners on or about 8/14/2026. Phase 3 will include 2021-2026 Bronco will notify owners on or about 9/1/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S55. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on July 23, 2026.
Recall number 26V468000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S55.
Recall number 24V635000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2021 Ford Bronco engine failure
Is engine failure a common problem on the 2021 Ford Bronco?
34 of 231 owner complaints about the 2021 Ford Bronco (15%) mention engine failure. The model year with the most reports is 2021.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Ford Bronco?
There are 2 recalls and 24 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2021 Ford Bronco
Fuel pump 19Loss of power 18Check engine light 16Wipers 13Stalling 12Won't start 10Backup camera 8Fire or smoke 5
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