I have a new bronco with 3,000 miles on it and I used my heated steering wheel for the first time today and the cabin started filling up with smoke. The smoke was coming from the steering column. I’m not sure if something was on fire or just smoking but I didn’t see flames just a lot of smoke. I have a video. Where can I email it?
The worst 2026 Ford Bronco problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Body3
- Electrical2
- Transmission2
- Engine1
- Seat belts1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body3
- Electrical2
- Transmission2
- Engine1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Steering1
- Visibility1
Recalls 9
Air bags: side/window: curtain
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Bronco vehicles. The mounting bracket on the right-hand-side side curtain air bag may have a metal burr that can tear the air bag during deployment.
- Risk
- A torn air bag may fail to properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will increase the space between the bracket and air bag to remove the contact condition, free of charge. Owner notification letters were October 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S64. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on September 10, 2026.
Recall number 26V580000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on August 28, 2026.
Recall number 26V548000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
- 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
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Bronco vehicles. The fender flares may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
- Risk
- A detached fender flare can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the fender flares as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 1, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S47. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning August 7, 2026.
Recall number 26V403000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
- Risk
- A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S35. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on May 28, 2026.
Recall number 26V343000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The vehicle specifications listed on the tire placard and safety certification labels may be incorrect, including the VIN, capacity weight, seating capacity, front and rear gross axle weight rating (GAWR), tire and rim dimensions, and recommended cold tire pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims" and 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
- Risk
- The incorrect tire size, tire pressures, and GAWR listed on the labels can allow the vehicle to be overloaded or have improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the certification and TREAD labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C24. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on May 28, 2026.
Recall number 26V335000 · Recall details
Seats: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The front seats may have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.
- Risk
- A seat with a dislodged bolt may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the pivot links and bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 26S30. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on beginning April 30, 2026.
Recall number 26V268000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: software
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The APIM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S09. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on March 5, 2026.
Recall number 26V124000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.
- Risk
- An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The instrument panel cluster software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC3.
Recall number 25V788000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2026 Ford Bronco 33
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Water leaking between the back glass and hard top
- Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel)...
- Quality improvements include: -Enhanced Android Auto and Car Play connectivity
- Quality improvements include: -Addresses a bug that may
- Quality improvements include: -ePrivacy enhancements
- Some of the following vehicles: 2023-2025 F-Super Duty built on or before 02-Feb-2025 2024-2026...
- For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion...
- Diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) B128A:01, B128A:11, B128A:12, B128A:13, B1288:11, B1288:12 and/or B1238:17...
- Some 2021-2026 Bronco vehicles may require the removal and installation of the transfer case for various...
- Illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2122, P2123,...
2026 Ford Bronco fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 17-18 | 18-22 | 17-20 |
| 2.7L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 17-19 | 17-21 | 17-20 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15 | 16 | 15 |
What 2026 Ford Bronco owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Hardtop is cracking already. Was built in June of 2026 and purchased in August of 2026. Top needs replacement already. Looked on the dealer lot and every new and used bronco with the M.I.C top had cracks like mine or worse.
Twice, while flat towing the 2026 Ford Bronco something happen and allegedly the neutral tow disabled and I had to replace the transmission. $7,500 each time. The first time the Bronco had 900 miles and the second time the unit had 3,000 miles. Both times the warranty claim was denied. Ford blamed it on a battery voltage drop which in turn disabled the neutral tow. I can not find anywhere in the manual where it says the battery voltage level can not fall below a certain level. Can you help I will upload the first transmission invoice. The unit is currently in the shop getting the second transmission installed. The price is the same as the first.
Vehicle front passenger wheel well flare detached while driving narrowly avoiding impact to other vehicles on the road. After recovering the part noticed front driver wheel well flare starting to detach. Safety clips appeared intact as if they never locked in place.
The contact owns a 2026 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70-75 MPH in the left lane on the interstate on a sunny day, near the grass, the driver's side rear window exploded without impact. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Another local dealer, Hagerstown Ford Service (1714 Massey Blvd, Hagerstown, MD 21740), was contacted and was able to replace the glass. A warranty claim was filed but was later denied. The manufacturer was contacted and determined that the failure was caused by an unidentified object and declined the claim. The failure mileage was approximately 735.
While driving on the roadway at approximately 5,841 odometer miles, the vehicle's fender moulding/flare clip retention failed, causing the moulding to loosen and completely detach from the vehicle. The detached fender moulding separated in transit, creating an immediate road debris hazard for surrounding traffic and trailing motorists. The detached component was recovered with cosmetic surface damage and taken to an independent repair facility for repair and repainting. The component and vehicle remain available for inspection upon request. Prior to detachment, there were no interior warning lamps or messages displayed. The failure matches the defect condition identified under the federal safety agency Safety Recall Campaign 26V403 (Ford Manufacturer Recall 26S47). The manufacturer's customer support center was contacted to report the failure and seek pre-remedy out-of-pocket repair reimbursement under federal recall guidelines. The manufacturer stated that no reimbursement review or escalation could proceed because the official recall remedy status remains 'Remedy Not Available' (anticipated September 2026), leaving the vehicle owner without a remedy or immediate reimbursement pathway after experiencing the safety failure.
Seat beat created a laceration on arm with normal use.
The contact owns a 2026 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH and depressing the accelerator to make a left turn, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The transmission shifted into neutral, and the vehicle coasted forward. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and activated the hazard lights. The system was reset, and the vehicle was able to accelerate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate or determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure; however, the dealer contacted the manufacturer and confirmed the dealer's decision of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 617.
Description On your vehicle, it may be possible that one or more engine camshaft roller finger followers were not properly installed at the time of engine assembly. Safety Risk An improperly installed engine camshaft roller finger follower may result in engine failure, resulting in a no-start condition or a loss of motive power. A loss of motive power increases the risk of a crash. Your vehicle may also experience engine ticking or tapping noise, and or a low-volume oil leak due to this condition. Remedy A remedy is not yet available. Ford Motor Company is working to provide parts for this repair. When the remedy becomes available, Ford Motor Company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer for repairs to be completed free of charge. The remedy is anticipated to be available 4TH quarter of 2026. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service. NOTE: Recall service not available right now. We have a remedy but parts are not available right now. We will inform you when the service is available. Or, you can contact your dealer.
The 2026 Ford Bronco Outer Banks instrument cluster has gone blank on two occasions (4/3/26 and 4/23/29). The first time the service department at Joe Mahan Ford, Paris, TN reported the display returned when connected to thier computer, but kept the Bronco for several days trying to replicate the condition. I returned it to the dealer for the same fault on 4/27/26 and it is still in the shop. With the Cluster blank the gauges, speedometer, cruise control, lane warning and assist are not operational. Speed limit and travel speeds are visible on the Car Play navigation screen. I’ll update this complaint upon dealer release.
Compare the 2026 Ford Bronco
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2026 Ford Bronco
Is the 2026 Ford Bronco reliable?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2026 Ford Bronco, fewer than a typical Bronco model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2026 Ford Bronco?
Body and structure, with 3 complaints. Next is electrical (2).
How many recalls does the 2026 Ford Bronco have?
9 recalls, covering air bags, engine and engine cooling and electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 2026 Ford Bronco body?
Yes, 1 recall: 26V403000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Bronco have the most body problems?
The Ford Bronco model years with the most body complaints are 2022 (30 complaints), 2023 (17 complaints) and 2024 (17 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2026 Ford Bronco get?
Official estimates for the 2026 Ford Bronco range from 15 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, 4WD) gets 17-18 city and 18-22 highway.
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