After rainfall, my 2023 Ford Bronco would not start. The dealership (Stivers Ford Lincoln, Waukee, IA) diagnosed water intrusion behind the dashboard that corroded the body connector electrical harness and Body Control Module (BCM). A warranty claim (#109441186) was submitted to Ford and denied on the basis that the affected component was not listed under a current Special Service Message or Technical Service Bulletin. The vehicle was subsequently taken to a second Ford dealership (Dewey Ford) for a second opinion. That dealership identified the root cause as an inadequate factory seal between the dashboard and the wiring harness, allowing water to repeatedly enter the electrical system — consistent with Ford's own Special Service Message 53814 and Technical Service Bulletin 21-2403/22-2074, which document water intrusion at the A-pillar/windshield header area on 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles. This is also consistent with the federal safety agency Recall 25V546/Ford 25C43, in which Ford recalled 2024-2025 Mustang vehicles for water intrusion into the Body Control Module caused by improperly sealed body seams. Repair costs for this failure were quoted at approximately $8,400. Ford ultimately agreed to a partial goodwill adjustment, but I was required to pay a significant amount out of pocket for a failure I believe stems from a factory sealing defect rather than normal wear or owner-caused damage. I am filing this complaint because this appears to be part of a broader, recurring pattern of water-intrusion-related electrical failures on the Bronco platform that has not yet been addressed by a formal recall.
Ford Bronco won't start problems
20 of the 1,445 owner complaints about the Ford Bronco describe won't start, most of them for the 2021 model year.
- owner complaints
- 20
- worst model year
- 2021
By model year
- 20261
- 20234
- 20223
- 202110
- 19911
- 19901
Often reported together
Fuel pump 8Engine failure 4Stalling 3Loss of power 3Check engine light 3Overheating 1
What owners say
My car would not start. Turns out it was the fuel pump/filter low pressure recall issue. It was towed to the dealership and has been there since without a remedy from Ford, despite the recall being released over a year ago. Absolutely ridiculous that my vehicle is being held hostage because the manufacturer has not come up with a remedy.
Fuel pump.has low pressure therefore making vehicle stop running completely. Has happened twice , once while driving on highway. This is extremly dangerous to have your vehicle just come to complete dead stop in middle.of road. FORD has no remedy to fix and now i am without a car I am paying for since it wont start now.
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.
1. Component/system that failed/malfunctioned — Braking system (electronic parking brake and brake control modules) combined with electrical/communication defect preventing storage of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). Vehicle available for inspection upon request. 2. How safety was put at risk — Repeated "Park Brake Fault – Service Now" and "Brake System Fault" warnings on dash while driving risk sudden loss of parking brake function, reduced braking, or unexpected behavior (e.g., transmission no-engagement beyond walking pace after cold start), impairing safe stopping/control and endangering driver and others. 3. Problem reproduced/confirmed by dealer — Yes — reproduced/confirmed multiple times by authorized Ford dealer (Town & Country Ford, Evansville, IN) across five visits (invoices attached): active brake faults visible on dash during service, yet "no codes found," "unable to verify," "NP no problem found." Examples: [XXX] (30,113 mi) brake fault while driving; [XXX]intermittent parking brake light, no codes; [XXX] transmission slip and brake fault, no codes. 4. Inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance, or others — Inspected only by dealer. Ford CX team contacted (CRM [XXX] , July 2025) but no further inspection/resolution. No police or insurance inspections. 5. Warning lamps/messages prior to failure and when first appeared — "Park Brake Error Message" and "Park Brake Fault" warnings first documented ~25,722 miles (early visits after [XXX] purchase at 13 miles). No-DTC retention defect prevented earlier alerts/diagnosis. Symptoms escalated (transmission slip, cold no-start die-out, brake faults recurring). 6. Additional notes — Out of service >60 cumulative days; loaner restricted to local driving only when provided. Part of Indiana Lemon Law claim (BBB AUTO LINE Case [XXX]). Due to 10-file/10MB upload limit, core documents attached; additional photos, full invoices, loaner agreement, BBB correspondence available upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.
The vehicle experienced recurring electrical system failures beginning in December 2023. The vehicle intermittently would not start and on several occasions lost power unexpectedly. The vehicle was taken multiple times to an authorized Ford dealership for diagnosis while still under the manufacturer warranty. The dealership repeatedly reported that no issue could be identified despite the recurring electrical malfunction. The vehicle battery was replaced more than once within three years, however the underlying electrical issue persisted. In August 2025 the dealership instructed that the vehicle remain at the service center for extended diagnosis. The vehicle remained at the dealership for more than 40 consecutive days before being returned on October 8, 2025. Because the vehicle intermittently fails to start and has experienced electrical system malfunction, this creates a potential safety risk if the vehicle stalls or loses power while operating in traffic. Additionally, the vehicle currently has two outstanding manufacturer safety recalls that remain unresolved after nearly three years of ownership. This complaint is being submitted because the defect remains unresolved despite multiple repair attempts while the vehicle was under the manufacturer warranty.
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.
While idling, the engine died. I attempted to restart several times with no luck. Battery was working, but engine would not start. Towed to Ford dealership and had to have the fuel pump replaced. Car had around 10k miles and recently went through an inspection.
On [XXX] I was driving the vehicle during heavy rain. I commute 47 miles each way to work, when nearing my work location the car started to sputter like it was out of fuel and slowed to a crawl, applying pressure to the gas pedal had no impact - acted like it was getting no fuel, was able to pull vehicle over to side of the road. Vehicle would turn over but would not start - Check Engine light came on - codes displayed on code reader indicated that the high pressure fuel sensor and the low pressure fuel sensor were having issues. I had the vehicle towed to the closest Ford Dealer and they ended up replacing the fuel sensors and fuel pump. Thought that it was a faulty fuel pump. The Mileage I believe was 59516. On Wednesday [XXX] I was again driving this vehicle to work in a rain storm and at almost the exact same distance from home on the exact route the vehicle exhibited the exact same symptoms and the vehicle abruptly stopped running after shuttering to a stop with no fuel. In both cases the vehicle had a nearly full tank of fuel. The vehicle has been taken back to the Ford Dealership for repair. It appears that there is an issue when driving for extended periods on very wet roads water is entering the fuel systems electrical components and causing the system to fail causing a very unsafe driving condition. On December 11th the area had received 3.23 inches of rain in a 3 day period with the heaviest falling on the morning of December 11th. December was when Hurricane Helene passed to the west of our location in South Carolina dropping several inches of rain. Have made short trips in light rain with no issues, only in heavy rain and long distance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle stopped multiple times over the course of 2 weeks. 1 time it shut off while driving on a side road. I was able to restart and continue on. The last time it shut off in my driveway abs would not start again. Vehicle Ford dealership was recently towed to Ford dealership awaiting repair.
Related recalls
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
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 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
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on March 4, 2026.
Recall number 26V122000 · 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 Ford Bronco won't start
Which Ford Bronco years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2021 (10 complaints), 2023 (4 complaints) and 2022 (3 complaints).
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