From Flying Fenders to Fire Concerns
The Ford Bronco just can’t catch a break. Hot on the heels of a recall for fender flares that could make a break for freedom on the highway, the legendary off-roader is back in the headlines – this time for something a lot more serious. Forget about parts flying off; now it’s what could be catching fire under the hood that has everyone talking.
Ford’s latest recall covers a whopping 565,691 Broncos from the 2021 to 2026 model years. According to the NHTSA documents, the problem is the wiring harness in the engine bay, which is apparently a little too friendly with its neighbors. If the wires get worn down, they can short out, spark, and potentially turn your Bronco’s engine bay into a bonfire.
Cole Attisha
How Ford Found the Problem
Ford’s investigation found that the wiring harness likes to rub elbows with nearby engine parts. Without enough abrasion protection, all that movement eventually wears through the harness’s outer layer, leaving the wires inside exposed.
Once those wires are out in the open, they can start shorting out and throwing sparks – enough to set off a fire if there’s anything flammable nearby. If you’re unlucky, you might spot smoke drifting through your air vents or see a warning light before you catch a glimpse of flames swirling up from the passenger side of the engine bay.
Ford’s Critical Concern Group kicked off an investigation in June after a handful of Broncos went up in smoke. Engineers dug through the evidence and found 15 cases where the wiring harness looked guilty. The reports included everything from warranty claims to legal complaints, all happening between October 2024 and June 2026. After poking around more than 80 Broncos, they found a few with telltale signs of harness rubbing. The good news? So far, no crashes or injuries have been linked to this issue.
Cole Attisha
Free Repair for Owners
To fix things, Ford dealers will wrap the wiring harness in extra abrasion tape and protective sheathing – free of charge. The idea is to stop the harness from getting chewed up again and preserve those wires from sparking any more trouble.
Dealers already got a heads-up, and owners should watch for recall letters hitting mailboxes in August. If you’re impatient, you can now check your Bronco’s VIN online via the lookup tool.
If you’ve got a 2021-2026 Bronco in your driveway, keep an eye on your mailbox and check your VIN. Even if your SUV seems fine, getting this fix done now could save you from a much bigger headache down the road.
