2021 Ford Bronco

Engine

Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2021 Ford Bronco have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 133 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “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?” (NHTSA Complaint #11718771)

Electrical System

Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2021 Ford Bronco include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 93 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the parking assist fault warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed wiring harness. The contact was informed that a wire from the wiring harness was burned. In addition, the contact was informed that if the wire continued burning it might start a fire. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The claim for the repair was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11712776)

Powertrain

Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2021 Ford Bronco have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 80 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V025000 (Suspension); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was bouncing. Additionally, the rear-end swayed while driving over a bump. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11706745)

Brakes

Brake defects affecting safety may qualify for California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, which applies to defects likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. The 2021 Ford Bronco has generated 79 NHTSA complaints related to braking, including ABS failures, grinding, reduced stopping power, and warning lights. Owner reports include: “Brake fault warning occurring continuously. Seems to be a wide issue with Broncos 2021-2025. The brakes become “squishy” and have to push them to the …”

Other Systems

The 2021 Ford Bronco has generated 57 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “The instrument cluster cracked. Woke up one day and it was cracked. The crack is traveling through the important screens. Cord won’t do anything, but dozens have reported online.” (NHTSA Complaint #11720785)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2021 Ford Bronco

The following 17 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Ford Bronco by the NHTSA or Ford. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2021 Ford Bronco:

• 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
• 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
• 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Ford to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Ford must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2021 Ford Bronco qualifies as a lemon under California law, Ford may be legally required to:

• Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
• Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
• Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Ford pays all legal fees if you prevail
• Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Ford willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2021 Ford Bronco Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Ford a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Ford dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Ford pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Ford a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2021 Ford Bronco Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2021 Ford Bronco as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Ford pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Ford is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2021 Ford Bronco?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.