Ford Just Recalled Over 500K Broncos Because of an Engine Fire Risk
Ford Bronco owners may want to reach out to the automaker.
The Detroit giant has recalled over half a million examples of the popular SUV. The affected vehicles, which were built between 2021 and 2026, feature a problematic wiring harness that increases the risk of engine fires.
According to the official report, which was published on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website earlier this week, the recall is necessary because of an issue with the wiring harness in the engine bay that can cause heat or a spark that can potentially lead to a fire. The part lacks sufficient abrasion protection, which means movement between it and other engine components can lead to exposed wires that can create a short circuit. If that does happen, drivers may notice smoke coming from the cabin air vents, see flames coming out the passenger side of the engine compartment, or receive a cluster warning message.
As scary as that sounds, Ford says there is already a fix for the issue, which, as some recent recalls have shown, is not always a guarantee. The automaker says drivers can bring their Bronco into a dealership, where a technician will add convolute and abrasion tape to the wiring harness to protect it. The repair is free.
The notice states 565,911 Broncos and Bronco Raptors are subject to the recall. That number is high—especially when one considers that Ford has built 589,860 examples of the model since bringing it back in 2021—but Ford estimates that just 1 percent of the recalled vehicles actually have the defect.
Ford began investigating the Bronco’s engine compartment wiring harness issue in June. The automaker is currently aware of 15 potential incidents—including eight standard Broncos and seven Bronco Raptors—related to the issue.
Ford’s recall report notes the company has already begun alerting dealerships about the potentially dangerous issue. After that is done, the automaker plans to inform customers of the affected Broncos between August 24 and 28. Those who don’t want to wait until then can check if their Bronco is affected on the NHTSA’s dedicated recall website, which allows drivers to look up their vehicle using its license plate or VIN number.
