After 15 Incidents, Ford Recalls Over Half a Million Broncos Due to Fire Risk

According to Ford Motor Company, a significant recall has been issued for nearly 566,000 Bronco vehicles manufactured between the 2021 and 2026 model years. The recall addresses a potential defect in the engine compartment wiring harness that could lead to heat or sparks, increasing the risk of a fire in the engine compartment area. This issue stems from the wiring harness experiencing relative movement against surrounding components, coupled with insufficient abrasion protection, which can expose internal wiring. When these exposed circuits create a short to ground, arcing can occur, potentially igniting nearby flammable materials.

The safety risk associated with this defect includes the possibility of smoke or fire originating from the engine compartment. Such an event could lead to serious injury or a vehicle crash. Drivers might notice smoke emanating from their air vents or see a warning message on the instrument cluster prior to observing flames. Ford has been investigating fire events in these model years since June 2026, identifying similarities in some incidents where smoke was observed in vents and flames appeared from the passenger side of the engine compartment. Investigations into specific fire events, including seven Bronco Raptor fires and eight base Bronco fires, suggest a possible origin in the passenger side engine compartment. While vehicle reviews, computer-aided engineering analysis, and vibration testing have been conducted, Ford is not currently aware of any accidents or injuries directly linked to this specific condition.

Ford has identified that Bronco Raptor models may be more susceptible to harness chafing due to their distinct physical architecture and suspension characteristics. However, vibration testing on base Bronco models also indicated wear levels on the wiring harness covering that could eventually lead to exposure of internal circuits. To address this potential chafing concern, an enhanced protective covering has been introduced into production. As of July 13, 2026, Ford has documented 15 incidents, including warranty reports, field reports, customer service reports, owner questionnaires, and legal claims, where a fire may have originated from the engine compartment wiring harness between October 15, 2024, and June 20, 2026. The company’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern on July 13, 2026, and approved the recall.

The remedy for affected vehicles will involve owners being notified by mail and instructed to bring their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealership. At the dealership, technicians will add convolute sheathing with abrasion tape to the engine compartment wire harness at no cost to the owner. This repair is designed to provide sufficient protective covering to prevent chafing and future shorts of exposed circuits. The remedy component is essentially an upgraded protective covering for the existing wiring harness. Ford expects to notify dealers on July 23, 2026, with owner notification letters scheduled to be mailed starting August 24, 2026, and completed by August 28, 2026. Owners will be able to check the applicability of this recall to their specific vehicle by calling Ford’s toll-free line at 1-866-436-7332 or by contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer, starting July 23, 2026.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Ford Motor Company.

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