Last updated: 2026-04-20

RELIABILITY SCORE: 56/100 (MIXED)

2026 Ford Bronco Reliability Report

Name: 2026 Ford Bronco
Brand: Ford

The 2026 Ford Bronco has a predicted reliability score of 56/100 based on prior model year data. Early data shows 2 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

N/A

Est. Repair Cost

$784

Annual Fuel Cost

$3,000–$4,000

The Verdict

Caution

Based on historical reliability patterns, predicted to score 56/100 — proceed with caution.

Should You Buy the 2026 Ford Bronco?

The 2026 Ford Bronco has a predicted reliability score of 56/100 ("Mixed") based on prior model year performance.

So far: 2 recalls, 0 owner complaints. No owner-reported issues on file yet.

Prior model years suggest some reliability concerns. A thorough pre-purchase inspection and extended warranty are recommended. This is a predicted score — real-world data is still developing.

See also the 2025 Ford Bronco for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Low recall count
+Low complaint frequency

Cons

−Prior years suggest below-average reliability
−Score is a prediction — real-world data still developing

Compare 2026 Ford Bronco With

2026 Jeep Wrangler

Predicted: 64/100

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2026 Land Rover Defender 110

Predicted: 60/100

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2026 Toyota 4RUNNER

Predicted: 81/100

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2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Predicted: 68/100

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2026 Volkswagen Atlas

Predicted: 59/100

Predicted

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

2 manufacturer recalls issued

Recall Overview

recalls on record

The 2026 Ford Bronco carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

complaints

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2026 Ford Bronco Recall Details

2 recalls have been issued for the 2026 Ford Bronco. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

25V7880002025-11-14

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.

Consequence

An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The instrument panel cluster software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC3.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2026 Ford Bronco? Check its history first

Every 2026 Ford Bronco has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2026 Ford Bronco NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 5/5

Rollover risk: 17.4%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (No)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Driver Monitoring System (No)Automatic High Beams (Standard)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Ford BroncoRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$784

Repair Frequency

0.4

unscheduled repair visits per year

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

15–20 MPG

Running cost: $3,800–$4,800/yr

Fuel + repair

15–19 city / 16–22 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2026 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Bronco 4WD 2.3L 4-cyl	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S10)	18	22	20	$3,000
Bronco Outer Banks 4WD 2.7L 6-cyl	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S10)	19	21	20	$3,000
Bronco 4WD 2.3L 4-cyl	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	Manual 7-spd	18	21	19	$3,150
Bronco Badlands 4WD 2.3L 4-cyl	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S10)	17	19	18	$3,300
Bronco Sasquatch 4WD 2.3L 4-cyl	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S10)	17	19	18	$3,300
Bronco Sasquatch 4WD 2.3L 4-cyl	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	Manual 7-spd	17	19	18	$3,300
Bronco 4WD 2.7L 6-cyl	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S10)	17	17	17	$3,500
Bronco Badlands 4WD 2.3L 4-cyl	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	Manual 7-spd	17	18	17	$3,500
Bronco Raptor 4WD 3.0L 6-cyl	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S10)	15	16	15	$4,000

Best & Worst Ford Bronco Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Ford Bronco Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

The best Ford Bronco year is 2025 with a reliability score of 61/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2024 (58/100) and 2023 (50/100).

Top Pick

Good

Ford Bronco Years to Avoid

The worst Ford Bronco year is 2021 with a score of 41/100, primarily due to electrical system (168) issues. Also avoid 2022 (43/100).

Mixed

2021

31Recalls

798Complaints

Mixed

2022

32Recalls

576Complaints

See full Ford Bronco years-to-avoid analysis

Ford Bronco Reliability Score Trend

Ford Bronco reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 56/100 compared to 42/100 for older years.

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Ford Bronco reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2021	41/100	Mixed
2022	43/100	Mixed
2023	50/100	Mixed
2024	58/100	Mixed
2025	61/100	Good

Ford Bronco Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026(selected)	56/100 (predicted)	—	Predicted	2	0
2025	61/100	+3	Good	16	30
2024	58/100	+8	Mixed	18	104
2023	50/100	+7	Mixed	27	295
2022	43/100	+2	Mixed	32	576
2021	41/100	—	Mixed	31	798

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Ford Bronco reliable?

The 2026 Ford Bronco has a predicted reliability score of 56/100 ("Mixed") based on prior model year data. So far there are 2 recalls and 0 owner complaints on file. This is a prediction — the actual score will be available once more real-world data accumulates.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Ford Bronco?

There aren't enough owner complaints to establish common problem patterns yet for the 2026 Ford Bronco. Based on available data, the main item to verify is recall completion. Prior model years can indicate what to watch for.

How many recalls does the 2026 Ford Bronco have?

The 2026 Ford Bronco has 2 recalls on record. Recalls are safety or compliance fixes issued by the manufacturer and repaired at no cost at authorized dealerships.

How is the predicted score calculated?

The predicted score of 56/100 is calculated by averaging reliability scores from prior model years of the same generation. When generation data is unavailable, the average of the most recent model years is used. The prediction updates automatically as new data becomes available.

Don’t buy a 2026 Ford Bronco without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Ford Bronco.

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