Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 59/100 (MIXED)

2026 Ford Bronco Reliability Report

The 2026 Ford Bronco has a mixed reliability standing, well below average for 2026 SUVs, with two electrical recalls and no owner complaints yet.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

N/A

Est. Repair Cost

$784

Annual Fuel Cost

$3,000–$4,000

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint SeverityN/A

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs40/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact88/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue DiversityN/A

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Caution

One of the stronger Bronco years and 5-star crash rated, but its empty complaint file reflects limited time on the road, and it has two electrical recalls.

Should You Buy the 2026 Ford Bronco?

Reliability for this Bronco is mixed, and the picture is incomplete. Against other 2026 SUVs it sits well below average. Among the six Bronco model years we score, it is one of the stronger ones. The 2025 model rates good and lands in about the same place. Owners have filed no complaints on the 2026, but that mostly reflects how little time it has had on the road. It is not proof of a clean record.

With no complaints, there are no owner-reported symptoms to describe yet. The federal record shows two recalls, both in the electrical system. The data does not say what they cover or whether they affect driving. The Bronco earns 5 of 5 stars in federal crash tests, and independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at about $784 across the model.

Ask for proof that both electrical recalls were completed. The 2025 has more owner history, with 30 complaints on file, but it also has 16 recalls, so read those records before choosing it.

See also the 2025 Ford Bronco for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Low recall count
+Low complaint frequency
+5-star NHTSA crash rating

Cons

−Below-average reliability score

Compare 2026 Ford Bronco With

2026 Jeep Wrangler

Reliability: 82/100

Excellent

2026 Land Rover Defender 110

Reliability: 64/100

Good

2026 Toyota 4Runner

Reliability: 84/100

Excellent

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Reliability: 70/100

Good

2026 Volkswagen Atlas

Reliability: 64/100

Good

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.

Ford Bronco Resale Value

The Ford Bronco is estimated to retain about 80.9% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.

This benchmark covers the Ford Bronco model overall and is not specific to the 2026 model year.

Value Retained: 80.9%
Depreciation: 19.1%
Listings Analyzed: 360

Listings observed in June 2026. Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.

Explore Ford Bronco depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.com

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

Best Ford Bronco Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Mixed

Ford Bronco Reliability Score Trend

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
2026	59/100	Mixed

Ford Bronco Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026(selected)	59/100	-2	Mixed	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?

Its reliability is mixed. It is well below average among 2026 SUVs, though it ranks among the stronger of the six Bronco years we score. No owner complaints are on file, but that mostly reflects how new it is. Two electrical recalls are on record.

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

No common problems have been reported by owners, because no complaints have been filed for this year. The only known issues come from federal recall records, which list two recalls in the electrical system. More complaints may appear as the model year ages.

Does the 2026 Ford Bronco have electrical problems?

It has two recalls in the electrical system, according to federal recall records. The data does not describe the symptoms or say whether they affect driving. No owners have filed electrical complaints. Ask for proof that both recalls were completed before buying.

How much does it cost to repair a Ford Bronco?

Independent repair-cost data estimates about $784 a year in repairs for the Bronco. That figure covers the model as a whole, not just the 2026 year. Because the 2026 is so new, real repair bills will vary with each vehicle's history.

Is the 2026 Ford Bronco better than the 2025?

Not clearly. The 2025 rates good and comes out about the same as the 2026. The 2025 has 30 complaints and 16 recalls, while the 2026 has no complaints and two recalls. The 2026 has simply had less time to collect complaints.

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

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2026 Ford Bronco

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2026 Ford Bronco does best on recall impact (88/100) and worst on repair costs (40/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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