Ford recalls 565,000 Broncos over engine fire risk

Ford is recalling 565,691 Bronco and Bronco Raptor SUVs from the 2021–2026 model years because a ford bronco engine fire risk can arise when an engine-compartment wiring harness short-circuits. Dealers will install free protective covering; Ford says it knows of no related accidents or injuries.

Key Takeaways

• Ford is recalling 565,691 U.S. Bronco and Bronco Raptor SUVs from model years 2021 through 2026 over a possible engine-bay fire.
• Insufficient abrasion protection on the wiring harness can expose wires, cause short circuits, and spark a fire.
• Warning signs can include smoke from cabin air vents, a dashboard message, and flames on the passenger side of the engine compartment.
• The free fix adds convolute sheathing with abrasion tape; owner notices are planned for late August 2026.
• Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov and use Ford recall 26S55 or NHTSA campaign 26V468 for details.

A sudden recall for a popular SUV can feel like a headache, but for owners it is also a practical money move: catching a wiring fault early can spare you a burned engine bay, a totaled vehicle, and weeks without wheels. If you track big-ticket costs the way you track other assets, this is the kind of alert that belongs on your radar alongside other wealth hacks and passive income tips that protect what you already own.

According to ABC News reporting via the Associated Press, Ford Motor Co. announced the action on Thursday, July 24, 2026. The campaign covers more than half a million Broncos because a wiring harness in the engine compartment can short-circuit and raise the risk of fire.

Car and Driver, citing documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), puts the same figure at 565,691 Bronco and Bronco Raptor models from the 2021–2026 model years. That scale makes the ford bronco engine fire issue relevant to a huge share of recent Bronco owners in the United States.

What is causing the Ford Bronco engine fire risk?

The core problem is not a mysterious engine design flaw in the abstract. It is a protection gap on the engine wiring harness. Ford and regulators say insufficient protection—described in NHTSA paperwork as insufficient abrasion protection—can leave wires vulnerable.

As the harness moves against nearby parts, insulation can wear. Once internal wires are exposed, they may short intermittently. Those shorts can create arcs and sparks in the engine compartment, which can lead to a fire.

ABC News says that in a short-circuit event, drivers may notice smoke in the air vents or a warning message on the dashboard, followed by flames coming from the passenger side of the engine compartment. Car and Driver’s summary of the recall paperwork matches those warning signs: smoke from cabin air vents and a cluster warning message.

Ford estimates that about 1% of the recalled vehicles have the wiring harness defect, per the AP report. That percentage sounds small, but on a pool of more than 565,000 SUVs it still points to thousands of vehicles that may need the fix.

There is an important distinction in how the companies and filings describe outcomes so far. Ford told reporters it is not aware of any accidents or injuries tied to the issue. At the same time, Car and Driver reports that when the paperwork was filed, Ford was aware of 15 incidents involving a fire that may have started with the engine compartment wiring harness. In plain terms: fires have been linked to the suspected cause in filing documents, even if Ford has not tied the problem to crashes or injuries.

Which Bronco models and years are in the recall?

The recall includes Ford Broncos and Bronco Raptors for model years 2021 through 2026. Both the AP and Car and Driver accounts use the same headcount: 565,691 vehicles.

Ford’s internal recall number is 26S55. NHTSA’s campaign number is 26V468. Vehicle identification numbers involved in the recall are searchable on NHTSA.gov, so owners do not have to guess from a model year alone.

If your Bronco falls inside those years, treat a VIN check as step one. A model-year match is a strong clue, but the official VIN tool is the clean way to confirm whether your specific SUV is listed.

How will dealers fix the wiring harness problem?

The remedy is free at Ford dealerships. ABC News says dealers will install new covers over the wiring at no charge. Car and Driver, again citing NHTSA documents, says technicians will install convolute sheathing with abrasion tape on the engine compartment wiring harness to prevent chafing and cut the risk of future short circuits.

Those descriptions line up: the goal is better physical protection so the harness does not abrade, expose conductors, or arc. Owners are not being asked to buy a new harness as a paid upgrade. The campaign is a no-cost dealer service once your vehicle is confirmed in the recall.

Dealer notifications have already begun, Car and Driver reports. Ford plans to notify owners between August 24 and August 28. That window matters if you are deciding whether to call the dealer now or wait for the letter. Concerned customers can already check the NHTSA website rather than waiting for mail.

What should Ford Bronco owners do right now?

First, look up your VIN on NHTSA.gov and confirm whether recall 26V468 (Ford 26S55) applies. If it does, schedule the free dealer repair when parts and appointments are available.

Second, know the warning signs. Smoke from the vents, a dashboard warning, or any hint of fire on the passenger side of the engine bay should be treated as an emergency—not a drive-it-until-the-appointment problem. Get to a safe place and seek help.

Third, save the contact lines published with the recall. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332, or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-888-275-9171).

From a household-budget angle, a delayed recall fix is a bad trade. Engine-compartment fires can destroy a high-value SUV, spike insurance outcomes, and wipe out equity you planned to keep. Getting the free sheathing and tape install done is one of the simplest ways to protect that asset while the campaign is active.

The ford bronco engine fire recall is large, specific, and actionable. More than 565,000 2021–2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor SUVs are covered because a poorly protected engine wiring harness can short and spark. Ford estimates the defect rate near 1%, reports no related accidents or injuries, and—per NHTSA filings summarized by Car and Driver—had noted 15 possible fire incidents at filing time. The free dealer fix adds abrasion protection; owner notices are due in late August. Check your VIN, watch for smoke or dash warnings, and book the repair so a wiring chafe problem does not turn into a burned engine bay.