Ford Bronco Recall Affects 565,691 SUVs: What Owners Need to Know

Ford has recalled 565,691 2021–2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor SUVs in the United States because an engine-compartment wiring harness can become damaged, short-circuit and create a fire risk. The campaign, NHTSA number 26V468 and Ford number 26S55, is large not simply because of its vehicle count: it applies across nearly the entire production run of the current-generation Bronco. For owners, the important distinction is that this is not the smaller Bronco Sport crossover and it is not the long-running fuel-injector campaign affecting some Bronco Sport and Escape models. It is a separate recall concerning the body-on-frame Bronco and Bronco Raptor.

The recalled vehicle population is broad, but eligibility still turns on the individual VIN. Ford says dealers will add convolute sheathing secured with abrasion-resistant tape to the wiring harness at no cost, while owner letters are expected to begin mailing on August 24, 2026. Owners should check now rather than wait for mail, especially before a long trip, an off-road outing or a used-vehicle purchase.

What Ford says is wrong with the Bronco

The recall centers on an engine-compartment wiring harness. Ford reported that inadequate protection can allow the harness to sustain damage, exposing wiring and creating the possibility of a short circuit. A short can generate heat or sparks, raising the risk of an underhood fire.

That description matters because the remedy is targeted. Dealers will add convolute sheathing secured with abrasion-resistant tape to the engine-compartment wiring harness rather than replace an engine, fuel system or battery. A harness-protection repair may sound modest, but it addresses the mechanism Ford identified: preventing chafing or damage that could expose the conductors.

Ford estimates that roughly 1% of the recalled population has the defect. That estimate should not be read as a reason to ignore the campaign. Recall populations are intentionally broader than the number of vehicles expected to show a defect because manufacturers must identify vehicles built with the potentially affected configuration. A VIN confirmed as included should receive the remedy even if it has shown no warning signs.

Why the breadth of the recall changes the ownership question

A recall spanning model years 2021 through 2026 reaches original owners, second and third owners, and a meaningful number of Broncos now in dealer or independent used-car inventory. It also covers Bronco Raptor variants. Buyers should not assume that a newer 2026 vehicle, a low-mileage example or a Raptor is automatically outside the campaign.

For shoppers, this is a VIN-level due-diligence item rather than a reason to dismiss every Bronco. A completed recall repair should be documented in the vehicle’s service history, but the most useful check remains the federal VIN lookup. NHTSA notes that its tool reports unrepaired recalls tied to a specific VIN; a year-make-model search instead returns general campaign information. That distinction is especially useful when comparing two otherwise similar used Broncos.

For owners, Ford and NHTSA have not issued a public “park outside” or “do not drive” instruction for this campaign. That does not eliminate the fire risk identified in the filing. It means owners should follow the current recall guidance, arrange the repair promptly after their VIN is confirmed and watch for any updated instructions from Ford or NHTSA.

Symptoms are a reason to stop, not a substitute for a VIN check

Reporting on the recall says a short circuit could be preceded by smoke through the air vents or a dashboard warning message, followed in the most serious scenario by flames from the passenger-side portion of the engine compartment. Those are potential indicators, not a diagnostic checklist: a Bronco with no symptoms may still be covered, and a warning message can have other causes.

If an owner smells burning material, sees smoke, receives an electrical warning or observes unusual heat from the engine compartment, the prudent response is to stop in a safe location, shut off the vehicle if conditions allow and seek assistance. Do not attempt to inspect exposed wiring in a hot engine bay. The broader point is that recall service is preventive; waiting for a symptom defeats much of its value.

The recall also illustrates why a campaign number is worth retaining. Ford identifies this action as 26S55, while NHTSA uses 26V468. Either number can help an owner, dealer service department or prospective buyer make sure they are discussing this wiring-harness campaign rather than an unrelated Bronco or Bronco Sport recall.

What to do before August 24

First, enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup. VINs for this campaign became searchable in July, so an owner does not need to wait for Ford’s planned August 24 notification mailing. If the vehicle is included, contact a Ford dealer and ask about appointment availability for campaign 26S55.

Second, confirm which Bronco is in the driveway. The covered vehicles are certain 2021–2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor SUVs, not every vehicle carrying a Bronco badge. This avoids confusion with the Bronco Sport, which is a different vehicle and has been involved in separate fuel-injector fire-risk recalls.

Finally, keep the repair record. Recall repairs are free, and the documentation can be useful for resale, trade-in discussions and future service visits. Ford says it is not aware of crashes or injuries connected to this wiring-harness issue. That is encouraging, but the scale and fire-related nature of the campaign make timely completion the sensible course.

Related RecallWire coverage: RecallWire Weekly Recall Update

The practical takeaway for Bronco owners

This recall is not a verdict on every current-generation Bronco, nor does it mean a fire is likely in an individual SUV. It is, however, a safety campaign affecting more than half a million vehicles over a failure mode that can escalate from wiring damage to an underhood fire. Owners of 2021–2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor models should run a VIN check now, schedule the no-cost protective-sheathing repair if included, and preserve the completed-repair record. For used buyers, an open 26S55 campaign is a negotiable service item—but only after the seller or dealer commits to having it repaired.