Ford Bronco
Problems & Worst Years

Three model years of Ford Bronco complaints tell two fairly different stories. The 2021, heaviest of the group at 133 total occurrences, leans mechanical: 22 reports of engine failure attributed to valve issues, 17 of brake system failure described as causing loss of control, another 17 of engine stall at idle tied to stop-start system failure, and a safety-severity entry — 13 occurrences — of fuel system failure leading to engine shutdown. Electrical faults triggering dashboard warnings round out its top five.

The 2022 and 2023 pivot to something more mundane but persistent: windshield wipers that slow down or stop during operation, the top complaint both years at 39 and 36 occurrences respectively, and rated high severity in the data — wipers that quit mid-storm are not a trivial fault. The 2022 adds a safety-severity oddity in electronic brake boost malfunction during flat towing (13 reports) plus nine reports of steering lock-up; the 2023's shorter file mixes brake system malfunctions at safety severity (6 occurrences) with general electrical and engine performance complaints.

Recall exposure spans all three years and overlaps heavily: 24V635, 25V025, 25V455, and 25V685 on the 2021; 23V155, 23V379, 24V635, 25V455, and 25V685 on the 2022; and 23V070, 23V379, 23V546, 25V025, 25V685, and 26V236 on the 2023. Several campaigns recur across years, so a VIN check for completed work belongs on the shopping checklist regardless of which year you're considering.

Totals trend downward year over year — 133, 107, 73 — which favors the newer trucks on paper. Hold that conclusion loosely: complaint counts are what owners filed with NHTSA, not measured failure rates, and the newer years have simply had less time to accumulate reports. On any of the three, a pre-purchase inspection that includes running the wipers under load, checking for stored engine and brake codes, and reviewing the service history will settle more than the year-to-year totals can.