Recall headlines love big numbers, and this one has a whopper. Read the actual federal filing, though, and the story becomes less “every Bronco is a fire hazard” and more “Ford found a weak spot in a wiring harness and decided to wrap all of them.”
The numbers, straight from the filing
Ford’s Part 573 report to NHTSA covers 565,691 2021-2026 Ford Bronco vehicles built between Sep 23, 2020 and Jun 28, 2026. That is essentially the entire modern Bronco run. Ford’s own estimate of how many are actually defective is 1%, which works out to roughly 5,700 trucks. nhtsa
So why recall the other 99%? Partly because these vehicles are not produced in VIN order, so there’s no tidy serial-number range that isolates the bad ones. When you can’t draw a fence, you recall the whole pasture. nhtsa
What’s actually going wrong
The failure is old-school mechanical wear, not a software ghost. According to the filing, relative movement between the engine compartment wiring harness and surrounding components and insufficient abrasion protection on the wiring harness can lead to exposure of wiring. If internal harness circuits are exposed, intermittent shorts can create arcing. The harness rubs against something, the jacket wears through, and bare copper eventually finds ground. nhtsa
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The Raptor detail is the most interesting part. Ford’s engineers found that harnesses in Bronco Raptor vehicles are more likely to experience relative chafing contact than harnesses on base Bronco vehicles. However, vibration testing on base Bronco resulted in wear levels to the wiring harness covering which still indicate opportunity for eventual exposure of internal circuits. The incident tally backs that up. Ford identified seven Bronco Raptor fires and eight base Bronco fires. Raptors are a small share of total Bronco production, so seven fires from that slice is disproportionate. nhtsa
My read: the Raptor’s longer-travel suspension and different underhood layout create more movement around the harness. That should make owners of heavily lifted or long-travel aftermarket builds pay attention. Ford didn’t test modified trucks, but the physics don’t care whose name is on the control arms.
The paper trail
As of July 13, 2026, Ford was aware of 2 warranty reports, 3 field reports, 1 Customer Service Report, 4 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires, and 10 legal claims, representing a total of 15 incidents. Those sources add up to 20, which tells you some fires generated more than one report. Ten legal claims is also notable: lawyers were circling before the recall was filed. On the upside, Ford is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition. nhtsanhtsa
The harness supplier is listed as Versigent, based in Mexico. The filing lists six harness part numbers, each tied to specific model years. The first letter of the part number changes with the model year, from M2DT-14290 on the 2021s through T2DT-14290 on the 2026s. If you ever buy a replacement harness from a parts counter, that’s the code to check. nhtsa
The fix and how to recognize trouble
The remedy is low-tech. Dealers will add convolute sheathing with abrasion tape to the harness, and there will be no charge for this service. Ford also says enhanced protective covering at the wiring harness was introduced into production. Manufacturer Information Population Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company +2
Ford’s owner recall page adds that the job must be done at an authorized Ford dealership and cannot be completed by Ford Mobile Service. It also says complimentary pickup and delivery may be offered at participating dealerships once parts are available. fordford
The warning signs matter most. Per the filing, a driver may notice smoke in their air vents or a cluster warning message prior to observing flames coming from the passenger side engine compartment area. If you smell smoke through the vents, pull over, shut it down, and get out. Don’t diagnose it on the shoulder. nhtsa
Practical takeaways for owners and buyers
Don’t DIY the split loom. It’s tempting, since it’s a $10 part. But a home repair won’t close the recall on your VIN, and Ford dealers can’t confirm the harness wasn’t already damaged underneath your handiwork.
Mention your modifications. If you’ve added auxiliary switch panels, light-bar wiring, or other underhood accessories, tell the technician. Extra wiring near the factory harness is the kind of detail that matters here.
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Know the reimbursement rules. Ford says it used general reimbursement plan on file, so keep receipts if you’ve already paid for related harness repairs. nhtsa
Used buyers, run the VIN. Ford’s dealer documentation notes that federal law requires dealers to complete this recall service before a new vehicle is delivered. That requirement covers new vehicles. A private-party used Bronco can change hands with the recall still open, so check the VIN before you hand over cash. nhtsa
On insurance, an engine fire generally falls under comprehensive coverage, not liability. If you’re carrying liability-only on a paid-off Bronco, this is a reasonable moment to reconsider.
The bottom line
This is a wide recall with a narrow failure rate, a cheap fix, and a clear warning sign. The real risk is owners ignoring the letter because “1%” sounds like someone else’s problem. Fifteen owners already found out it wasn’t.
Own a 2021 or newer Bronco? Did Ford or the dealer reach you first, or did you hear it from a headline like this one?