Ford Bronco Recall Summary
- Who is affected: 2021 to 2026 Ford Bronco and Bronco Raptor owners
- What is the defect: The engine compartment wiring harness can rub against nearby components and wear through its insulation, creating a short circuit
- Recall size: 565,691 vehicles in the United States
- Fires or injuries reported: Ford identified 15 possible fire incidents linked to this defect, including seven in Bronco Raptor models. No crashes or injuries have been reported
- Fix status: A remedy is available now. Dealers can install protective sheathing and abrasion tape over the wiring at no cost. Owner notification letters are expected to begin mailing August 24, 2026
- Check your VIN: Search your VIN on NHTSA.gov | Think you may have a lemon law claim? Contact The Margarian Law Firm
- California owners: If your Bronco has had electrical issues, warning lights, or a burning smell your dealer could not resolve, contact The Margarian Law Firm for a free case evaluation
What triggered this recall?
Ford Motor Company is recalling every 2021 through 2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor built with the affected wiring configuration after confirming that the engine compartment wiring harness (the bundled set of wires and connectors that runs through the engine bay) can chafe against surrounding components. Once the insulation wears through, the exposed wiring can short circuit and create enough heat or spark to start a fire. According to NHTSA’s recall record for campaign 26V468, the recall covers 565,691 vehicles, Ford’s number for the campaign is 26S55.
Tech Times reported that Bronco Raptor models are more likely to experience this chafing than standard Broncos, because of the Raptor’s more aggressive suspension geometry and tighter underhood packaging. ABC News reported that Ford identified 15 possible fire incidents tied to the defect, seven of them in Bronco Raptors, though no crashes or injuries have been confirmed.
This is the second active safety recall affecting the Bronco lineup this summer. Ford separately recalled roughly 36,046 Bronco vehicles in June 2026 over fender flares that can detach at highway speed, a defect still awaiting its own final parts remedy. The two recalls involve different components and are tracked separately, but taken together they mean many Bronco owners now have two open safety campaigns on the same vehicle.
The fix for the wiring harness issue is a repair, not a full parts replacement: dealers install convolute sheathing and abrasion tape over the affected wiring, free of charge, and it’s available now. Owner notification letters are expected to begin mailing August 24, 2026.
Have you had electrical issues with your Ford Bronco that your dealer couldn’t resolve? The Margarian Law Firm can help you understand your options.
Sources: NHTSA | ABC News | Tech Times
Which vehicles are included in this recall?
- 2021 to 2026 Ford Bronco and Bronco Raptor: 565,691 units
- Total U.S. vehicles affected: 565,691
Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) for this campaign became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 23, 2026. Owners can check their specific VIN using NHTSA’s recall lookup tool. Owners may also contact Ford customer service directly at 1-866-436-7332 and reference Ford’s recall number, 26S55.
What should Ford Bronco owners do right now?
- Check your VIN using NHTSA’s recall search tool
- Contact your dealer to schedule the wiring repair. Because a remedy is already available, you do not need to wait for your notification letter to request it
- If you’ve had a prior recall repair for the Bronco fender flare issue, ask your dealer to check both open campaigns while your vehicle is in for service
- Document any symptoms in writing: dashboard warning lights, a burning smell, or any electrical malfunction
- Keep every service record and repair order related to your Bronco’s electrical system
For repair scheduling and recall status, contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. This contact is for repair tracking only. For questions about your legal rights, contact The Margarian Law Firm.
Could this recall affect your lemon law rights?
Not every recall directly supports a lemon law claim. It depends on the nature of the defect and what your repair history shows. This recall involves a genuine fire risk in the engine compartment, which directly affects vehicle safety. For California owners who experienced electrical symptoms, warning lights, or a burning smell and were unable to get a lasting fix from their dealer, even before this recall was announced, it may form the foundation of a lemon law claim. A manufacturer releasing a fix does not erase that earlier repair history.
Reach out to The Margarian Law Firm to discuss your specific situation.
Could your Bronco qualify? A quick self-check
- Have you taken your Bronco to the dealer two or more times for an electrical issue without a lasting fix?
- Has your vehicle been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days for this or a related issue?
- Have you experienced a burning smell, warning lights, or other electrical symptoms?
- Did your dealer acknowledge the problem but fail to resolve it?
- Is your Bronco still within Ford’s warranty period?
If you answered yes to any of the above, you may be entitled to compensation under California’s lemon law. Contact The Margarian Law Firm for a free case evaluation.
If your vehicle qualifies, California law requires the manufacturer to pay your attorney fees, meaning representation typically costs you nothing out of pocket.
What California’s lemon law actually covers
Get a free, honest case assessment
California Ford Bronco owner?
If you have experienced electrical problems, warning lights, or a burning smell in your Bronco and your dealer has not been able to fix it, or if you want to understand your rights and what you may be legally entitled to, The Margarian Law Firm can help.
Our firm practices exclusively in California automotive consumer law, including lemon law, dealer fraud, and automotive class actions. That exclusive focus means deeper case knowledge, greater litigation resources, and a track record built entirely on cases like yours. We stay closely attuned to how recalls affect consumers’ legal rights and have the resources to litigate, not just negotiate.
Frequently asked questions
1- Is my Ford Bronco included in this recall?
The recall covers 2021 to 2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor models with the affected wiring harness. You can check your specific VIN using NHTSA’s recall lookup tool, or contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 and reference recall number 26S55. If your Bronco is also part of the separate fender flare recall, The Margarian Law Firm can help you understand how both affect your situation.
2- Can I still drive my Bronco during this recall?
Ford has not issued a directive to stop driving affected vehicles, but the underlying defect is a fire risk. If you notice a burning smell, warning lights, or any electrical malfunction, contact your dealer promptly and consider having the vehicle inspected before continued use.
3- Does this recall mean my Bronco is a lemon?
Not automatically. A recall on its own doesn’t make a vehicle a lemon under California law. What matters is your specific repair history, including any prior visits for electrical issues. That history is what The Margarian Law Firm reviews when evaluating a case.
4- What is the engine fire risk exactly?
The wiring harness running through the engine compartment can chafe against nearby components and wear through its protective insulation. Once exposed, the wiring can short circuit and create enough heat or spark to start a fire.
5- When will the recall repair be available?
The repair, installing protective sheathing and abrasion tape over the wiring, is available now at Ford dealers. Formal owner notification letters are expected to begin mailing August 24, 2026, but you don’t need to wait for the letter to request the repair.
6- What if my Bronco was damaged or caught fire? Do I have a legal claim?
If your Bronco sustained fire or electrical damage, that may support a legal claim beyond a simple recall repair. Contact The Margarian Law Firm for a free case evaluation of your specific situation.
7- What if my dealer told me nothing was wrong before this recall?
If you raised an electrical concern with your dealer and were told nothing was wrong, or the fix didn’t last, that visit still counts as part of your repair history. Written service records from those visits can matter a great deal to a lemon law claim.
Standard Legal Disclaimer
The information in this post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is evaluated on its individual merits, and outcomes vary based on the manufacturer, the defect, repair history, and other factors. Attorney fees in qualifying lemon law cases are paid separately by the manufacturer upon a successful outcome under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Contacting The Margarian Law Firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Official sources and further reading
- NHTSA VIN check and recall search
- ABC News: “Ford recalls more than half a million Broncos due to engine fire risk”
- Tech Times: “Ford Bronco and Raptor Face Engine Fire Recall in 2026: Wiring Harness Flaw Linked to 15 Fires”