Ford is recalling 565,691 Bronco and Bronco Raptor SUVs from model years 2021 through 2026 after engineers found that a wiring harness in the engine compartment can chafe, short out and, in rare cases, catch fire. Dealers are set to add protective sheathing to the affected wiring, and the company says drivers might first notice trouble as smoke from the vents, a dashboard warning, or flames emerging from the passenger side of the engine bay.
Ford logged the action as manufacturer campaign 26S55, and federal regulators recorded it under NHTSA campaign 26V468. The automaker told reporters the defect appears in about 1% of the recalled vehicles, according to reporting by the Associated Press. The company also said it is not aware of any crashes or injuries tied to the issue and that dealers will install new covers over the wiring free of charge.
How the defect shows up
A short circuit in the engine-bay wiring can generate enough heat or sparks to ignite nearby materials, according to federal safety filings highlighted by Reuters. Regulators say the earliest warning signs may be smoke in the HVAC vents or a message on the dash, potentially followed by visible flames near the passenger side of the engine compartment.
What owners should do
Owners can check whether their vehicle is included by entering their 17-digit VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup. Ford customer service is listed at 1-866-436-7332, and the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline is 1-888-327-4236, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. If you see smoke, a warning light or any sign of fire, officials recommend pulling over in a safe place, shutting off the engine and calling emergency services rather than trying to pop the hood and investigate yourself.
Another recall added to this year's list
This action follows other recent safety campaigns affecting Ford's Bronco family. Earlier this year, the company issued a do-not-drive advisory for thousands of Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles after regulators flagged a suspension defect, as reported in Hoodline. Owners and prospective buyers say they are watching recall notices closely as the automaker posts new campaigns.
Ford says dealers will perform the repair at no cost and that VINs involved in the campaign are searchable on NHTSA.gov. For additional context on the recall's scope and symptoms, see coverage from Autoblog.
