2021 Ford Bronco Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Model data compiled from public NHTSA records; may be incomplete, inaccurate, or out of date. General information, not professional advice — see Terms.
One honest thing before you start
We're car-data nerds, not mechanics. This checklist is general information — not professional advice — built from real recall records and thousands of owner complaints to make you a sharper shopper. Think of it as triage, not a diagnosis.
Before any money moves, get an independent inspection from a qualified mechanic (typically $100–$250). Our data comes from public sources and may be incomplete, inaccurate, or out of date — no checklist catches everything.
So here's the deal: use this to decide whether a car is worth that inspection. You're evaluating and buying the car entirely at your own risk — we're not liable for anything this checklist misses, anything it gets wrong, or any loss resulting from your purchase decision. Fair?
Known issues for the 2021 Bronco
5
Engine complaints Red flag
Watch the temperature gauge and warning lights on a long test drive, and look for leaks under the engine. (69 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 69 NHTSA complaints
Electrical System complaints Red flag
Test all electronics — lights, windows, infotainment, and driver aids — and confirm no warning lights stay on. (29 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 29 NHTSA complaints
Suspension complaints Red flag
Listen for clunks over bumps and look for uneven tire wear. (24 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 24 NHTSA complaints
Back Over Prevention complaints Check
Test driver-assistance features on the drive and confirm no warning lights stay on. (23 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 23 NHTSA complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System complaints Red flag
Note any stalling, hesitation, or fuel smell on the test drive, and verify that open fuel-system recalls were completed. (22 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 22 NHTSA complaints
Verify on NHTSA → · How we get our data →
15 additional complaints were filed without a specific component.
Open recalls
20
Forward Collision Avoidance Red flag
A misaligned radar module may prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active.
Air Bags Red flag
Improper air bag deployment increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Latches/Locks/Linkages Red flag
A malfunctioning child safety lock increases the risk of injury to a child occupant.
Back Over Prevention Check
A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Air Bags Red flag
An improperly secured side impact sensor may cause the air bags to unintentionally deploy, or not to deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Back Over Prevention Check
A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat Belts Red flag
Difficulty accessing the seat belt latches may result in occupants not wearing their seat belts, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Back Over Prevention Check
Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine and Engine Cooling Red flag
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Suspension Check
An external reservoir that detaches from a vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Back Over Prevention Check
A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Back Over Prevention Check
A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seats Red flag
A seat with a dislodged bolt may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Back Over Prevention Check
A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Back Over Prevention Check
A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Power Train Check
Excessive wear of the transmission and transfer case splines may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure Check
A detached section of roof can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine Check
A short circuit in the engine compartment can create heat or spark, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 31-point checklist
31
0 / 31 checked · 0 red flags ·
Before you go
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Check the VIN history on EpicVIN
Check it on CarFax (we don't earn from this)
Get an OBD2 scanner DEMO
Paperwork & history
Exterior & wheels
Interior & electronics
Under the hood
Test drive (15+ min, city + highway)
This tells you whether the car deserves a pro inspection (typically $100–$250) — it's not the inspection.
2021 Bronco–specific issues
Your verdict
Keep inspecting — you're under halfway. The red-flag items matter most.
No red flags? Nice. A pro's eyes on it before your money moves is still the play.
Two red flags just saved you the inspection fee. Plenty more cars out there.
We may earn a commission — it keeps the checklist free.
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Bronco have?
NHTSA lists 20 recalls for the 2021 Bronco. The most serious involve Forward Collision Avoidance (21V982000) and Air Bags (21V770000). Ask the seller for proof each recall was completed.
What are the most common complaints about the 2021 Bronco?
The top complaint areas are Engine (69 complaints) and Electrical System (29 complaints), out of 229 total complaints.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Bronco?
Run through the full inspection checklist below, verify any open recalls were completed, and get an independent pre-purchase inspection. Pay special attention to Engine, which drew 69 complaints for this model-year.