There are Ford Bronco owners who began to notice something strange long before the official recall appeared. Small cracks, more pronounced wind noises and creaks in the ceiling were some of the signs that ended up setting off alarms within the brand. Now, Ford confirmed a recall campaign involving more than 16,000 units of the SUV in the United States.

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The issue affects 2021 and 2022 Bronco models equipped with the molded-in-color hardtop.

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According to documentation filed with the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, known as NHTSA, certain parts could crack and begin to separate over time. In the most severe cases, fragments of the roof could detach while the vehicle is moving.

What caused the roof failure?

Ford explained that the problem appeared during the manufacturing process of the supplier in charge of producing the panels. Some parameters linked to equipment and interlayer adhesion were not adjusted correctly, which left certain parts more vulnerable to delamination.

With daily use, road vibrations and temperature changes, deterioration can progress to compromise the exterior structure of the hard top. Drivers could detect early signs such as visible cracks or increased aerodynamic noise inside the cabin.

The campaign was registered under Ford code 26S32 and as NHTSA 26V299.

The Broncos involved in the recall

The recall includes a total of 16,200 units in the United States. Of that figure, 15,045 correspond to the 2021 model Bronco and another 1,155 units to the 2022 model.

Ford specified that the recall affects both two-door and four-door versions produced between September 2020 and January 2022, depending on the configuration.

Of course, the problem only appears in vehicles equipped with the molded-in-color hardtop, so other variants are not part of this campaign.

The risk that worries the authorities

Beyond aesthetics, the defect represents a possible road safety problem. If parts of the roof come off while driving, these fragments could impact other vehicles or cause sudden maneuvers on the road.

For that reason, NHTSA considered that the situation warranted a formal recall and not just individual warranty repairs. To date, no accidents or injuries have been reported directly related to this failure, although Ford did acknowledge customer complaints and internal reports linked to the defect.

This will be the repair

The solution will be free for affected owners. Ford and Lincoln dealers have already been instructed to inspect roofs and replace damaged panels if cracks or signs of delamination are found.

Ford assured that the new parts were manufactured under corrected parameters to improve adhesion and reduce the possibility of the problem recurring. However, due to the volume of units involved, some customers may face wait times until sufficient components are available.

Check if your Bronco is affected

Owners can check if their SUV is part of the recall using the 17-character VIN number. That code appears at the base of the driver's side windshield and also on the label located on the door.

With the VIN, it is possible to check the status of the vehicle on the official Ford recall portal or on the NHTSA website. You can also call the Ford hotline at 1-866-436-7332 and mention the recall 26S32.

The brand began sending the first notifications between May 27 and 29, 2026. Later, customers will receive additional information about the final repair scheduled for November 2026.