Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Ford Bronco body problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
What stands out
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit paint wearing along on the top inner edge of the tailgate where the rear window weather strip contacts the tailgate. This may be due to the accumulation of dirt between the rear window seal and tailgate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This article supersedes TSB 24-2269 to add 2025 model year vehicles. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit the driver or passenger side upper rail front trim panel with a warped or misaligned appearance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This article supersedes TSB 23-2229 to update the labor times from M-time to M-Time with a limit. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model Statement may exhibit soft top exterior wear on the sides of the soft top material above the B-pillar. This may be due to contact and rubbing between the soft top frame and soft top material.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗S+A42:H67me of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit the hard top center panel's quarter turn latches come loose while driving.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2021 Bronco's roof and removable top systems are failing across multiple design points. The molded-in-color hardtop develops stress cracks above windows as early as 10,400 miles and can separate entirely at highway speeds—one owner reported a large section blowing off at 55 mph. Ford dealerships have confirmed they've replaced multiple hardtops for the same defect, yet some vehicles fail again shortly after warranty expires.
Soft top systems fail through plastic clips and tabs that break under wind load. At 38,000 to 48,000 miles, owners report rear panels loosening or detaching while driving, and one vehicle had the same clip failure repeated within a year of the first soft top replacement. The rear window depillar clip also fractures, causing windows to fall onto the roadway in traffic.
Water intrusion appears early—one owner reported leaking at the A-pillar into the door airbag cavity at just 600 miles during rain. The failure stems from a damaged clip or improper weathersealing that allows water to track into electrical and restraint systems.
Ford issued Technical Service Bulletins (23-2091, 23-2229) for soft top failures but denied coverage in multiple cases, referred owners to NHTSA, or cited parts unavailability as obstacles to repair.
Same Ford Bronco body reports on nearby years: 2022
Failure modes owners describe
MIC Hardtop Structural Cracking & Delamination
Molded-in-color composite roof panels develop embedded stress fractures and delamination under normal driving conditions. Cracks form above windows and can spread to large sections. Material separates from fiberglass substrate, risking detachment at highway speeds.
When: 10,400–25,000 miles; appears gradually or suddenly
Symptoms owners cite: Visible embedded cracks in roof panel above passenger-side window; Cracking spreads over time; Large sections blow off at highway speed (55–60 mph); Delamination of plastic overmold from fiberglass
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership confirmed multiple hardtop replacements for same defect. Parts availability delayed in some cases. No repairs completed in several narratives due to cost denial or parts shortage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford acknowledged delay in original delivery due to widespread MIC hardtop defects. Denied warranty coverage without inspection in one case. Referred owners to NHTSA Hotline. One undisclosed recall mentioned but not applied to affected VIN.
Soft Top Plastic Clips & Tabs Failure
Plastic retaining clips and tabs that secure side panels and rear panel to soft top structure fracture and break apart, allowing panels to loosen or detach. Failure occurs at relatively low mileage and repeated in the same vehicle.
When: 38,000–48,000 miles; some failures repeated within one year
Symptoms owners cite: Rear translucent panel loosens due to broken plastic tabs; Side panel panels detaching from soft top; Abnormal popping sound at 55 mph; Plastic clips fracture from wind force during highway driving
Codes mentioned: TSB 23-2091: Loose Exterior Fabric on Rear Window (Structure), TSB 23-2229: Soft Top Material Detachment
Repairs/costs cited: Soft top replacement required in multiple cases. One complete soft top replacement did not prevent recurrence of clip failure within one year. Parts availability was a constraint in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 23-2091 and TSB 23-2229 issued for this failure. Manufacturer offered no guarantee of repair cost assistance. Referred owners to NHTSA Hotline.
Rear Window Depillar Clip Fracture
Plastic clips securing the rear window (depillar clip) fracture under normal driving conditions, causing the rear window to detach and fall onto roadway.
When: 19,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear window clips fracture at 45 mph; Rear window detaches and falls onto roadway in traffic; No warning lights illuminate prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosed failure as depillar clip but part was not available at time of complaint. Repair not completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer confirmed part was not available. No TSB or recall referenced.
Water Intrusion at A-Pillar & Roof Seams
Water leaks into the vehicle at the A-pillar area, traveling along seams and interior passages into the door airbag cavity and roof structure. Root cause is damaged clip or improper seal allowing water to bypass weatherproofing.
When: 600 miles (early failure); occurs during rain
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaks at passenger-side A-pillar near airbag marking; Water accumulation in door airbag cavity when raining; Water travels through roof to passenger-side door airbag; No warning lights illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Initial dealer repair: additional sealant applied to A-pillar area. Owner reported repair inadequate. Parts ordered for proper repair but work not completed at time of complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and case opened. TSB recently issued for this failure but details not specified in narrative.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
water is leaking from the passenger side roof through the passenger side door airbag when it rains. The passenger side top door airbag is constantly getting wet from this leak as water passes through.
I am writing to report a serious safety issue with my 2021 Ford Bronco. While driving on the highway at approximately 55-60 mph in the early morning, I heard a loud noise and saw powder falling on me. Upon pulling over, I discovered that a large section of my hardtop had blown off. Specifically, the plastic part over the fiberglass detached. If there had been a car behind me, it would have…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated after the vehicle was parked in the rain, he noticed on the passenger’s side A-pillar, where the air bag marking was located that water was leaking into the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the cause was discovered as a clip was damaged allowing the water to get into the A-pillar. The…
Had body trouble with your 2021 Ford Bronco?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2021 Ford Bronco?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 34,545 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Ford/Bronco.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.