Ford is recalling 565,691 Broncos and Bronco Raptors because exposed wiring in the engine bay can short out and spark a fire — with owner notification letters going out this week.

The recall, filed with NHTSA as campaign 26V468 (Ford’s internal number 26S55), covers model-year 2021-2026 Broncos built between September 23, 2020, and June 28, 2026. The root cause, per Ford’s own recall report: relative movement between the engine compartment wiring harness and surrounding components, combined with insufficient abrasion protection, can wear through the harness and expose live wires — creating intermittent shorts and arcing that “may create heat or spark, resulting in fire in the engine compartment area.”

Key Points

• 565,691 Broncos and Bronco Raptors affected, model years 2021-2026.
• Ford estimates only about 1% of recalled vehicles actually have the defect, according to the automaker’s statement carried by The Associated Press.
• 15 incidents have been documented industry-wide — including warranty claims, field reports, and legal claims — with no injuries reported, per NHTSA’s recall filing.
• Warning signs include smoke from air vents, an unexpected dashboard warning message, or visible smoke or flame from the passenger side of the engine bay.

What’s Affected

• 2021-2026 Ford Bronco (all body styles)
• 2021-2026 Ford Bronco Raptor
• Production window: September 23, 2020 through June 28, 2026

Dealer notification went out July 23, 2026, and Ford said owner letters began mailing August 24 and continue through August 28. VINs became searchable in NHTSA’s recall database on July 23. The fix itself is straightforward once scheduled: dealers will add convolute sheathing and abrasion tape around the engine compartment wiring harness at no charge, re-protecting the wires from the rubbing that caused the problem in the first place.

What Owners Should Do

• Watch for smoke, burning smells, or warning lights, and pull over and shut off the engine if any appear.
• Check VIN eligibility now at NHTSA’s recall site rather than waiting on the mail — letters are still going out through the end of August.
• Schedule the free wiring harness repair with a Ford dealer once notified; Ford says the job does not require extended downtime.
• Call Ford at 1-866-436-7332 or NHTSA’s hotline at 1-888-327-4236 with questions.

Ford has not reported any crashes or injuries tied to the defect, which puts this recall in the more routine category of wiring campaigns automakers issue every year — but the “engine bay fire” language and half-million-vehicle scope are still enough to warrant a same-week trip to check your VIN rather than letting the letter sit in a stack of mail.