565K Ford Broncos Recalled: Engine Fire Risk & CA Lemon Law

Ford Motor Company has issued a major safety recall covering more than 565,000 Ford Bronco and Bronco Raptor vehicles from model years 2021 through 2026. The defect — a wiring harness in the engine compartment that can short circuit and ignite — puts drivers and passengers at serious risk of fire. If you own one of these vehicles and have experienced repeated trips to the dealership for electrical or fire-related concerns, California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act may give you the right to demand a full vehicle repurchase or replacement.

What the NHTSA Recall Covers

NHTSA recall campaign 26V468000, issued July 21, 2026, affects the following vehicles:

• 2021 Ford Bronco
• 2022 Ford Bronco
• 2023 Ford Bronco
• 2024 Ford Bronco
• 2025 Ford Bronco
• 2026 Ford Bronco

According to NHTSA, the engine compartment wiring harness in these vehicles may become damaged and short circuit. A short circuit in the engine compartment can generate heat or spark — creating a direct risk of fire. Ford’s internal reference number for this recall is 26S55.

With 565,691 potentially affected vehicles, this is one of the largest fire-related automotive recalls in recent memory. VINs covered by this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 23, 2026.

Ford’s Remedy

Authorized Ford dealerships will install protective sheathing over the affected wiring harness at no charge to owners. Ford expects to begin mailing owner notification letters on August 24, 2026. Owners who want to check their vehicle now or who have questions can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

While the free repair is a meaningful step, it does not erase the history of a defect that put your vehicle — and everyone in it — at risk. And for owners who have already been dealing with electrical problems, warning lights, or fire-related concerns that required multiple dealer visits, the recall remedy alone may not be enough.

Why a Fire Risk Is a Serious Safety Defect Under California Law

Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a defect does not need to result in an actual fire to be actionable. What matters is whether the defect substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle. A wiring harness defect that creates a documented risk of engine compartment fire clearly meets that threshold.

Federal regulators agree. NHTSA’s official consequence language states that a short circuit in the engine compartment increases the risk of fire — language that reflects a genuine and immediate danger, not a theoretical one.

For California Bronco owners who have experienced any of the following, this recall is particularly significant:

• Electrical warning lights or fault codes
• Burning smells from the engine compartment
• Unexplained power loss or electrical system failures
• Visible wiring damage identified during a dealer inspection
• Prior repair attempts for electrical issues that were not resolved

If your dealership has attempted to diagnose or repair these types of problems without success — or if you are on your second, third, or fourth visit for the same or related concern — Song-Beverly may already entitle you to relief.

California Ford Bronco Lemon Law: Your Rights Under Song-Beverly

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act is widely recognized as one of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country. Here is what it means for Ford Bronco owners dealing with this recall and any underlying defects.

What Song-Beverly Requires

Under Song-Beverly, if Ford cannot repair a defect that substantially impairs your vehicle’s use, value, or safety after a reasonable number of repair attempts, the manufacturer is legally obligated to either:

1. Repurchase your vehicle — returning the full purchase price (including taxes, registration, and finance charges), minus a mileage offset for use prior to the first repair attempt for the defect; or
2. Replace your vehicle — providing a comparable new vehicle at no cost to you.

You are entitled to choose between these remedies. Ford does not get to make that decision for you.

What Counts as a “Reasonable Number” of Repair Attempts?

California law does not require you to give the manufacturer unlimited chances to fix a dangerous defect. The Song-Beverly Act creates a legal presumption that a vehicle qualifies as a lemon if:

• The manufacturer or its authorized dealer has made two or more repair attempts for a defect that could cause death or serious bodily injury (a fire risk squarely qualifies), or
• The manufacturer or its authorized dealer has made four or more repair attempts for the same defect, or
• The vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days within the warranty period due to repair attempts.

This presumption applies during the warranty period and within 18 months or 18,000 miles from delivery, whichever comes first — though your rights may extend beyond this window depending on your specific circumstances.

Attorney Fees Are Paid by the Manufacturer

One of the most important features of Song-Beverly is that if you prevail, Ford — not you — pays your attorney fees and costs. This means qualified California Bronco owners can pursue lemon law claims without paying legal fees out of pocket. The law was designed this way deliberately, to remove financial barriers for consumers facing well-resourced automakers.

Willful Violations Can Mean Double the Civil Penalty

If Ford knew about this defect and refused to repurchase or replace your vehicle in bad faith, Song-Beverly authorizes courts to impose a civil penalty of up to two times the actual damages. This provision exists to deter manufacturers from stonewalling legitimate claims.

For context, the wiring harness issue has now been formally acknowledged in a national recall affecting over half a million vehicles — which means Ford cannot credibly claim ignorance of the defect.

How This Recall Intersects With Your Lemon Law Rights

A recall and a lemon law claim are legally distinct, but they can reinforce each other in important ways. For a deeper look at how the two overlap, see our guide on California Lemon Law vs. Recalls: When Vehicle Defects Overlap with Safety Issues.

Key points for Bronco owners:

• The recall does not waive your lemon law rights. Accepting the free repair does not prevent you from pursuing a Song-Beverly claim for prior repair history.
• Your repair records matter. Every dealer visit, every repair order, every date your vehicle was out of service is evidence. If you haven’t been keeping copies of your repair orders, start now.
• The statute of limitations applies. In California, lemon law claims generally must be filed within four years from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. Delay can cost you your rights.
• The recall does not reset the clock. If you have prior repair attempts for electrical defects, those visits count toward the reasonable-number-of-attempts threshold regardless of when the formal recall was announced.

For a comprehensive breakdown of how the Bronco’s history of recalls and reported defects affects California owners, visit our dedicated Ford Bronco Lemon Law Claims in California guide.

California Ford Bronco Lemon Law: What to Do Now

If you own a 2021–2026 Ford Bronco or Bronco Raptor and have experienced electrical problems, burning smells, fire-related concerns, or repeated dealer visits, here are the steps to take:

1. Check Your VIN

Visit NHTSA.gov and enter your Vehicle Identification Number to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in recall 26V468000.

2. Gather Your Repair Records

Collect every repair order, every service receipt, and any written communications with Ford or your dealership. These documents are the foundation of a Song-Beverly claim. Our guide on how to document your lemon law case walks you through exactly what to preserve.

3. Schedule the Recall Repair — But Note the Date and Outcome

You should have the recall repair performed to protect your safety. However, document the date your vehicle went in, how long it was out of service, and the dealership’s findings. This adds to your repair history.

4. Do Not Accept a Settlement Without Legal Review

Ford may proactively reach out with a goodwill offer. Before accepting anything, understand what your vehicle may actually be worth under Song-Beverly. Our California Lemon Law Buyback Calculator can help you understand the formula.

5. Speak With a California Lemon Law Attorney

Song-Beverly claims involve specific procedural requirements and deadlines. An experienced California lemon law attorney can evaluate your repair history, assess whether your Bronco qualifies, and represent you in pursuing a buyback or replacement — with Ford responsible for attorney fees if your claim succeeds.

The Bigger Picture for Bronco Owners

This is not the first recall to affect the Ford Bronco lineup. If you have been tracking the Bronco’s recall history, you may recall earlier actions covering roof panel detachment on 2021–2022 Broncos and a seat frame defect on 2024–2026 Ford Ranger and Bronco models. A pattern of recurring defects across multiple systems — especially when those defects affect safety — strengthens a Song-Beverly claim and may be relevant to the civil penalty analysis under California law.

For Bronco owners who feel like they have been chasing problems since the day they drove off the lot, that experience is exactly what Song-Beverly was designed to address.

Speak With a California Lemon Law Attorney Today

If your 2021–2026 Ford Bronco has been repaired — or unsuccessfully repaired — for electrical problems, fire-related concerns, or other defects, you may have a strong lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.

Contact Lion Lemon Law for a free case evaluation. Our attorneys represent California consumers exclusively under Song-Beverly, and if your claim succeeds, Ford pays the legal fees — not you. There is no cost and no obligation to reach out. Contact us today to tell us about your Bronco and find out where you stand.