WASHINGTON — Ford is recalling more than 16,000 Ford Bronco SUVs because there is a chance the cars may have faulty roofs where pieces could fly off into traffic while driving.
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The recall includes vehicles built between Sept. 23, 2020 and Jan. 13, 2022 for Broncos with a two-door body style and others built between Sept. 23, 2020 and Oct. 22, 2021 for four-door body styles.
According to documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall was issued over concerns that the MIC hard tops on the SUVs can crack and delaminate. The failure could cause pieces to fly off the outer shell of the roof while driving, potentially striking other vehicles.
Ford has recalled 15,045 from the 2021 model year and another 1,155 from the 2022 model year. In total, 16,200 cars were included in the recall, although the company only estimates 5% actually have defective roofs.
According to the recall report, the removable roofs for the affected cars were compromised during the production process by issues with third-party suppliers and their equipment parameters.
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“In severe cases, delamination can progress to detachment of sections of the outer skin while driving,” the recall notes.
Ford said as of March, the company was aware of 25 warranty claims, two field reports and a pair of customer complaints in the U.S. related to the cars. No injuries or accidents have been associated with this recall.
Customers may be able to tell if their car is affected by the production issue simply by looking at it. In some cases, it is possible to notice cracks or pieces missing from the outer shell, indicating that environmental damage has already compromised the roof. In some cases, drivers will be able to hear increased wind noises while driving because of a lack of roof covering.
Ford said it would replace the faulty hard tops free of charge. The company plans to mail out notification letters to affected Bronco owners by Nov. 5, 2026. Any driver who suspects their car may be included in the recall can check by calling an authorized dealer, searching their VIN on the NHTSA’s website or by calling Ford’s hotline at 1-866-436-7332.
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