California Lemon Law News + Info

2021 Ford Bronco Investigated For Fuel Pump Defect

Ford Bronco low pressure fuel pumps are under investigation after fuel pump failures caused a loss of motive power in 2021 Bronco SUVs with an inability to re-engage.

The Ford Bronco investigation affects an estimated 45,597 Bronco SUVs. According to NHTSA documents, federal authorities have received six consumer complaints regarding low pressure fuel pump failure in 2021 Ford Bronco SUVs without warning. Typically, these fuel pump failures resulted in a complete loss of power while driving. Bronco owners would be unable to restart the vehicles and often had to get the fuel pumps replaced.

Ford admitted that the same low-pressure fuel pump in the 2021 Bronco SUVs is also installed in other Ford and Lincoln models.

Ford Bronco Complaints

“Bronco lost power, crank no start, 24 miles from a maintained road. Left us stranded and required 5 Jeeps to recover the vehicle to pavement before having it towed to the dealer 172 miles away. Extremely dangerous situation to lose power descending a steep hill and leaving the vehicle stranded miles off road in 100+ degree weather. Low Fuel pressure DTC captured, possible loss of fuel pump, several similar reports on the issue . Currently at a dealership for diagnostic and warranty work.”

–NHTSA complaint 11602482, Incident Date: July 7, 2024.

“Week and a half ago the engine started idling real rough, sputtering, then drove about 100 yds. Engine conked out in the middle of the intersection and would not restart. Was dangerous because I had 3 grandchildren in the back seat. Because the engine wouldn’t start I had trouble trying to get it in neutral to push the vehicle to the side of the road. Had to walk grand kids back to their house. Got a AAA tow approximately 35 miles to Ford dealer where purchased. There were no warning messages prior to engine failure except the rough idle and sputtering Vehicle was diagnosed as a fuel pump failure, but the vehicle is still at the dealership over 10 days awaiting parts.” 

–NHTSA complaint 11588716, Incident Date: May 2, 2024

“I was out off-roading in the remote desert of Oregon for hours. I stopped with the engine on to hook up my air compressor to refill the air in them before returning to pavement. Truck idled until timeout time and started back up without problem. Drove less than a mile and Bronco started sputtering while attempting to move forward. Completed my turn onto the highway and realized there was a problem. Had barely enough time to get to the shoulder where the vehicle wouldn’t start again. Pulled negative battery cable to reset, no help. It was very clear there was a fuel delivery issue. Tank was full when I started my adventure and was still over half full when the fuel pump/module died. Luckily I just got back into cellular range and was able to call for a tow. I was on a blind corner as well. There really wasn’t much time to get the vehicle to safety thus this complaint. Ford replaced the fuel pump and module, with the same part numbers. There has since been a part modification. There are others who have had their fuel pumps fail.

–NHTSA complaint 11548096, Incident Date: April 29, 2023

“While sitting in the Bronco talking on the phone in a parking lot, it shuddered and then stopped. It could not be restarted. Had to have it towed to the dealership. Current diagnosis is that there is a faulty fuel pump.”

–NHTSA complaint 11531708, Incident Date: July 8, 2023

“On June 9, 2022, while traveling on an Interstate Highway at about 80 mph, the engine sputtered and died without any warning light activation. The vehicle failure caused an extremely unsafe condition which caused me to navigate without power, in moderate traffic, from the #1 lane, across the #2 lane and onto the shoulder. The failure caused me to perform this high risk maneuver in front of an approaching big rig traveling in the #2 lane. The vehicle was towed to the nearest Ford dealership where an inspection determined the fuel pump had failed. The fuel pump was replaced but the dealership did not know if the replacement had been redesigned to prevent such catastrophic failures in the future. The loss of power was sudden and immediate without any prior warning messages and/or warning lamp activation.”

–NHTSA complaint 11470405, Incident Date: June 9, 2022

“My car went from 50 mph to nothing. Lost power. Coasted to the side of the road, barely avoiding traffic. Dark road, the sheriff had to sit behind the car so I was not rear ended in pitch dark. It had to be towed to the dealer. One week later, the dealer was uncertain. Likely complete engine failure maybe fuel valve less than one year old. 11,000 miles” 

–NHTSA complaint 11485895, Incident Date: September 22, 2022

NHTSA investigations work.


Lemon Law Help by Knight Law Group is an automotive lemon law firm that exclusively practices in California. If you are a California resident who purchased or leased a defective vehicle from a licensed dealership in California, we may be able to help you get rid of your potential lemon and recover significant cash compensation. Model year restrictions apply: 2019–Present vehicle models only.

However, we cannot help those who reside outside of California or purchased their vehicle outside of California unless they are active duty members of the Armed Forces, nor will we be able to refer those to a lemon law firm in their states.

To learn more about the California Lemon Law and your legal rights, visit our guide on the California Lemon Law for more information.

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