Recall 21V770 affects 553 2021 Ford Bronco SUVs for improper passenger air bag deployment. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 553 2021 Bronco vehicles because the passenger air bag vent can open too early during deployment, causing the air bag to deploy improperly. Improper deployment increases the risk of injury in a crash, and Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger airbag in the 2021 Ford Bronco is built into the front passenger side of the cabin. In a crash that meets the deployment threshold, the airbag inflates in a controlled shape to help protect the passenger and work with the seat belt. A vent in the airbag helps manage pressure as the bag fills and then cushions the occupant.
On affected Broncos, certain passenger airbags were folded incorrectly during supplier assembly. That extra fold was outside Ford's design intent. During deployment, the vent can open too early, before the small gas generator activates, so the airbag does not deploy in the intended way. In NHTSA campaign 21V770, Ford's testing analysis found a risk that the airbag would not meet required occupant crash protection criteria.
There is no warning sign before failure. The defect is inside the folded airbag module, so the vehicle can look and drive normally until a crash deployment occurs.
Who's affected?
| 2021 Ford Bronco | front air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 553 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2021 Ford Bronco is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Improper passenger air bag deployment increases the risk of injury during a crash. There is no warning sign before deployment, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the repair soon if it is. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Ford Bronco is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free passenger air bag replacement that fixes the improper deployment risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V770 and Ford recall 21C23 when you call.
- Follow Ford dealer guidance about passenger-seat use until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the passenger air bag covered by recall 21V770. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through Ford's original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because warranty coverage provides the free repair for this concern. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| October 1, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 5, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| October 5, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 15, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 1, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V770?
Recall 21V770 covers 553 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles with a passenger frontal air bag that can vent too early during deployment. That improper deployment can increase injury risk in a crash. Ford dealers will replace the passenger air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Ford Bronco is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Bronco is included in recall 21V770. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the passenger air bag replacement. Reference recall number 21V770 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will replace the passenger air bag free of charge. Use a franchised Ford dealer for the recall work.
Is it safe to drive my 2021 Ford Bronco before the repair?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety concern is that improper passenger air bag deployment increases injury risk during a crash. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free passenger air bag replacement with a Ford dealer.
When did Ford notify owners about recall 21V770?
Ford mailed an interim owner notice on November 24, 2021, and sent a second notice on July 8, 2022 after the remedy became available. If you never received a letter, check your VIN and call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V770000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V770 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V770000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →