Recall 21V982 affects 839 2021 Ford Ranger and Bronco vehicles for a misaligned cruise-control radar module. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 839 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles because the cruise control radar module was misaligned during production. The defect can keep adaptive cruise control from holding a safe distance and can delay automatic emergency braking or prevent it from reacting, raising crash risk; Ford dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
On 2021 Ford Ranger and Bronco vehicles with Adaptive Cruise Control, the cruise control radar module watches the road ahead. It helps the vehicle judge the position of traffic in front of it for adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. The system depends on the radar module pointing at the correct target area.
On the recalled vehicles, the radar module was aligned incorrectly during production. Ford traced the issue to the wrong radar alignment software program, which placed the alignment target in the wrong position. That left the module aimed incorrectly, so the forward collision avoidance systems do not receive the road picture Ford intended.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not expect a special noise, light, or change in pedal feel to confirm this condition.
Who's affected?
This recall ties the Ranger and Bronco to the same cruise control module, with radar and automatic emergency braking named as the affected systems.
| 2021 Ford Ranger | Radar |
|---|---|
| 2021 Ford Ranger | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2021 Ford Bronco | Radar |
| 2021 Ford Bronco | Automatic emergency braking |
| Units affected | 839 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
A misaligned radar module can keep adaptive cruise control from maintaining a safe following distance. Automatic emergency braking can also react slowly or fail to react during a pre-collision assist braking event, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the repair soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Ford Ranger or Bronco is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free radar-module angle adjustment that corrects the adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking response.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V982 when you call.
- Avoid relying on adaptive cruise control or automatic emergency braking until the radar module is adjusted.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician adjusts the angle of the cruise control radar module so the system is aimed correctly. The recall repair is free, and Ford covers the service visit under the recall. Ford is not offering a separate reimbursement program for this campaign because the original warranty program provides a free repair for this concern. If you already have repair paperwork for the radar module alignment, ask the Ford service desk how the existing warranty coverage applies.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| December 16, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 16, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| December 16, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 21, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 7, 2022 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 7, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V982?
Recall 21V982 covers 839 2021 Ford Ranger and Bronco vehicles with a cruise control radar module that was misaligned during production. Ford dealers will adjust the radar module angle for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Ford Ranger or Bronco is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V982. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the cruise control radar module adjustment. Reference Ford recall number 21S52 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Ford dealers will adjust the angle of the cruise control radar module free of charge. Ford owner letters were mailed January 21, 2022.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced driver-assist performance when adaptive cruise control or automatic emergency braking is active. A misaligned radar module can prevent the vehicle from maintaining distance from traffic ahead, and automatic emergency braking can react slowly or fail to react, increasing crash risk.
What if I bought my Ford Ranger or Bronco used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2021 Ford Ranger or Bronco is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 21V982 or Ford number 21S52.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V982000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V982 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V982000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →