Hard Top May Crack and Detach

Affected vehicles (1)

Component / system

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles. The 3-door and 5-door Molded-In-Color (MIC) hardtop roof panels may have been manufactured improperly, which can allow sections of the outer roof panel to separate and detach from the vehicle.

Risk / consequence

A detached section of roof can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the hard top as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed May 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S32. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 12, 2026.

Chronology of events

1. Jan 22, 2026

   On January 22, 2026, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) opened an investigation into National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) complaints related to cracking and delamination of 2021-2023 Model Year (MY) Bronco 3-door and 5- door Molded in Color hard tops.

2. February 2026

   In February 2026, Ford Engineering and Ford Supplier Technical Assistance (STA) reviewed supplier production data. Supplier records indicated process optimization occurred in September 2021 followed by equipment optimization in December 2021.

3. Feb 17, 2026

   On February 17, 2026, the Ford engineering team conducted vehicle testing to induce/accelerate delamination of the hardtop outer layer. A barrier was created between the outer layer of poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) and the polyurethane (PU) substrate to simulate delamination conditions observed in the field. Additionally, the team worked with the supplier to conduct thermal cycle testing in March and April 2026. The testing indicated that cracking can occur on the PMMA panel during thermal cycling if the area of delamination is large.

4. Apr 7, 2026

   On March 30-31, 2026, a customer clinic was conducted to inspect the hardtops of 2021-24MY Bronco vehicles. On April 7, 2026, further vehicle testing was conducted using a worst-case scenario for panel damage and cracking. Following a comprehensive review of investigation data, the CCRG determined that Bronco 3-door hard tops, produced prior to supplier equipment optimization in December 2021, may be subject to delamination which can progress to detachment of sections of the outer skin. Additional process improvements introduced in September 2021, corrected the issue for 5-door hard tops. As of March 19, 2026, Ford is aware of 25 warranty claims, two field reports, and two customer complaints in the United States, received from December 21, 2021 to December 15, 2025, describing conditions that may lead to or have resulted in roof outer skin detachment for vehicles produced in the affected period.

5. May 5, 2026

   On May 5, 2026, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action. Ford is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition.

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

May 12, 2026 - May 12, 2026 No Dealers

Owner notification

Nov 05, 2026 - Nov 05, 2026 Phased Recall