Five years after its much-hyped return, the Ford Bronco is once again making headlines for all the wrong reasons. An old hardtop headache has come back to haunt the Blue Oval, this time escalating to a formal safety recall.Early owners began spotting delamination and surface cracks on the panels of the modern Bronco's Molded-In-Color (MIC) hardtop roof almost immediately after the first examples of the retro-infused rugged SUV were delivered in early 2021. Ford initially treated the problem as largely cosmetic and replaced many roofs under warranty, but the automaker has now determined that sections of those panels on the original roofs can detach at highway speeds, potentially leading to serious injury. The Affected Vehicles Ford Motor CompanyAccording to the recall notice (NHTSA campaign number 26V299000), released May 12, 2026, a manufacturing issue with the original Webasto-supplied roofs can allow sections of the outer layer to separate and detach at higher speeds after exposure to harsh environmental conditions. Owners may first notice increased wind noise, visible cracking, or delamination.The remedy is straightforward: dealers will inspect the roof and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Ford plans to begin mailing notifications to affected owners on May 27. Owners can also contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or visit the automaker’s recall website for more details (link below). Just One More Entry In Ford’s Expanding Recall List Ford Motor CompanyThis latest Bronco roof recall will only add to Ford’s mounting woes. The automaker set an embarrassing industry record in 2025 by issuing 153 recalls affecting approximately 12.9 million vehicles. So far in 2026, Ford has already launched 36 recall campaigns impacting nearly 10 million vehicles.The Bronco itself has faced multiple actions this year, including a major seat frame pivot bolt recall affecting more than 62,000 units and earlier campaigns involving the infotainment system and rearview camera. Five years after its return, the Bronco’s persistent troubles serve as a stark reminder that Ford’s quality and reliability challenges are far from over.
