According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ford recalled over 200,000 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles because the Instrument Panel Cluster may fail at startup.
If the IPC fails to show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, it will increase the risk of a crash. The recall affects certain 2025-2026 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles, according to the recall notice published by the NHTSA on November 14.
Ford mentioned that it is not aware of any accidents or injuries due to the issue. But according to the company data, 68% of vehicles affected in the recall had ignition cycle events during the time the problem happened.
To fix the issue, the automaker said the Instrument Panel Cluster will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Let’s dive deep into the complete story behind this Ford Bronco Instrument Panel recall.
How Many Ford Vehicles are Affected by the Recall?
According to the recall report, around 229,609 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles are affected by the recall. The car models include:
- Ford Bronco produced between May 31, 2024, and Nov 03, 2025: 101,002 vehicles
- Ford Bronco Sport produced between Mar 07, 2024, and Nov 03, 2025: 128,607 vehicles
If you want to learn about other major recalls affecting the Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles, check out these recall reports: Ford Bronco recalls and Ford Bronco Sport recalls.
What Caused the Ford Bronco Instrument Panel Recall?
According to the Safety Recall Report submitted on November 14, the issue stems from a software fault within the Instrument Panel Cluster. This software glitch can prevent the display from booting up properly when the vehicle is started.
As a result, the screen may remain blank and fail to show critical information, such as vehicle speed, warning lights, gear position, and other safety alerts.
Safety Risks of a Blank Instrument Panel Display
A blank instrument panel display means the driver loses access to the information, like fuel level, vehicle speed, engine temperature, and warning lights. It significantly increases the risk of an accident because the driver may not be receiving the critical information to operate the vehicle safely.
When Did Ford First Detect the Issue?
In September 2025, Ford first discovered the issue (Instrument Panel Cluster screen sometimes starting up blank) in some 2025–2026 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with SX2 Instrument Panel Clusters.
These vehicles were brought to the Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) for the inspection. From September through October 2025, Ford’s internal safety team reviewed the issue for compliance with the various FMVSSs attributed to the instrument cluster.
They checked whether the vehicles still met safety rules when they left the factory, and they did. The team also compared the issue with a previous recall (25S88 / 25V540) triggered by the same problem.
Even though the number of reported cases is low, the automaker’s connected vehicle data showed that 68% of the vehicles had ignition cycles that could trigger the issue.
However, Ford couldn’t find any reason why this new batch of cars should behave differently.
By November 7, 2025, the automaker received 12 warranty claims related to a blank Instrument Panel display issue. On the same day, Ford’s review committee finally decided to issue a recall.
Has Ford Reported any Accidents or Injuries Due to the Issue?
Fortunately, the automaker didn’t report any accidents or injuries due to the Instrument Panel display showing a black screen issue.
What is Ford Doing to Fix the Issue?
Ford Motor Company has asked the affected owners to take their vehicle to an authorized Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the IPC software updated. However, the remedy software will have the memory protection feature disabled.
Wrapping Up
While the Instrument Panel Display showing a blank screen issue has caused no reported accidents or injuries, the potential risks associated with it are serious enough for Ford to take quick action.
And the automaker has definitely taken quick action by rolling out a free dealer or OTA IPC software update. It shows Ford’s commitment to keep its customers informed and protected on the road.
If you own one of the Broncos affected in the recall, you should immediately take your vehicle to an authorized Ford dealer to have the software updated. You may also receive notification letters regarding further details by December 8, 2025.
You may also contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Ford Bronco Instrument Panel Recall About?
The recall addresses a software glitch in the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) that may cause the screen to stay blank at startup, preventing some critical information, like speed, warning lights, and gear position, from displaying.
2. Which Ford Vehicles are Affected by this Recall?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ford recalled 2025-2026 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles. Around 229,609 vehicles are affected in the recall.
3. Why is a Blank Instrument Panel Dangerous?
If the Instrument Panel Display goes blank, drivers lose visibility of critical information, such as vehicle speed, fuel level, warning lights, and other safety alerts, significantly increasing the risk of a crash.
4. Has Ford Reported Any Accidents or Injuries Related to this Issue?
Ford stated it is not aware of any accidents or injuries caused by the instrument cluster problem.
5. How Did Ford Discover the Issue?
Ford first noticed the problem in September 2025 when some vehicles showed blank screens at startup. Then the issue was reviewed by Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group from September to October 2025 before a recall was decided.
6. What is Causing the Instrument Panel to Go Blank?
A software error in the Instrument Panel Cluster prevents the display from booting correctly, leading to a blank screen.
7. What is Ford Doing to Fix the Issue?
Ford is updating the IPC software free of charge. Owners can visit an authorized Ford or Lincoln dealership or receive the fix through an over-the-air (OTA) update.
8. How Do I Know If My Bronco or Bronco Sport is Included in the Recall?
You can check your vehicle’s recall status by entering the VIN on the NHTSA recall page or by contacting a Ford dealership.
9. Can I Continue Driving My Vehicle Before the Fix?
You can continue driving your car, but with caution. Ford recommends getting the update as soon as possible for safety.
