FORD Bronco Sport Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used FORD Bronco Sport options? We analyzed 6 model years (2021–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the FORD Bronco Sport has 1,300 owner complaints and 15 safety recalls across model years 2021–2026. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2021 drew the most complaints; 2026 drew the fewest.
- Make
- FORD
- Model
- Bronco Sport
- Model years analyzed
- 2021–2026 (6 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 1,300
- Safety recall campaigns
- 15
- Crash-related complaints
- 49
- Fire-related complaints
- 39
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2021 (671 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2026 (3 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
FORD Bronco Sport: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe FORD BRONCO SPORT has 1,300 NHTSA complaints and 15 recalls on record. 49 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 1,300 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 15 federal recall campaigns
- 49 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
15 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2021–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 1,300 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
1,300 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Oil pump solenoid has been replaced 3 times and the vehicle is under 100,000 miles. There is a low oil light illuminates on dash board in addition to acceleration lose and a white smoke coming from under the hood and the back end of the vehicle. The 6th or 7th time this happened the Bronco had to be towed. There were many more problems included in this tow, powertrain failure, engine misfire, loss of power, crackling, popping sound from under the hood.
I am reporting a safety concern involving the transmission in my 2022 Ford Bronco Sport equipped with the 1.5L engine and 8-speed automatic transmission (8F35). I purchased this vehicle new in May 2022 with approximately 6 miles on it. At approximately 83,000 miles, the vehicle displayed a “Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power” warning through FordPass. The notification stated that a transmission clutch had not applied within the expected amount of time and warned that I may experience limited functionality, including unavailable gears. I took the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealership, All Star Ford Denham Springs, for diagnosis. On August 4, 2026, the dealership informed me in writing that the vehicle has an internal transmission failure and metal in the transmission fluid. The technician determined that the transmission requires complete replacement. I was subsequently quoted approximately $13,000 for the repair. I am concerned that an internal transmission failure of this nature could result in reduced propulsion, unavailable gears, abnormal shifting, or loss of vehicle mobility, particularly if the failure occurs while the vehicle is being driven. Thus being it did fail in the middle of a highway with the gas pedal no longer working. The car was then towed to the dealership and would not even go into neutral to remove the car from the trailer I am requesting that NHTSA review this failure and determine whether similar transmission/clutch failures are occurring in other 2022 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with the 8F35 transmission and whether this represents a broader safety defect. Ford has previously issued Customer Satisfaction Program 22B38 involving certain 2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with the 8F35 transmission. That program described a manufacturing issue involving a transmission clutch component and a potential long-term durability concern. I understand that my vehicle has not been confirmed to be included in that program
I am reporting a safety concern involving the transmission in my 2022 Ford Bronco Sport equipped with the 1.5L engine and 8-speed automatic transmission (8F35). I purchased this vehicle new in May 2022 with approximately 6 miles on it. At approximately 83,000 miles, the vehicle displayed a “Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power” warning through FordPass. The notification stated that a transmission clutch had not applied within the expected amount of time and warned that I may experience limited functionality, including unavailable gears. I took the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealership, All Star Ford Denham Springs, for diagnosis. On August 4, 2026, the dealership informed me in writing that the vehicle has an internal transmission failure and metal in the transmission fluid. The technician determined that the transmission requires complete replacement. I was subsequently quoted approximately $13,000 for the repair. I am concerned that an internal transmission failure of this nature could result in reduced propulsion, unavailable gears, abnormal shifting, or loss of vehicle mobility. Which it did in the middle of a airline hwy in baton rouge, La I am requesting that NHTSA review this failure and determine whether similar transmission/clutch failures are occurring in other 2022 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with the 8F35 transmission and whether this represents a broader safety defect. Ford has previously issued Customer Satisfaction Program 22B38 involving certain 2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with the 8F35 transmission. That program described a manufacturing issue involving a transmission clutch component and a potential long-term durability concern. I understand that my vehicle has not been confirmed to be included in that program, and I am not claiming that it caused my failure. I am providing this information because of the similarity to the clutch-related warning and subsequent internal transmission failure diagnosed in my vehicle.
has been 1 year since recall was initiated for the fuel cap crack with no recourse. we do not feel safe waiting longer for this fix and would request compensation from ford to sell the car.
TRANSACTION FRAUD & SYSTEM BYPASS:The vehicle was purchased from an authorized franchise dealer in January 2026. Following an investigation, it was discovered that the dealership's finance desk executed a "split-paperwork" scheme to override an automated delivery compliance hold. The dealership utilized my actual 2.0L Badlands VIN on banking documents, but electronically transmitted a completely different, lower-trim 1.5L engine VIN to my insurer (USAA) to issue a clean delivery binder. This intentional data manipulation was used to knowingly bypass active safety recall alerts.SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:In March 2026, while traveling on [XXX], the front suspension suffered an unexplained, catastrophic failure, resulting in an immediate, total loss of steering control. The vehicle veered off the roadway and impacted a concrete barrier at high velocity. The mechanics of this failure exactly mirror the structural anomalies detailed in federal NHTSA Recall 26V340000 (Ford Recall 26S36) regarding lower control arm ball joint separation.CRITICAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE:During the high-velocity impact, the primary occupant safety restraint systems completely failed to perform. The driver’s side seatbelt failed to lock, and zero front or side airbags deployed. This total safety mechanism failure directly resulted in a severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and permanent new-onset seizures, confirmed via clinical EEG by the Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital and currently managed via Keppra 3x/day.FORENSIC EVIDENCE PRESERVATION:High-definition video evidence exists, captured 10 days prior to the crash, documenting the seatbelt retractor in a pre-existing state of mechanical failure (dangling/failing to recoil). The vehicle has undergone only minor exterior cosmetic repairs; the failed suspension components, broken seatbelt modules, and un-deployed airbag sensors remain fully intact and forensically preserved as physical evidence inside my garage for immediate federal safety ins INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
There have been no issues, however it has been a year with no parts available and this sounds like a major potential safety concern if it could start a fire.
Read 14 more owner reports
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the “Service Engine” warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced a rubber hose on the vehicle to prevent a fire. The dealer was contacted about the recall repair and confirmed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
I've had a Blindspot warning light alert, told by dealership this is an electrical issue, after a web search, I see this is a common and known issue for Ford, yet no recall has been issued. I also have another know, common powertrain issue with my rear differential. The vehicle makes noise when turning, unstable when driving. The vehicle is less than 5yrs old and under 60k miles. Both issues are safety issues and could cause an electrical fires or vehicle stalling. I am scheduled for a 2nd inspection on 7/31 and hopefully repair.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that exhaust fumes were entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the dealer had previously installed a fuel injector tube behind the front driver's side wheel. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Vehicle was parked in a parking lot. When starting the vehicle and trying to put it into reverse, it would not backup. Vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. The transmission had gears stripped and was due to a failure of the shift module of the vehicle. The vehicle had under 67,000 miles on it. There were no issues with the shift module or transmission up until this point.
Vehicle developed a hum when accelerating on July 5, 2026. Made an appointment with the dealership to have it diagnosed. They could not get me in until July 16, 2026. On July 15, 2026, the vehicle went into limp mode and had to be driven at an unsafe speed to the dealership to diagnose and repair the issue. There are 81,000 miles on the vehicle. The issue turned out to be a cracked catalytic converter. The catalytic converter had previous been replaced in August 2025 due to the same issue at 67,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer would notify vehicle owners whenever the part became available. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. While the contact’s daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud popping sound coming from the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. After parking the vehicle, the contact discovered that the vehicle failed to reverse. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission clutch had failed and there were metal fragments inside the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.
The catalyic converter is no longer working and showing check engine lights. There is no fix for this issue yet. I cannot get my registration which was due last month.
I have replaced the water pump THREE times on this Bronco Sport. It has been every 18 months or about every 20,000 miles. I made the report in March of 2025, never heard anything. Making another report now as it is currently in the shop getting the water pump replaced for the THIRD TIME!!!
The vehicle is only a 2022 and has a jerky acceleration during non-highway driving with RPMs fluctuating. The tire, cruise control and seatbelt indicator lights are illuminated with no resolvable issue (the dealer clears them out and they come back). There’s an audible muffler rattle that has been present for a long time that the dealer says is normal. When I fuel up the engine audible bogs down. On a recent road trip to New York the vehicle vapor locked at a gas station and had to be jumped. The vehicle has been nothing but recalls and issues
All my husband purchases is mainly Fords and he has for over 20 years. The last 3 Fords we have purchases from years 2019-2025 have had the same issues. My husband had a 2019 Ford Escape that broke down on us in the mountains. Had to have transmission replaced twice before 100,000 miles. Then he got a 2020 escape and same thing plus a motor replaced..now I have a 2022 bronco sport outer banks and they claim I need transmission replaced and rear end differential. I was quoted $15,000. That is almost as much as my car is worth. I am outside the "warranty" window. The dealership was rude about it because we didnt purchase our Ford with them directly stating they are loyal to their customers who purchase with them first. We have been loyal to ford for so long and now losing faith! I can in no way possible afford that much money! I bought it because I thought it was the safe option for my daughter and for me taking her to school. This car is not safe to drive at all! I had to drive it home from dealership because I cant afford to fix it and now I am without. How am I suppose to drive my kid to school in something that is shaking and grinding like that? This is not the first ford we have had to do it but we remain loyal!
It was Memorial Day and I was picking my bicycle up from my brother’s house. As I turned out onto the main road, my car stalled. Battery light on, auto start/stop blinking and car rattling. The car also gave me a note on the dash saying it needed to be in park. Took it to the dealer and they told me that a new transmission was required but haven’t been willing or able to give me the finer details of what is wrong with the transmission until they disassemble it. They wanted to make me pay $5 just for that and that is way out of budget for me. I come to find out recently that Ford is in the news again. This time for faulty transmissions and they seemed to care less to help me out financially. They know these transmissions are bad. I know that my car is not tied to the recall regarding transmissions in the 2018-21 Navigators, Expeditions or Explorers, but the dealer gave me an error code of P07E4 which sounds VERY SIMILAR to this issue with these 2018-21 cars referenced earlier. I feel lucky that i wasn’t on the highway or anything when this happened.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle made an abnormal chugging sound and was losing motive power. The contact had received four recall notification letters for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 47,700.
I am filing this complaint to report an unreasonable and hazardous delay by Ford Motor Company regarding safety recall 25S76 (NHTSA 25V467) for my 2022 Ford Bronco Sport (VIN: [XXX]). This recall involves a severe fire hazard where a cracked fuel injector can leak liquid fuel and vapor onto hot engine components, presenting an immediate risk of an under-hood fire and occupant injury.This recall has now been active for nearly a year, yet Ford’s official status for my vehicle remains "Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available." Sourcing a permanent physical repair has been excessively delayed. Because this defect is an ongoing, inherited engineering issue from previous failed recall remedies on this same engine family, I am being forced to drive a vehicle with a known, unaddressed fire risk due to the manufacturer's failure to supply parts in a reasonable timeframe. I request that NHTSA expedite its oversight of Ford's parts manufacturing and distribution timeline for this specific remedy. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Showing 20 of 1,300 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact FORD Bronco Sport
These pages show model-year patterns across 6 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used FORD Bronco Sport, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The FORD Bronco Sport has 1,300 complaints on record across 6 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The FORD Bronco Sport has 15 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 49 of the FORD Bronco Sport's 1,300 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all FORD Bronco Sport vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two FORD Bronco Sport vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The FORD Bronco Sport has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used FORD Bronco Sport.
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FORD Bronco Sport reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the FORD Bronco Sport reliable?
Poor. The FORD Bronco Sport has 1,300 NHTSA owner complaints and 15 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which FORD Bronco Sport years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2021 (671 complaints), 2023 (150 complaints), 2024 (99 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common FORD Bronco Sport problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (341 complaints); POWER TRAIN (277 complaints); ENGINE (276 complaints).
Does the FORD Bronco Sport have recalls?
Yes — 15 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the FORD Bronco Sport. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.