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Vehicle Stats/FORD/Bronco Sport Reliability
NHTSA Official DataUpdated Oct 2026Methodology

FORD Bronco Sport Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls β€” NHTSA data

Poor reliability signalOur verdict from 1,408 complaints and 66 recalls on NHTSA record

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.

1,408
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
66
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
55
Crash-Related
crash complaints
42
Fire-Related
fire complaints
50
Injuries Reported
across all years
6
Years Analyzed
2021–2026

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Found a FORD Bronco Sport? Check that exact car.

Model-year trends show patterns β€” 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
NMVTIS official data Instant results No signup for the preview
Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the FORD Bronco Sport has 1,408 owner complaints and 66 safety recalls across model years 2021–2026. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2021 drew the most complaints; 2026 drew the fewest.

FORD Bronco Sport β€” key reliability facts
Make
FORD
Model
Bronco Sport
Model years analyzed
2021–2026 (6 years)
Total NHTSA complaints
1,408
Safety recall campaigns
66
Crash-related complaints
55
Fire-related complaints
42
Worst model year (by complaints)
2021 (699 complaints)
Best model year (fewest complaints)
2026 (7 complaints)
Top reported issue area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Reliability signal
Poor
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Β· Data last refreshed Oct 4, 2026
This Bronco Sport has 66 open recall campaigns on record. Check whether yours is affected.Check my VIN free β†’

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 β€” lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.

Years to avoid
2021699 complaints2023158 complaints2024109 complaints

These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.

Best years to buy
20267 complaints2024109 complaints2023158 complaints

These years have the fewest owner complaints on record β€” lower risk starting points.

Looking at a 2021 FORD Bronco Sport? It logged the most NHTSA complaints of any model year β€” averages won't tell you whether this exact car is affected.Check this VIN free β†’

Crash test ratings

NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP 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.

20242024 Ford Bronco Sport SUV 4WD
Overall Safety
5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover Risk
4/5
How to read NCAP stars
5 stars β€” Excellent
4 stars β€” Good
3 stars β€” Average
2 stars β€” Below average
1 star β€” Poor

Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings

What the complaint data suggests

Poor
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

Data engine & NHTSA methodology by Eduard Batog, Co-founder & Data Engineer. How we calculate this.

The FORD BRONCO SPORT has 1,408 NHTSA complaints and 66 recalls on record. 55 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Key findings
  • 1,408 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 66 federal recall campaigns
  • 55 crash-related complaints on record
Top concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
Worst years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.

Best years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.

What to check before buying used
  • 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
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume β€” popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

Problems by model year (best vs. worst)

2021
699
2023
158
2024
109
2026
7

Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026

Safety recalls

NHTSA safety recalls

66 recalls found

Safety 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.

Safety recall

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

#25V467000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMNovember 7, 2025
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

#25V685000EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATEROctober 10, 2025
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM

#24V267000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCMDecember 4, 2024
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM

#24V267000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCMDecember 4, 2024
Safety recall

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

#24V594000VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTORSeptember 8, 2024
Safety recall

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

#24V187000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMAugust 3, 2024
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

#25V788000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

#26V201000AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

#26V239000EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Safety recall

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

#26V340000SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Safety recall

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

#26V548000ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
Safety recall

STRUCTURE:BODY

#26V550000STRUCTURE:BODY
Safety recall

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

#24V683000POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Safety recall

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

#25V158000POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Safety recall

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

#25V442000BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Safety recall

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

#26V340000SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Safety recall

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE

#22V686000EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE
Safety recall

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

#22V859000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
Safety recall

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

#23V021000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Safety recall

TIRES

#24V223000TIRES

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 1,408 NHTSA complaints β€” these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.

01
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM358 complaints
02
POWER TRAIN305 complaints
03
ENGINE305 complaints
04
SERVICE BRAKES201 complaints
05
UNKNOWN OR OTHER197 complaints
06
FUEL SYSTEM154 complaints
07
GASOLINE152 complaints
08
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM152 complaints

Owner complaints

NHTSA complaint reports

1,408 total

These 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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHERSep 2026

We were driving our 2026 Ford Bronco Sport (Badlands Edition) on [XXX] in the [XXX] area of [XXX]. The location was in town and the speed was 45 mph. The day was Friday, XXX, at 5:10pm, when the closed moonroof glass suddently, without any warning, completley exploded. The moonroof exploded upward and pieces of glass flew as it shattered completely. Fortunately, we had the fabric shade closed at the time so the glass did not hit my wife and I. If the shade had been open, I'm sure we would have received cuts, scapes, etc. and might have required a visit to a local hospital or doctor's office. The noise sounded like a gun shot or a blown tire and scared us both! We pulled into the first side street off [XXX] and got out to determine what happened. We would not have been able to continue driving without using duct tape to hold the broken pieces of glass in place and trying to minimize road noise. We ended up covering the shattered moonroof with duct tape to prevent forecasted rain into the vehicle. Since we were 3 hours away from home, and it was after normal business hours, we figured we would have to wait until Monday (XXX) to work with our local Ford dealership (Moffitt's Ford in [XXX]). We have taken the vehicle to Moffitt's Ford and they have confirmed it was an internal pressure explosion, which has been reported as a common problem across the country. They are in the process of ordering parts to repair the damaged moonroof. We will be turning in an insurance claim with our State Farm Insurance representative. The vehicle is brand new with only 4,500 miles. The moonroof should be covered by the manufacturer as a warranty replacement and a safety concern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGSep 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V548000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); 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 had not experienced a failure.

WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHERSep 2026

I was stranded on the side of the road due to a routine tire puncture on the morning of Sept. 5, 2026. I immediately called AAA for emergency roadside assistance. AAA explicitly informed me that their safety policy prevents them from plugging tires on the roadside, however they offered to change the flat out for my spare tire. When I went to the trunk to look for the spare tire, I discovered that there was no spare tire, wheel jack or lug wrench in the vehicle. The manufacturer had entirely omitted this essential safety equipment, replacing it with a chemical sealant and inflator kit. Realizing I was stranded in a dangerous area with zero physical means to replace the wheel left me immediately shocked, frightened and highly vulnerable on a busy road. The inadequacy of this setup was later validated by the dealership’s manager who admitted he suffered the exact same issue in a similar Ford vehicle and had to pay more than 500 out of pocket because the inflator kit failed him. He also informed me Ford is not the only company to implement this seriously flawed equipment elimination policy. Substituting liquid foam for a physical wheel assembly under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards is a critical public safety hazard that leaves motorists defenseless.

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHERAug 2026

2026 Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquatch edition with less than three-thousand miles that we purchased brand new had a major transmission failure and was rendered inoperable. The Bronco Sport transmission pan cracked and the gasket failed upon driving home from a routine, ten minute trip to the grocery store resulting in sudden loss of transmission fluid. The transmission fluid blew all over the engine compartment when this occurred The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership where it remains as of today (one week after the incident occurred). The issue has been confirmed by the Ford dealer. There were zero warning lamps or messages, but there was a smell of something burning. When the vehicle was parked, fluid poured out on the garage floor and continued to leak until it was put on a tow truck. We have a case number with Ford and are trying to see if there is an option for Ford to buy the vehicle back or to work with us on replacing it due to the incident and the vehicle being approximately two months old. Had we been driving at highway speed or were further from home, this could have resulted in an accident.

UNKNOWN OR OTHERAug 2026

Information panel warning lights on dash or wiring system short I was driving at a slow speed and without warning my hood flies up and shatters the windshield and truck flies open dropping all my luggage out

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINEJun 2026

2026 Bronco SportDescription Your vehicle may display a blank instrument panel cluster ipc screen upon startup. This may occur when the vehicle is restarted within a specific time interval after turning the vehicle off. Safety Risk A blank ipc screen will prevent the driver from seeing critical vehicle information such as the speedometer, warning lights, and warning messages. The inability to see this information increases the risk of a crash. Remedy Software is now available to repair your vehicle. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to update the instrument panel cluster free of charge. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service. NOTE: Recall incomplete Recall service not available right now. We have a remedy but parts are not available right now. We will inform you when the service is available. Or, you can contact your dealer.

Read 14 more owner reports
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEMay 2026

Adaptive +predictive cruise control malfunction causing 1) sudden vehicle acceleration and 2) Cruise on but disengaged suddenly engaged and set a higher speed than originally set. Merged into light traffic on 4 lane interstate, no other vehicles within 200yds or so. Turned on, then set cruise control at 70mph, about 10 seconds later I felt the car surge, I looked down, saw the cruise indicator now showed 80, tapped the brakes to disengage. About 2 miles later repeated the same but was watching and vehicle repeated same behavior, I turned the system off. About 2 miles later I repeated the same with the same result. Each time set to 70 and within 10-20 seconds vehicle accelerated to a self set higher speed - 80. Problem 2, a few miles later, after a merge onto another interstate the speed limit changed tried this again except this time, as a came out of the curve (doing about 45mph) I turned the cruise on, a few seconds later I look down and watch the cruise indicator turn from white (on but not engaged) to green (on and engaged) without touching the set button. On the return trip I duplicated the acceleration twice more. 4 days later dealership service called to confirm that they reproduced problem 1 and were in contact with the manufacturer for how to proceed. No warning lights or messages, dealership service stated no fault codes.

1 InjuryFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINESep 2026

The contact owns a 2024 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 after the vehicle was turned off, there was an abnormal humming sound coming from under the hood, with an abnormally strong fuel odor. The contact stated that the vehicle was garage-kept and that the fuel odor caused a slight lightheadedness. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

ENGINESep 2026

I own a 2024 Ford Bronco Sport equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine. On September 22, 2026, I remote-started the vehicle for approximately 10 minutes before leaving for work. The engine temperature reached its normal operating temperature, but the HVAC system produced no warm air even with the temperature set to 84Β°F/HI. I drove approximately 15 minutes to work and still had no heat. I subsequently inspected the coolant reservoir and found the coolant level to be extremely low. I added approximately one-half gallon of the correct 50/50 coolant. After adding the coolant, the vehicle produced hot air from the heater again during the drive home. After parking the vehicle, I checked the coolant reservoir again several hours later and found that the coolant level had dropped back to essentially empty. I did not observe any coolant on the ground or an obvious external leak. When I opened the coolant reservoir cap after the vehicle had been sitting for more than two hours, I heard pressure escaping from the system. The vehicle has not displayed an obvious overheating condition, and the temperature gauge has remained at its normal operating position. I have scheduled an appointment with a Ford dealer to diagnose the vehicle. I am reporting this because Ford has issued technical service bulletins concerning loss of engine coolant from a coolant-pump leak on 2021–2024 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. TSB 25-2063 superseded 25-2016, and a subsequent TSB, 25-2428, superseded 25-2063. These bulletins identify coolant-pump leakage and prescribe pressure testing, cooling-system flushing, and coolant-pump replacement when the condition is confirmed. I am concerned about the rapid loss of coolant and the possibility of engine damage or an overheating event if the condition is not detected.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINESep 2026

The contact owns a 2024 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 vehicle occasionally hesitated while accelerating. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINESep 2026

My bronco caught on fire while I was driving it down the road. It only had 40k miles on it.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAINSep 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost drive power and failed to accelerate properly. The App notified the driver of the powertrain failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with powertrain failure. The dealer replaced the knock sensor approximately 5 - 6 times but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer, Ed Morse Ford Sierra Vista (100 AZ-90, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635); to be diagnosed, and the knock sensor was replaced. The second dealer had also replaced the engine twice, but the failure reoccurred while driving approximately 70 MPH, and the vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a third dealer, Jim Click Ford (6244 E 22nd St Tuscan AZ 85711). The dealer diagnosed that the fuel system and computer calibration had not been completed and corrected the issue. The following day, the powertrain failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was towed back to the third dealer. The contact was informed that the knock sensors and the powertrain control module needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was still not running properly, and the dealer replaced the engine again. The vehicle was returned to the owner, and the powertrain failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken to the fourth dealer, Fairway Ford (2323 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC 29607), who replaced the same parts as the third dealer. However, shortly after retrieving the vehicle, the engine lost drive power again. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer then referred the contact to another dealer. After speaking with the manufacturer several times, the contact reached out to the dealer and was informed that the manufacturer instructed the dealer not to make any additional repairs to the vehicle even though the vehicle had an extended warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

POWER TRAIN,TIRESSep 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while visiting Florida, the vehicle developed a flat tire. The contact stated that one month later the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the differential was damaged after the dealer had installed an incompatible tire on the vehicle. The dealer confirmed that the failure was caused by the mismatched tire installed on the vehicle. The contact was informed that all four tires needed to be replaced and the differential also needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The differential failure was addressed; however, the tires were not replaced because the contact stated that the mismatched tire installation was a dealer error.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINEAug 2026

Unresolved/unrepairable safety recall Engine RPM's revving abnormally high without corresponding acceleration; extremely slow and delayed acceleration. Sudden and unexpected jolts or surge of power following periods of inadequate acceleration. Significant difficulty safely accelerating and merging onto a freeway. Loss or lack of expected power when accelerating. Rattling and vibrating at the front of the vehicle when it is hot outside or car is hot. Inaccurate fuel gauge at times when hot All concerns above have been discussed and worked on by Walnut Creek Ford Service Center, California. I was told that the recall remedy is not ready, to drive the car in Sport Mode and that they lowered power in the fuel area. The safety recall concerns me due to the risk of fire and the lack of acceleration is definitely a hazard on the road. There were no warning lights, only the feel of the loss of acceleration. Copies of all documents and service records have been sent for a formal complaint to the NHTSA. They will not be uploaded to this complaint.

POWER TRAINAug 2026

I am experiencing severe drivetrain binding and violent shuddering/chatter from the Rear Drive Unit (RDU) during low-speed turns in both directions. The vehicle hesitates and can stop violently on its own while turning. When the vehicle is parked and shut off, it also violently jerks backward, indicating the RDU is binding and storing mechanical tension. This is a significant safety hazard. The symptoms match the current Ford Technical Service Bulletin TSB 26-2328 (Chatter/Shudder During Low Speed Turning Events), which supersedes earlier bulletins including 26-2194 and 25-2351. I first reported the RDU issue along with a rear brake noise at the dealership and provided the relevant TSB numbers. The dealership stated the RDU was fine, performed only the brake TSB, and attributed the shudder to the brakes. After the vehicle was released, the RDU symptoms returned approximately 100 times worse within two days. On the return visit the dealership said they could not reproduce the concern and initially documented it as β€œjust a noise.” I have repeatedly asked Ford (case management and Business Operations) whether the vehicle is considered safe to drive or sell in its current condition. I have not received a clear written answer. The original dealership has also refused to give a direct safety answer. I am requesting that this safety-related RDU condition be properly investigated and repaired.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMAug 2026

I purchased a new 2024 Ford Bronco Sport on XXX from Sayville Ford in [XXX]. They failed to disclose an unremedied safety recall (24V-267) on the vehicle that was issued on XXX and still sold me the vehicle. When I went back to them after seeing that there was a recall on the car, they denied the existence of the recall despite me showing them the recall notice on both the NHTSA and Ford websites. Last year there was another safety recall for leaking fuel injectors (25V-467) that I brought my car in for service, and they claimed to have done a software fix. Upon checking the recall checked on the NHTSA website (6 months after service) it lists that the safety recall work was never performed, despite the dealership keeping my car for the entire day and telling me the work was performed. This dealership has been evasive and deceptive when I have confronted them about these issues and should be examined and fined for their practices. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

STRUCTUREAug 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hood independently unlatched and flew open. The front windshield was cracked, and other damage to the vehicle was sustained. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with similar vehicles. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that an inspector had inspected the vehicle. The contact was informed that the failure was not a manufacturer defect and the case was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHERAug 2026

I am reporting ongoing infotainment and electrical failures in two 2024 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles (same trim), unresolved after two years of ownership on both. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto frequently freezes, disconnects, or becomes unresponsive while driving, forcing the driver to interact with the screen to restore functionality β€” a distraction hazard that can cause loss of navigation or hands-free operation while driving, increasing collision risk. Recovery often requires powering the vehicle off for several minutes. The center display screen also becomes hot to the touch during normal use, and the wireless charging pad overheats connected phones after 10–30 minutes, suggesting a hardware thermal design defect, not a software/app compatibility issue. Both vehicles have been to the dealership multiple times; only brief diagnostic scans were performed, with no reproduction of the overheating and no repair. Staff repeatedly claim they are "waiting on an iOS update," which does not explain hardware symptoms like screen heat or the multi-minute power-cycle required. Ford's 2025–2026 Bronco Sport received major hardware/software upgrades (larger screens, updated SYNC, standard wireless CarPlay), consistent with a redesign β€” leaving 2024-and-earlier owners stuck with hardware Ford has since replaced, with no recall or retrofit offered. Separately, Ford's July 2025 recall (25S76) for cracked fuel injectors/underhood fire risk on 2021–2024 Bronco Sport has only received an interim software alert update; the permanent hardware fix remains incomplete. This pattern of infotainment instability, overheating, and an unresolved fire-risk recall reflects unaddressed hardware/design defects warranting investigation.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMAug 2026

On August 10, 2026, I conducted a recall search on NHTSA website for my 2024 Bronco Sport Big Bend edition. The search showed the following recall : JUL 16, 2025 Manufacturer Recall Number 25S76 NHTSA Recall Number 25V467 Recall Status Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary ON YOUR VEHICLE THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A FUEL INJECTOR MAY CRACK, WHICH MAY RESULT IN FUEL ACCUMULATING ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. Safety Risk LIQUID FUEL AND OR FUEL VAPOR THAT ACCUMULATES NEAR A HOT SURFACE, SUCH AS HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST COMPONENTS MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. Remedy PARTS ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS WORKING TO PROVIDE PARTS FOR THIS REPAIR. WHEN THE REMEDY BECOMES AVAILABLE, FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOTIFY YOU VIA MAIL TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR DEALER FOR REPAIRS TO BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. Ford Motor Company has had more than a year to identify and implement a solution to address the above-mentioned recall. As a Ford consumer, I believe this issue should have been treated as a higher priority, particularly given the amount of time that has passed since the original recall was issued. I understand that developing a safe and effective solution can take time; however, waiting more than a year without a resolution is unacceptable. As a consumer, I expect Ford Motor Company to take this matter seriously and provide a timely solution to affected customers.

FireUNKNOWN OR OTHERAug 2026

My car began experiencing overheating and kept disabling 4WD while I was driving, smoke began to come out of the front hood and tailpipe. Took to repair shop and they stated my transfer case and harness was burned completely with unknown reason why this could occur. I see there is a recall for other bronco models for the same exact issue

Showing 20 of 1,408 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 β€” here’s what each number actually tells you about a used FORD Bronco Sport, in plain English.

01

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 β€” but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The FORD Bronco Sport has 1,408 complaints on record across 6 model years.

02

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 66 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

03

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 55 of the FORD Bronco Sport's 1,408 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions β€” a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

04

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.

05

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 β€” simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

06

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all FORD Bronco Sport vehicles on the road β€” 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.

07

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 β€” 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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How does the FORD Bronco Sport stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.

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By state

Check a FORD Bronco Sport by state

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 β€” frequently asked questions

Is the FORD Bronco Sport reliable?

Poor. The FORD Bronco Sport has 1,408 NHTSA owner complaints and 66 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 (699 complaints), 2023 (158 complaints), 2024 (109 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 (358 complaints); POWER TRAIN (305 complaints); ENGINE (305 complaints).

Does the FORD Bronco Sport have recalls?

Yes β€” 66 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.

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