2021 Ford Bronco Sport Problems
Used FORD BRONCO SPORT shoppers should review this model-year complaint and recall record before making an offer. Based on 500 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Electrical Faults the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has 500 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Electrical Faults.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2021 Ford Bronco Sport Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2021 Ford Bronco Sport trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2021 Ford Bronco Sport Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
17.4% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
17.4% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has 500 owner complaints, 10 crash-related complaints, and 15 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Electrical Faults. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Ford
- Model
- Bronco Sport
- Model year
- 2021
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 500
- Crash-related complaints
- 10
- Safety recall campaigns
- 15
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 26
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 25 / 28
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2021 Ford Bronco Sport problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Transmission / Drivetrain, Engine Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
This FORD BRONCO SPORT year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection.
Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs.
May Suit
This year may suit buyers who prioritize complete maintenance records and pass a pre-purchase inspection.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers who want a lower-risk ownership profile may prefer comparing nearby model years before committing.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2021 Ford Bronco Sport
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the most frequently reported complaint components on this model year
- Confirm recall repairs were completed and documented
- Check for accident damage, title brands, and mileage inconsistencies on the exact VIN
Before You Close the Deal
- 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
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
The FORD BRONCO SPORT has 500 NHTSA complaints and 15 recalls on record. 10 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Recall context: 15 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase.
- 500 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 15 federal recall campaigns
- 10 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
Full breakdown
All 2021 Ford Bronco Sport complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 183 | 1 | 6 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 153 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 133 | 2 | 9 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 70 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Brake System | 70 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 39 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Fuel System | 37 | — | 2 | — | |
| Gasoline | 36 | — | 2 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 9 | 2 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 5 | 4 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Other/I Am Not Sure | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Diesel | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Defective Purge Valve. From my research this is a major issue with the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport
Water pump failure. From my research this is a major problem with the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport
The front and rear brake system has repeatedly malfunctioned across at least 7 dealer visits since 2022 on my 2021 Ford Bronco Sport (VIN: [XXX] ). Brake squealing and grinding (particularly in reverse at low speeds) have persisted despite multiple repair attempts. Ford's own SS…
Transmission went out at 100k
1. While driving my 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, Big Bend, the automatic transmission (Ford 8F35 8-speed automatic) experienced internal mechanical failure. The vehicle lost the ability to engage reverse gear and the check engine light illuminated. Ford authorized dealer Koons Woodbr…
Faulty valve inside of transmission caused transmission failure. Has been properly diagnosed by ford mechanic. Mechanic said it was nothing I’ve done to cause the problem, it was a faulty part.
I have 130,000 miles on my 2021 Ford Bronco sport. With no warning I'm unable to put vehicle in gear. I attempt to put the car into drive, then reverse and it will not go. The gear gets stuck in park, but unable to park, The car instructs me to intiated emergency park with many w…
In January of 2026, I took my 2021 Ford bronco sport Outer Banks to the dealership because my car had a wrench light come on and it went into limp mode. Supposedly it was fixed and now it is April 2026 and my car went into limp mode again, it would not shift in the park and would…
There has been a NHTSA recall for AWD module on 2021 and some newer Bronco sports. The letter in reference to this problem dates 4/9/2021 to include only certain VIN at the time based on manufacturing sites. I feel there has been an underestimation of vehicles/parts affected on …
Since purchasing the vehicle, I have had ongoing issues: a rattling noise when accelerating, a squeaking noise in reverse, and a fuel odor. The fuel injector recall (NHTSA 25V467) is still open, and Ford has not provided a remedy." Keep it simple and focused on the recurring nois…
Grinding noises started to occur coming from the back of my vehicle. This only occurs when turning the wheel and driving slowly. I took my vehicle to Ford to get it checked out and they stated that my rear axle differential needed to be replaced. I asked why does this need to be …
The rpm will shoot up to 6 without movement. It doesn’t want to stop or go and it says park is unavailable. There have been many recalls on this vehicle, this is a premature failure and a huge safety concern the resulted in my car being undrivable.
On December 13, 2025, we drove to Flagstaff, Arizona from Tucson, Arizona, where we live. As we came into town, the Bronco began to lurch and seemed to have difficulty shifting. I managed to make it to the Babbitt Ford service center’s parking lot, where it seized and died altoge…
Transmission failed - vehicle completely lost power alternating with shuddering and full stopping without braking at slower speeds. Vehicle revved at very high RPMs at low speed, and struggled to shift. Sometimes, when shifted into reverse, vehicle would unexpectedly roll forward…
I chose the engine and fuel questions as I believe these would be the issue. While driving on the I 10 east towards [XXX] there are areas on the freeway that you drive upward from a flat freeway service to (up hill). Today 04/22/2026, my bronco sport lost drive power from 65 m…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions, cold condensation dripped onto the right leg and the floorboard smelled like rotting fish. The contact added that the condensation line should have leaked outside of the vehicle…
I own a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Base (VIN: [XXX] ) equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine. I am experiencing a complete and repeated loss of engine coolant with no visible external leak. Upon inspection, air bubbles were observed rising through the coolant reservoir whe…
I brought my car in for an emissions state inspection, I was than told the machine wouldn’t connect to my car and the reasoning being was that the gateway module needed to be reprogrammed. I was aware ford had this issue so I was prepared with paperwork from the customer satisfac…
The listed safety recall was entered July 16, 2025. To date there is no remedy, parts not available. The Ford app shows no active recalls. I contacted Ford regarding this and they advised there was a temporary, interim fix available since August 2025 but no correspondence has e…
Vehicle stutters when accelerating under normal driving conditions, causing uneven acceleration which can be dangerous in a situation where I am merging into traffic or turning from a stop onto a roadway. I believe this may be connected to the fuel injector recall which has been …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport.
Safety recalls
2021 Ford Bronco Sport recalls
15 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. 15 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
SUSPENSION:REAR
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM
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
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2021 Ford Bronco Sport buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 500 owner complaints, 10 crash-related complaints, and 15 recall campaigns for this model year. This FORD BRONCO SPORT year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (183 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (153 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (133 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, NHTSA complaints include 10 crash-related reports and 11 fire reports out of 500 total complaints. 5 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport have any recalls?▾
Yes. 15 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. A major recall area is SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM. 15 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?▾
This FORD BRONCO SPORT year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Ford Bronco Sport reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.