Your vehicle report

2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.

NHTSA data through October 2026View original NHTSA data Change vehicle

Your vehicle at a glance

Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.

Owner complaints
712
Received Apr 2021 to Oct 2026
Official recalls listed
16
Naming this model year; check your VIN for applicability
BrakeNews flagged problems
4
Statistical signals, not official defect findings or recalls

Owner reports

Most reported problems

  1. 1
    Brakes make grinding or squealing noise35 complaints · 4.9% of this vehicle’s complaints
  2. 2
    Ford Focus transmission clutch slips and hesitates31 complaints · 4.3% of this vehicle’s complaints
  3. 3
    Engine suddenly shuts off while driving29 complaints · 4.1% of this vehicle’s complaints
See all reported problems

Official NHTSA records

Recalls to check

  • Recall #26V340000Do not driveFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles. The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuckle.
  • Recall #25V685000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
View recall details

BrakeNews signals

Flagged complaint patterns

Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.

How flags are identified

Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 18 crashes, 17 fires, 12 people injured, 0 deaths.

Explore by system

Where do owners report problems?

Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.

Schematic car with five system shortcutsGeneric side view, with the front on the left. Numbered links explore engine, brakes, steering, electrical, and body complaints. Text controls below provide the same choices.12345FRONTSCHEMATIC VIEW

Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.

View selected problems

Showing all 20 listed problems by system.

Engine & powertrain

10 more problems

Brakes

Electrical & lights

Airbags, belts & seats

Steering, suspension & tires

Body, doors & glass

Driver assistance

No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.

Other

No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Complaints received about the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport
24
Show as a table
MonthComplaints
April 20215
May 20213
June 20210
July 20217
August 20216
September 20214
October 20210
November 20211
December 20214
January 202215
February 20224
March 20226
April 20223
May 20224
June 20223
July 20225
August 202210
September 20227
October 20224
November 20227
December 202210
January 202316
February 20236
March 202318
April 202310
May 20236
June 202311
July 202310
August 20238
September 202310
October 202313
November 20237
December 20235
January 20245
February 202411
March 20246
April 202414
May 202417
June 202413
July 202413
August 202422
September 202423
October 202416
November 202413
December 202415
January 202514
February 202524
March 202520
April 202522
May 202520
June 202511
July 202512
August 202515
September 202517
October 202520
November 202511
December 20257
January 202610
February 20265
March 202616
April 202615
May 20268
June 202620
July 20265
August 202610
September 202621
October 202613
Total712

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

ProblemComplaintsShareShare ratioStatus
Brakes make grinding or squealing noise354.9%7.5×BrakeNews flag · First signal: Mar 2022
Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 1.0%
Ford Focus transmission clutch slips and hesitates314.3%6.6×
Engine suddenly shuts off while driving294.1%1×NHTSA recall #21V625000
Transmission fails or loses power while driving283.9%3×BrakeNews flag · First signal: Jul 2025
Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 5.9%
Glass shatters or cracks without impact263.6%0.6×NHTSA recall #21V809000
Unintended acceleration despite braking263.6%1.3×
Vehicle catches fire from wiring212.9%2.2×NHTSA recall #25V685000
Battery drains and dies when parked212.9%2.9×NHTSA recall #24V267000, #25V019000, #25V158000
Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips202.8%1.3×
Suspension clunking or rattling noise over bumps172.4%3.9×NHTSA recall #21V075000
Head gasket leaks coolant into engine121.7%0.7×
Transmission will not engage reverse gear121.7%7×BrakeNews flag · First signal: Apr 2022
Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 1.7%
Fuel pump fails and engine stalls101.4%1.7×NHTSA recall #21V625000
Transmission shudders during acceleration at low speeds101.4%5.1×
Fuel tank or line leaks gasoline91.3%1.9×NHTSA recall #25V165000
Ford Escape engine overheats from coolant intrusion81.1%0.7×
Vehicle suddenly loses engine power at speed71.0%1.1×NHTSA recall #21V625000
Seat belt fails to latch or retract60.8%1.1×
Airbags fail to deploy in crashes60.8%–
Exhaust smell enters cabin during acceleration60.8%7.4×BrakeNews flag · First signal: May 2025
Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 4.0%

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

  • NHTSA recall #26V340000May 27, 20264,653 vehicles affected

    Do not drive: NHTSA advises this until the repair is done.

    suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles. The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuckle.

    A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and repair the front lower control arm ball joints as necessary, free of charge.Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S36. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 29, 2026.

  • NHTSA recall #25V685000October 10, 202559,006 vehicles affected

    equipment: electrical: engine block heater

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

    An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy

    Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

  • NHTSA recall #25V467000July 11, 2025694,271 vehicles affected

    fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy

    Dealers will update the engine control software. In addition, dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel rail assembly and fuel injectors, free of charge. As an interim repair, dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 29, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S76. This recall expands and replaces previous recall numbers 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165 will need to have the new final remedy performed once it is available.

  • NHTSA recall #25V442000June 27, 2025200,237 vehicles affected

    back over prevention: software

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

    A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

  • NHTSA recall #25V158000March 14, 202548,041 vehicles affected

    electrical system: body control module/bcm; power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-267. The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.

    An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will recalibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S26.

  • NHTSA recall #25V165000March 14, 202533,576 vehicles affected

    fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 22V-859 or 24V-187. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy

    Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S21.

  • NHTSA recall #25V019000January 17, 2025272,817 vehicles affected

    electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The 12-volt battery may experience degradation and suddenly fail.

    Battery failure can result in a loss of electrical accessories, including the hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the 12-volt battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S02. Vehicles in this recall were previously repaired under 24V-267 and will need to have the new remedy completed.

  • NHTSA recall #24V267000April 12, 2024456,565 vehicles affected

    electrical system: body control module/bcm; power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.

    An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will recalibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 4, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S24.

  • NHTSA recall #22V859000November 18, 2022521,746 vehicles affected

    fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy

    Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed January 9, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 1st Quarter of 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S73. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 22V-191. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-191 will need to have the new remedy performed.

  • NHTSA recall #22V191000March 25, 2022345,451 vehicles affected

    engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.

    An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy

    Dealers will inspect the oil separator for damage or oil leaks, and replace the oil separator and seals, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S21.

  • NHTSA recall #21V922000November 23, 2021114,666 vehicles affected

    service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles. The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

    During certain situations, the driver may have to apply more brake pedal force, and the distance required to stop the vehicle may be extended, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will replace the front brake pads, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C31.

  • NHTSA recall #21V809000October 15, 20211,036 vehicles affected

    visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles. The moonroof glass may not have been bonded correctly to the moonroof frame, which could result in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle.

    A detached glass panel can become a road hazard, and increase the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy

    Dealers will inspect the moonroof glass date code and replace the glass, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S46.

  • NHTSA recall #21V625000August 10, 202113,773 vehicles affected

    fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump: control/drive module

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles. The fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure which could result in an engine stall.

    An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. Interim notification letters (remedy not available) were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S38.

  • NHTSA recall #21V074000February 16, 2021106 vehicles affected

    suspension: front: control arm

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles. These vehicles may have been produced with incorrect front lower control arms.

    An incorrect lower control arm may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a rollover crash.

    Remedy

    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front lower control arms, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S03.

  • NHTSA recall #21V075000February 16, 20211,638 vehicles affected

    suspension: rear

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles. The rear suspension subframe assembly may have loose or missing bolts.

    Loose or missing bolts may affect the vehicle's handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash. It could also reduce the vehicle's performance in a rear impact crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy

    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear suspension bolts, and secure or replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S04.

  • NHTSA recall #21V011000January 15, 2021147 vehicles affected

    power train: driveline: driveshaft

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Edge, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles. An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.

    If the rear drive unit seizes, there may be a loss of drive and/or a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level. Axles found to have lubricant at the minimum level will be filled to the full level. Axles found to be below the minimum lubricant fill level will be replaced, free of charge. This recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S02.

Other model years

About this data

NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport.

Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.

Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN