2021 Ford Bronco Sport: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 622 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, transmission, and brakes. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021- Owner complaints
- 622
- Recalls
- 15
- Crashes reported
- 16
- 12 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2021 Ford Bronco Sport: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Bronco Sport is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 3-cyl | AWD | 26 mpg |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4WD | 23 mpg |
- The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Bronco Sport that averages well under the EPA 23 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Rear brake noise in reverse
10,000–46,000 miles
Leaking rear shock absorbers
16,000–50,000 miles
Rear differential failure
27,000–60,600 miles
Water pump leaks and failure
52,000–80,000 miles
Transmission failure
64,000–86,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical1473 crashes
Sudden loss of drive power and dead batteries dominate these reports. The car stalls in traffic or at lights, sometimes losing brakes and steering, and may not restart even with a jump. A separate pattern starts at the push button: lights flash, the starter cycles over and over, warnings scroll across the dash, and smoke pours from under the hood. Some fires start minutes after parking. New batteries and software updates do not always stop the stalling. Of 147 complaints, 6 involve fire and 3 involve crashes.
Transmission137No crashes
Transmission failure is the main problem. Shifts turn harsh or jerky, the transmission slips or shudders, drops into neutral with the engine racing, or stops moving forward or backward. Many failures land between about 64,000 and 86,000 miles, after the 60,000-mile powertrain warranty ends, and owners describe repair quotes from $8K to $13,000. Some report sudden loss of power at highway speed with a wrench light. Rear differential and axle failures cause binding and pounding noises in tight turns. Leaking water pumps often turn up during the same repairs.
Brakes932 crashes
Two problems dominate. The first is a loud foghorn-like groan or squeak from the rear brakes when braking in reverse, often starting between 10,000 and 46,000 miles. Dealers replace calipers, pins, and bushings or clean the brakes, and the noise usually comes back. The second is more serious: a brake pedal that turns hard with little or no stopping power, at startup or while moving. Two complaints involve crashes, one with an injury. Many other filings describe long waits for a brake recall part that dealers did not have.
Engine56No crashes
Sudden engine failure is the most serious pattern. The engine runs rough, stalls, and seizes, or dealers find coolant leaking into the cylinders or oil and replace the engine, often with no warning light beforehand. Failures show up both very early and just past 60,000 miles. Stalling at highway speed, turbocharger failures with oil leaks and smoke, heavy oil consumption, and repeat water pump leaks also come up. Two reports describe fires that start under the hood, including one right after the engine was shut off.
Water pump failure leads this group, mostly around 75,000 to 80,000 miles. Coolant runs low or empties, and in some cases warning lights come on and the vehicle stops on its own. Other reports describe turbocharger failure that limits speed, stalls traced to dead batteries, a strong fuel smell through the vents, and sputtering traced to fuel-system parts. Two complaints involve engine-compartment fires, one after an overheating message and one after a battery warning.
Fuel system461 crash
Most of these filings describe waiting for a fuel-system recall repair while dealers report the parts are unavailable, often before any failure occurs. When problems do appear, the check-engine light comes on and the engine shakes, hesitates, jerks, or stalls, sometimes right after refueling, and some owners notice a gasoline smell. Reported failure mileages run from about 39,000 to 85,000 miles. Two complaints describe fires starting at the front of the vehicle, one in a crash with serious injuries.
Suspension18No crashes
Leaking rear shock absorbers are the most common finding, often spotted during tire or maintenance service between about 16,000 and 50,000 miles. A second pattern involves the rear drive: screeching, grinding, or binding from the rear in turns, loose rear CV axles, and rear wheels that lock up or slide in sharp turns. Some owners report the rear differential seizing. Shaking during low-speed turns and loud rattling in reverse also appear. None of these complaints report a crash or fire.
Wipers and visibility13No crashes
Glass that cracks or shatters without impact is the main complaint. Windshields develop stress cracks from the lower edge while parked, sometimes again after replacement, and owners report replacement windshields on back order. Sunroofs and side windows burst with a loud bang, both at speed and parked; one shattered rear window left a child passenger with scratches. Other reports cover mirror housings melting in the sun, a moonroof that bends or lets in rain, washer fluid leaking from the front camera, and a liftgate glass lever that breaks off.
Airbags66 crashes
Failure to deploy in serious collisions is the central complaint. Reports describe high-speed side and front impacts where none or only some of the bags fire, with injuries including fractures and neck injuries. The opposite also appears: several bags deploying in a minor impact and totaling the vehicle. All 6 complaints involve crashes, with 9 injuries reported. Dealers and body shops could not explain why the bags did or did not deploy.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Bronco Sport owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
While at stop light, engine shut off (auto start-stop). Wouldn't restart, car would not move, automatically went into park, wouldn't go into neutral to be moved, and was stuck. Had to manually release the vehicle into neutral to be moved. Battery was completely dead, replacement solved the issue. Battery was less than 2 years old. Approx. 50k miles.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2024
The car has been dying repeatedly and then decides to work again, got a new battery and new alternator and it still died. Ford techs had it and drove it for 200 miles and couldn’t replicate the issue. Now less than a month after that the car is completely dead and won’t even start with a jump. We are towing it to ford.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2025
dragging, grinding, or rubbing noises from the rear of a 2021 Bronco Sport during low-speed turns are a known issue commonly associated with a faulty rear drive unit (RDU), often appearing around 40k-60k miles. This problem, sometimes described as a, shutter or chattering, is often tied to contaminated fluid caused by a defective or improperly designed vent hose that allows debris to enter the system.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2026
My wife's 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has had a complete transmission failure and the vehicle has less than 75,000 miles on it. We're told by Ford that the Powertrain warranty ends after 60,000 miles. This has been a disaster for us as we're paying a note on a vehicle that we cannot drive because it will cost $10-11K to repair. I've never owned a vehicle that has had so many problems in my life.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2025
When coming to a stop and pressing on the breaks it periodically will make s sound and then there is about a 2O SEC DELAY before coming to complete stop. If I am driving downhill the delay is longer. This scares my since I drive over 100 miles a day for work. I have reached out to FORD and the manufacture and they still do not have a fix to the issue.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2022
Upon starting the vehicle, brakes were extremely hard to press down and barely responded. A great deal of effort was needed to bring the car to a stop at below 5 miles an hour. If I had been driving instead of pulling out of a parking lot, this could have caused a significant accident.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2025
First time the engine lights came on and turned off the car could not restart, needed a new engine the first engine had 830 miles. Second time car stalled and the car would not start they replaced the engine again this time that engine had about 1,200 miles. Third time the car did the same thing with about 1,400 miles. All three times I was driving on Busy roads almost got hit all three times. Dealership did not give me any paperwork
Filed with NHTSA, January 2022
The water pump has been replaced twice already and the water pump needs to be replaced again at 105,000 miles. This will be the fourth water pump this vehicle has. The originally came with, two replacements, and now the one that it needs because it is leaking like the previous three. The turbo charger failed and was burning oil. That was replaced. A month later it is back at the dealership being replaced again
Filed with NHTSA, April 2025
How the 2021 compares with other Bronco Sport years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 has the most owner complaints of the 5 Bronco Sport years we cover, about 5.0 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical14722
- Transmission13719
- Brakes9311
- Engine5612
- Fuel system4621
- Suspension180
Where the 2021 fits in the Bronco Sport's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2021 is the first model year of the Bronco Sport's first generation (2021–2023). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Ford fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.
Ford updated the Bronco Sport for 2022, so a 2021 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2022 (not on a 2021)
- Included SiriusXM Satellite Radio as standard starting from this model year.
Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.
Recalls to confirm (15)
Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
25V685000EquipmentOct 2025
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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. 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 September 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.
25V467000Fuel systemJul 2025
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will update the engine control software. and replace the high pressure fuel rail assembly and the fuel injector ,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.
25V442000Backup cameraJun 2025
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
25V165000Fuel systemMar 2025
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
25V158000TransmissionMar 2025
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
25V019000ElectricalJan 2025
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
24V267000ElectricalApr 2024
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
22V859000Fuel systemNov 2022
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
22V191000EngineMar 2022
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.
Risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
21V922000BrakesNov 2021
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.".
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
21V809000Wipers and visibilityOct 2021
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.
Risk: A detached glass panel can become a road hazard, and increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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.
21V625000Fuel systemAug 2021
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.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
21V075000SuspensionFeb 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles. The rear suspension subframe assembly may have loose or missing bolts.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
21V074000SuspensionFeb 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles. These vehicles may have been produced with incorrect front lower control arms.
Risk: An incorrect lower control arm may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a rollover crash.
Fix: 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.
21V011000TransmissionJan 2021
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
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