2021 Ford Bronco Sport: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Bronco Sport years.
704 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 16 recalls.
Should I buy one?The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has 704 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 16 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and power train.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Bronco Sport years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the Bronco Sport?
Across the 6 Bronco Sport model years we track, complaint volume runs from 158 (2023) to 704 (2021). With 704 complaints, the 2021 Bronco Sport sits above the model's median of 158.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 Bronco Sport
suspension:front:control arm
Campaign 21V074000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles. These vehicles may have been produced with incorrect front lower control arms.
suspension:rear
Campaign 21V075000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles. The rear suspension subframe assembly may have loose or missing bolts.
visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Campaign 21V809000Ford 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.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump:control/drive module
Campaign 21V625000Ford 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.
Show 12 more recalls
power train:driveline:driveshaft
Campaign 21V011000Ford 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.
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Campaign 21V922000Ford 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."
engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication
Campaign 22V191000Ford 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.
fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system
Campaign 22V859000Ford 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.
electrical system:body control module/bcm
Campaign 24V267000Ford 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.
electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery
Campaign 25V019000Ford 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.
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 25V158000Ford 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.
fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system
Campaign 25V165000Ford 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.
back over prevention:software
Campaign 25V442000Ford 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.
fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system
Campaign 25V467000Ford 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.
equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Campaign 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.
suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Campaign 26V340000Ford 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.
What owners say across generations
Mixed sentiment with a clear divide between appreciation for its capability, styling, and daily practicality, and significant concerns regarding long-term reliability and specific powertrain components.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Bronco Sport. See the full Bronco Sport owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Bronco Sport listings typically run $19,569–$28,500.
Other Bronco Sport model years
Compare every Bronco Sport year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Bronco Sport against its rivals
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