2021 Ford Bronco Sport Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 5 Bronco Sport years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport ranks worst among its 5 model years, with a complaint index of 100, 691 complaints, and 16 recalls including one do-not-drive suspension recall. NHTSA data shows electrical system issues as the top problem area at 31% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 691
- Recalls
- 16
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 18 / 17
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 23 city / 27 hwy
Top 2021 Ford Bronco Sport problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System211 (31%)
- Transmission & Powertrain181 (26%)
- Engine177 (26%)
- Brakes127 (18%)
- Fuel System119 (17%)
- Other99 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires27 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers25 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras19 (3%)
- Steering15 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden underhood fires starting near the front of the vehicle, sometimes while driving and sometimes shortly after parking.
- Brakes reportedly fail to engage or feel stiff at low speeds, including during reversing or slow turns, leading to collisions.
- Some owners describe the engine revving on its own while in park or reverse, resulting in unintended acceleration and crashes.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during side-impact or high-speed collisions despite significant vehicle damage.
- Electrical faults are described as flashing dashboard warning lights, failure to crank, and smoke or burning smells from under the hood.
2021 Ford Bronco Sport recalls
16 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V340000May 27, 2026Suspension, Wheels & Tires4,653 vehiclesDo Not Drive
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.
Risk: 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 25V685000Oct 10, 2025Other59,006 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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 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.
- NHTSA 25V467000Jul 11, 2025Fuel System694,271 vehicles
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.
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.
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.
2021 Ford Bronco Sport fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 24.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Bronco Sport years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Bronco Sport has the highest complaint index (100) of the 5 model years with data and ranks worst overall, with a verdict of Avoid.
- What problems does the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport have?
- NHTSA lists 691 complaints, with Electrical System issues making up 31% of them, followed by Transmission & Powertrain and Engine at 26% each, and Brakes at 18%.
- Does the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 16 recalls for the 2021 Bronco Sport, including one do-not-drive recall for front lower control arm ball joints that may have been incorrectly installed.
- How does the 2021 Bronco Sport compare to other years?
- The 2021 model has a complaint index of 100, higher than 2022 (75), 2023 (50), 2024 (25), and 2025 (0), making it the year with the most reported problems relative to other years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
- EPA rates the 2021 Bronco Sport at 24.5 mpg combined (23 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,650.