2022 Ford Bronco Sport Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
75/100
#2 most-complained of 5 Bronco Sport years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2022 Ford Bronco Sport ranks 2nd worst of 5 model years, with a Complaint Index of 75 and 357 NHTSA complaints, 15 recalls, and 12 fire reports. Engine and fuel system problems dominate, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other Bronco Sport years.
- Complaints
- 357
- Recalls
- 15
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 13 / 12
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 23 city / 27 hwy
Top 2022 Ford Bronco Sport problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine93 (26%)
- Fuel System89 (25%)
- Electrical System75 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain66 (18%)
- Other56 (16%)
- Brakes50 (14%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras17 (5%)
- Steering13 (4%)
- Airbags9 (3%)
- Structure & Body9 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report engine compartment fires starting without warning, sometimes while the vehicle was parked or driven at low mileage.
- Fuel system complaints describe a gasoline odor combined with a burning plastic smell coming from the A/C vents, in some cases linked to a fire at the fuel filler compartment.
- Airbag complaints describe front airbags failing to deploy during low-speed and tree collisions, resulting in occupants being thrown into the steering wheel.
- Electrical system reports describe loud popping and clicking sounds from the engine compartment near the fuel tank tied to a 12-volt battery detection recall.
- One report describes sudden unintended acceleration while parking that ended in a collision with a building and driver injury.
2022 Ford Bronco Sport recalls
15 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.
2022 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.
2022 compared with other Bronco Sport years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport reliable?
- Compared to other Bronco Sport years, the 2022 model ranks 2nd worst of 5 with a Complaint Index of 75, 357 NHTSA complaints, and 15 recalls, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- What are the most common problems on the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport?
- NHTSA data shows Engine complaints lead at 26% share (93 complaints), followed by Fuel System at 25% (89 complaints) and Electrical System at 21% (75 complaints).
- Does the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport have fire risks?
- NHTSA lists 12 fire reports for the 2022 Bronco Sport, with the Engine and Fuel System areas each tied to 6 fires.
- How many recalls does the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport have?
- NHTSA lists 15 recalls for the 2022 Bronco Sport, including one do-not-drive recall covering the front lower control arm ball joints (campaign 26V340000).
- How does the 2022 Bronco Sport compare to other model years?
- The 2021 model has the worst Complaint Index at 100, while 2022 follows at 75. The 2023, 2024, and 2025 model years score progressively lower at 50, 25, and 0.