Ford Bronco Sport years to avoid

How we rated the best and worst Ford Bronco Sport years

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has the most overall complaints, and CarComplaints also rates 2021 as the worst model year ranked on factors such as repair cost and average mileage when problems occur. That is the headline: the first generation's launch years are where the problems concentrate, and 2021 stands out as the single worst year on CarComplaints' PainRank, while NHTSA raw complaint volume also peaks in 2021 (and stays elevated through 2022).

Note that CarComplaints ranks the worst year using repair cost and mileage-at-failure, while NHTSA reports raw complaint counts - both metrics point to 2021 here, but they measure different things and do not always agree. Our years to avoid methodology weights complaint severity, recall burden, and mileage-at-failure together rather than relying on any single metric.

Data sources used in this guide: NHTSA complaints and recalls, CarComplaints PainRank, RepairPal reliability data, IIHS crashworthiness ratings, and owner feedback from the Bronco Sport community.

Every Ford Bronco Sport model year ranked

The Ford Bronco Sport, covering model years 2021 to 2026, has an average reliability score of 67/100. The table below shows how each model year fares individually - 2021 and 2022 are the clear outliers, while the newer years trend steadily better.

Most common Ford Bronco Sport problems

The single biggest documented failure across all Bronco Sport model years is the cracked 1.5L EcoBoost fuel injector, which created an underhood fire risk serious enough to generate multiple cascading recalls and a warranty extension. Beyond that, the most common issues driving complaint spikes are electrical faults (303 NHTSA complaints), engine problems (231 complaints), and transmission/drivetrain issues (222 complaints).

Cracked 1.5L EcoBoost fuel injector (underhood fire risk)

Ford issued a major safety recall (Ford recall 25S76, NHTSA ID 25V-467) for 2021-2024 Bronco Sport models with the 1.5L engine because the high-pressure direct fuel injectors could crack, allowing fuel to leak at a high rate into the engine bay, where raw fuel could contact hot surfaces like the exhaust manifold or turbocharger, creating a significant risk of an underhood fire.

This recall covers certain 858,000 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape models, expands and replaces previous recalls, and will include a new remedy currently under development; as an interim remedy, dealers update the engine control software, free of charge, to detect cracked injectors and mitigate the fire risk. Ford is aware of eight underhood fires related to injector cracking on 1.5-liter Escape and Bronco Sport vehicles, and is unaware of any injuries associated with these incidents.

Ford also extended the warranty on the fuel injectors for 15 years or 150,000 miles as part of a March 2023 customer satisfaction program, and the automaker will replace any defective injectors in this timeframe, free of charge. If you buy a 2021-2024 Bronco Sport with the 1.5L engine, confirm the interim recall fix has been completed via Ford's recall page for 25S76 and ask about warranty-extension status before signing.

Electrical system failures

The most commonly reported issue across all Bronco Sport model years is electrical faults, with 303 NHTSA complaints carrying a 1.3% crash-involvement rate. Symptoms range from the infotainment system locking up and interior accessories failing to turn off, to the charging system warning lamp illuminating while driving.

The most-reported problem category on CarComplaints is also the charging system, concentrated in the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. A related recall (NHTSA campaign 25V-019) covers 272,817 of the 2021-2023 Bronco Sports and 2022-2023 Mavericks for a 12-volt battery that may experience degradation and suddenly fail; dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the 12-volt battery, free of charge.

An earlier recall (NHTSA 24V-267) addressed a separate but related defect: the body and powertrain control modules could fail to detect a change in 12-volt battery state of charge, and an undetected low battery charge could result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Buyers shopping for a 2021-2023 car should verify both campaigns are completed.

Transmission and drivetrain concerns

The worst complaints on the 2021 Bronco Sport include transmission problems alongside electrical and AC/heater issues. Transmission and drivetrain complaints across the model line total 222 NHTSA filings, with a 1.8% crash-involvement rate - the highest of the three main complaint categories.

Owners on the Bronco Sport forums describe rough or delayed shifting, occasional shudder at low speeds, and in more severe cases, unexpected loss of drive power. The low transmission fluid symptoms - rough shifts, slipping, and a whine under load - overlap with early signs of the Bronco Sport's drivetrain complaints, so a fluid check is prudent on any used example. Repair costs for transmission work on this generation can run from roughly $249 to $4,000 depending on whether a software update or a hardware replacement is needed.

12-volt battery and stop-start system stalling

NHTSA recall 24V-267 addressed an issue where the system tasked with detecting if the 12-volt battery has enough charge to restart the engine wasn't calibrated correctly; if the 12-volt battery was failing, the stop-start system would still attempt to restart the engine but couldn't, and the issue could also cause the engine to stall at low speeds.

The dealer remedy is to recalibrate the body control module and powertrain control module, free of charge. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 24V-267 needed to have a new remedy completed under the follow-on 25V-019 campaign. Stalling at low speed on a vehicle that was supposedly already recalled and fixed is a red flag - ask the seller for documentation that both campaigns were serviced.

Rear brake noise and cooling system leaks

Among the most commonly reported Bronco Sport problems on RepairPal is persistent rear brake noise even after service, as well as coolant leaks at the front of the engine, which can lead to serious damage if left unaddressed. Brake noise after a recent service visit often points to glazed rotors or an improperly seated pad, but recurring squeaky brake pedal complaints on this model suggest the issue can be more persistent.

Cooling system leaks on the 1.5L EcoBoost are worth taking seriously given the engine's fire-risk history. A separate recall covers certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport vehicles for an engine block heater that may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in, creating an electrical short circuit that increases the risk of fire. If you live in a cold climate and intend to use a block heater, confirm that recall (Ford 25SA4) has been completed.

Control arm ball joint separation

NHTSA recall 26V-340 covers certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sports that could suffer a separation of the left lower control arm ball joint; since the ball joint holds the bottom of the steering knuckle, having it come loose means a floppy front wheel and likely a loss of control. An assembly line error led to the control arm retaining bolt not being secured correctly. This recall is the most recent major campaign and covers the full production run, so any used Bronco Sport you consider should be checked against NHTSA's VIN recall lookup for this specific campaign before purchase.

Which Ford Bronco Sport years should you avoid?

The Ford Bronco Sport years to avoid are 2021 and 2022. The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has the most overall complaints, and CarComplaints rates 2021 as the worst model year based on repair cost and average mileage at failure. On raw NHTSA complaint volume, the bottom line is also clear: avoid the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The 2022 adds a high recall count and elevated complaint volume to the same underlying defects, making it the second year to steer away from.

Worst Ford Bronco Sport years: 2021, 2022

1st-generation Ford Bronco Sport (2021-2022)

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has 780 problems and defects reported by owners on CarComplaints, with the worst complaints in the electrical, transmission, and AC/heater categories. That complaint count is the highest of any Bronco Sport year and reflects a launch-year vehicle that went to market with several unresolved engineering issues, including the fuel-injector defect that would eventually grow into a recall covering nearly 858,000 vehicles.

The 2022 Ford Bronco Sport has 323 problems and defects reported on CarComplaints, with the worst complaints in the engine, exhaust system, and fuel system categories. The 2022 also carries the fuel-injector fire-risk recall and was part of the early battery/stop-start recall campaigns. The first two years of the Ford Bronco Sport were plagued with complaints and recalls according to NHTSA, and Consumer Reports gave the 2021 model year one of the lowest reliability ratings it has assigned to a vehicle.

What are the best Ford Bronco Sport years to buy?

The best Ford Bronco Sport years to buy are 2024 and 2025. The 2024 model year is perhaps the best year to buy so far; other than the 2025 model, it had the fewest recalls and consumer complaints according to NHTSA.

Most reliable Ford Bronco Sport years: 2024, 2025

2024 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2024 Ford Bronco Sport has 103 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash-related, and 7 recall campaigns. That complaint count is a fraction of the 780 logged against the 2021, and many of the 2024's recalls are shared carry-over campaigns that are already remedied at most dealerships. The faulty injector design was taken out of production on February 8, 2024, and all 2025 models are factory-equipped with the updated injector design, so late-build 2024s and all 2025s do not carry the same fire risk. Confirm the build date on any 2024 you consider.

2025 Ford Bronco Sport

The best Ford Bronco Sport year by reliability score is 2025, rated good at 73/100; there are 6 recalls and just 14 owner complaints on file for this model year. The 2025 is not part of the major 1.5L fuel-injector recall, and the IIHS awarded the Bronco Sport a Top Safety Pick+ for the 2021-2026 model run - so the strong crash protection that earned that award applies to 2025 cars as well. NHTSA also gave the Bronco Sport an impressive 5-star overall safety rating.

Ford Bronco Sport pre-purchase checklist

Before buying any used Ford Bronco Sport, work through these model-specific checks:

• Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup. The Bronco Sport has accumulated multiple campaigns, and not all vehicles in a model year are affected - the VIN check tells you exactly which open campaigns apply to that specific car.
• Verify the fuel-injector recall (NHTSA 25V-467 / Ford 25S76) status. On any 2021-2024 car with the 1.5L EcoBoost, confirm the interim software remedy has been applied. Ask for dealer paperwork. A strong gasoline smell from the engine bay before purchase is a red flag.
• Check the battery and stop-start system on 2021-2023 cars. Test that the engine restarts cleanly after every stop-start cycle; hesitation or a stall points directly to the unresolved battery/BCM defect covered by recalls 24V-267 and 25V-019.
• Inspect the front lower control arm. Ask the seller to confirm recall 26V-340 (ball-joint separation) has been remedied - this applies to 2021-2026 vehicles and is a safety-critical fix.
• Check for brake noise and cooling system leaks. Test the brakes at low and high speeds; any persistent soft brake pedal sensation warrants a full brake inspection. Also look for coolant residue around the front of the engine and confirm the block heater recall (Ford 25SA4) has been completed if you buy in a cold climate.
• Confirm the fuel injector warranty extension. Ford extended fuel injector coverage to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the vehicle's warranty start date (whichever comes first) under Customer Satisfaction Program 22N18, which is associated with recall 22S73. Ask the selling dealer to look up the vehicle's warranty status so you know what coverage transfers to you.
• Request full service records. Early Bronco Sports are now in the 3-5 year age range where deferred maintenance on transmission fluid and coolant changes starts to matter; a clean record keeps you out of trouble the previous owner may have left behind.

Better alternatives to consider

If the Ford Bronco Sport years in your budget land on the avoid list, consider these alternatives instead:

• Jeep Renegade - a similar-sized off-road-flavored compact SUV with its own year-by-year reliability record that may better fit your budget window
• Kia Sportage - a well-regarded compact crossover with strong predicted reliability scores in recent model years and a lower average annual repair cost
• Subaru Forester - standard all-wheel drive on every trim, strong IIHS ratings, and a longer production run with a clearer pattern of reliable model years
• Ford Edge - a larger Ford crossover with a more established reliability history if you want to stay in the Ford family