2021 Ford Bronco Sport Problems

What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, its recalls, and what to check before you buy one.

Ford Bronco Sport, 2021 to 2024 model years
Photo: Cutlass, CC0
How the 2021 compares

One of the worst Bronco Sport years

Owners filed about 1.9 times as many complaints as a typical Bronco Sport year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 40,000 miles.

Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Bronco Sport years from 2021 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

Owners have filed 713 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (213, 30% of complaints), followed by the transmission and drivetrain and the engine and cooling. That is the most complaints of any Bronco Sport year from 2021 to 2024. It has 16 recalls.

Complaints713filed with NHTSA
Recalls16for this model year
Crashes1812 injuries reported
Fires17reported in complaints

3 of these complaints came from Utah owners.

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Most reported problems

Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport before you buy.

Electrical system

213 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
  • Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
  • Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 46,427, and at the time of the vehicle registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 74,310.Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 74,310 miles
I brought my car in for an emissions state inspection, I was than told the machine wouldn’t connect to my car and the reasoning being was that the gateway module needed to be reprogrammed. I was aware ford had this issue so I was prepared with paperwork from the customer satisfaction program that states any bronco manufactured at the…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Transmission and drivetrain

192 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
  • Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
  • Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
  • If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

I purchased a new 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, Model Outerbanks. The vehicle has had regular service at a Ford Dealership. In early October 2026 the Ford Dealership ran a diagnostic on the Bronco Sport and said the Rear Differential Unit (RDU) needed replaced. The estimated cost of the repair and parts was $4,000.00. The Ford warranty on the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The Bronco Sport was put into drive and would not go like normal, it slowly picked up speed, but every shift between gears was felt. The vehicle drove fine once it hit 55mph. Vehicle was shut off and then would not engage into drive. The drive icon was flashing. The dealer was able to confirm the problem. There were zero warning messages…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Engine and cooling

174 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 52,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
  • Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
  • Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
  • Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

Vehicle had rough idle. Loss power. Loss engine coolant and oil and started pouring large amounts of white smoke from exhaust.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Continue to have major safety concerns over this car. Had new issue of car not starting after refueling. Brought it in to dealership on Friday 9/25 and check engine light indicated EVAP problem code. Dealership at first refused to evaluate EVAP telling me was not related. Then then found a clogged hose but did not repair the EVAP and on…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Brakes and stability control

127 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 9,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
  • The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
  • Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

The front and rear brake system has repeatedly malfunctioned across at least 7 dealer visits since 2022 on my 2021 Ford Bronco Sport (VIN: [XXX] ). Brake squealing and grinding (particularly in reverse at low speeds) have persisted despite multiple repair attempts. Ford's own SSM 52515 acknowledges engineering was working on a fix and…Owner complaint, filed 2026
On November 11, 2025, my 2021 Ford Bronco Sport experienced a complete brake system failure while driving. The brake pedal suddenly became extremely hard, and there was no braking power at all. The vehicle had to be stopped using the parking brake. This same issue occurred previously in July 2025, when the brake vacuum booster failed and…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Fuel system

124 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
  • On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
  • Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle intermittently failed…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I have had issues dating back to when I first got the car with rough idling and it turning off while idling. Most recently about 2 weeks ago experienced inability to turn the car on after fueling with gas. Rough idling and turning off while idling were also associated with gas filling. I took this car to Ford dealership multiple times.…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Lights, wipers and visibility

36 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 33,000 miles. Parts named most: Windshield (6).

What to check before you buy

  • Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
  • Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions, cold condensation dripped onto the right leg and the floorboard smelled like rotting fish. The contact added that the condensation line should have leaked outside of the vehicle, not inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 63,450 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that after driving for two hours, the vehicle was parked, and the sunroof exploded without impact. There was an abnormally loud sound heard before the sunroof exploded. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 65,000 miles

Suspension

24 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
  • Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
  • Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for new tires. While the vehicle was being serviced, it was determined that the rear shocks were leaking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V025000…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that upon routine maintenance at the local dealer, it was noticed that the CV axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V074000 (Suspension) and Customer…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 73,000 miles

Driver assist systems

22 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 26,000 miles. Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (12), Warnings (5).

What to check before you buy

  • Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
  • Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
  • Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, an alarm was intermittently activated associated with the Forward Collision Avoidance system while there were no other vehicles nor objects nearby. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH during a rainstorm, the Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS) activated, after which the contact briefly lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle began to tailspin. The vehicle came to a complete stop after crashing into a barrier wall on the driver’s side.…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 27,000 miles

Steering

16 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
  • On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
  • A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at various speeds over puddles, the vehicle shuddered and made an abnormal sound. The contact stated that while the dealer was servicing the vehicle, the dealer informed the contact that the power steering gear was detaching. The dealer determined that the…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 77,000 miles
When turning at low speeds like a drive-thru or in a parking lot, the vehicle makes a skipping or grabbing sound and pulls/lurches slightly until the wheels are straightened. Recommended fix was replacing a front differential ventilation hose, which is not covered by bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranty, and not a guarantee to fix the…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Cruise control and acceleration

13 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
  • Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

Pre-Collision System warning activated unexpectedly. The vehicle then accelerated by itself unexpectedly and the accelerator/throttle was engaged by itself. Breaks were then hard to push and vertically impossible to slow down. At the time, there was no vehicle or obstruction immediately around the vehicle other than a possible box, or…Owner complaint, filed 2026
!!!ALWAYS GET A SECOND OPINION WITH "TRANSMISSION ISSUES"!!! I will NEVER get a Ford again! I'm updating my previous issue #11688946 I received my 2021 Ford Bronco Sport in early 2023. I noticed a shutter when accelerating from a stop, I took it to the dealership and had the 3rd fuel injector recall completed (still waiting for a remedy…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Air bags

8 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
  • Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, a warning light illuminated, indicating a rear seat belt monitoring fault. There was an audible alert. The orange SRS symbol was displayed. The contact stated that the failure was associated with Customer Satisfaction Program: 24N08…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 71,000 miles
The contact owned a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-40 MPH and pulling out from a side street, the contact did not notice an oncoming vehicle, which crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle, near the axle. The air bags failed to deploy. There was no warning light illuminated. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 65,000 miles

Seats and seat belts

8 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
  • Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

My passenger seat heater caught on fire, it was very scary but I was able to put it out with sugar after I pulled over and figured out where the smell was coming from. I took it to my dealer for an inspection but I feel as though they were just trying to cover their side of everything and said “the seat heater did not cause the fire…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact's daughter-in-law owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that the message "Rear belt monitor fault - Service Required' was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear-row seat belt harnesses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 44,000 miles

Body, doors and structure

8 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
  • Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
  • Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

Front Passenger consistently has standing water, soaking carpet and has caused deep molding needing to replace carpeting and crash pad. Vehicle issue confirmed by Ford Dealership; diagnostic test did not pick up on it. Lead to manufacturing installation concerns. Dealership has inspected. Reported the issue and proceedings at Ford…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while parked and opening the liftgate on the trunk of the vehicle, the ball that held the driver's side rear liftgate detached. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear driver's side liftgate and the…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 7,500 miles

Wheels and tires

5 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
  • Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
  • The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side rear wheel made a loud growling sound and lost traction. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, however; the vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact that the…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 22,000 miles
At 21,000 miles on Bronco I purchased as new, I received an alert on the dash for low pressure on all 4 tires. I stopped the car and all 4 have bulges in the same place. I called Continental and they set up a file #4143053155 and told me to take it to the dealer for inspection. I took it back to Van Horn In Lomira WI for that inspection…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Ford Bronco Sport complaints by year

Compare the 2021 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.

Compare with similar 2021 compact SUVs

Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.

CarVs. its other yearsRecallsMost reported
2021 Ford Bronco SportAmong the worst years16Electrical system
2021 Toyota RAV4About average1Air bags
2021 Honda CR-VOne of the better years4Steering
2021 Mazda CX-5About average0Engine and cooling
Compare side by side

2021 Ford Bronco Sport recalls

This is every recall issued for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.

Suspension Lower ball joint

May 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V340000
Risk
A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed.
Full recall summary

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.

Equipment Engine block heater

Oct 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V685000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Fuel system Fuel injection system

Jul 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V467000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Backup camera

Jun 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V442000
Risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle.
Fix
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge.
Full recall summary

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.

Transmission and drivetrain Control module

Mar 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V158000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Fuel system Fuel injection system

Mar 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V165000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Electrical system 12V / 24v / 48v battery

Jan 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V019000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Electrical system Body control module / bcm

Apr 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V267000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Fuel system Fuel injection system

Nov 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V859000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Engine and cooling Oil / lubrication

Mar 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V191000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Brakes Caliper

Nov 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V922000
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.
Full recall summary

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."

Windows, mirrors and wipers Sun / moon roof assembly

Oct 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V809000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Fuel system Control / drive module

Aug 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V625000
Risk
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge.
Full recall summary

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.

Suspension Control arm

Feb 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V074000
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.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles. These vehicles may have been produced with incorrect front lower control arms.

Suspension Rear

Feb 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V075000
Risk
Loose or missing bolts may affect the vehicle's handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear suspension bolts, and secure or replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles. The rear suspension subframe assembly may have loose or missing bolts.

Transmission and drivetrain Driveshaft

Jan 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V011000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

2021 Ford Bronco Sport questions

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?

The most reported problem areas on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport are the electrical system (213 complaints), the transmission and drivetrain (192 complaints) and the engine and cooling (174 complaints).

Is the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport a good year to buy?

One of the worst Bronco Sport years. Owners filed about 1.9 times as many complaints as a typical Bronco Sport year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 40,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Bronco Sport years from 2021 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport have?

NHTSA lists 16 recalls for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The most recent, from May 2026, covers the lower ball joint. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.

At what mileage do 2021 Ford Bronco Sport problems start?

Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 40,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 54,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.

Which Ford Bronco Sport years should I avoid?

The Bronco Sport years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.

Looking at a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?

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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.