2021 Ford BRONCO SPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
684 owner complaints analyzed
16 distinct recall campaigns
39,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 194 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 199 of 684 complaints (29.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 155 | 22.7% |
| Braking behavior | 140 | 20.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 95 | 13.9% |
| Engine operation | 65 | 9.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 31 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 24 | 3.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 199 |
| Power Train | 171 |
| Engine | 144 |
| Service Brakes | 101 |
| Unknown Or Other | 96 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 59 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 53 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 25 |
Electrical System: 199; Power Train: 171; Engine: 144; Service Brakes: 101; Unknown Or Other: 96; Fuel/Propulsion System: 59; Fuel System, Gasoline: 53; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 25
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 63 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 57 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 38 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 24 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 63; 25,000 to 49,999: 57; 50,000 to 74,999: 38; 75,000 to 99,999: 24; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (63). 490 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 30 |
| 2022 | 78 |
| 2023 | 120 |
| 2024 | 168 |
| 2025 | 193 |
| 2026 | 95 |
2021: 30; 2022: 78; 2023: 120; 2024: 168; 2025: 193; 2026: 95
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 155 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 140 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 95 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11406545 · 2021-04-05 (April 5, 2021)
THE VEHICLE STALLED [HALTED] ON MY DAUGHTER WHILE IN MOTION IN MOVING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE AND WAS TOWED TO DEPAULA FORD ALBANY NY. THE VEHICLE STALLED AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY FUEL PUMP AND ONLY HAS 1449 MILES. MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE VEHICLE DISABLEMENT IN FLOWING TRAFFIC ON A BUSY CITY STREET. FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENTS ARE A "SUBSTANTIAL DEFECT" THAT IMPAIRS THE CAR'S USE, VALUE, AND MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT TO THE FUEL AND EMISSION SYSTEM. FUEL PUMP PROBLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,449 miles reported. Look up ODI 11406545 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11428010 · 2021-08-06 (August 6, 2021)
The dash cluster was dead and the start button LED just flashed on and off. The battery, checked with a VOM, showed normal voltage. The vehicle would not start. I unhooked one of the battery terminals and waited 10 minutes for the system to reset. After reconnecting the battery the vehicle lit up, behaved and started as normal. One should not have to carry tools to reboot their vehicle.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11428010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413559 · 2021-04-23 (April 23, 2021)
THE PRE COLLISION ASSIST / WARNING IS NOT WORKING AT ALL. SOMEONE WAS CUT INTO MY LANE IN FRONT OF ME AND I WAS ALMOST HIT HIM SO I NEED TO HIT THE BRAKE IN THE LAST SECOND BUT NO WARNING SHOWED UP AT ALL. AFTER THAT I TRIED TO TEST IF THE PRE COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM IS WORKING OR NOT SO I TRIED TO FORCE THEM SUCH AS I DROVE INTO LIKE ALMOST HIT TO ANOTHER OBJECT/ CAR WITHOUT HITTING BRAKE BUT I NEVER GET OR SEE ANY WARNING ON THE SCREEN.I EVEN SETTING THE SENSITIVITY ON HIGH! BUT IT NEVER WORKED AT ALL. I USED TO DROVE THE CAR THAT HAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 90 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413559 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11441831 · 2021-11-27 (November 27, 2021)
The car stalls out and stops accelerating while on the road, putting me in danger. At first, it displayed service and check engine lights, and the Ford Service Dept said it was a faulty transmission sensor. They replaced it, and now no service and check engine lights appear, but the car continues to have problems accelerating or changing gears. It is driving very loud as well and struggling to drive at high speeds. Consumer stated auto-shutoff at lights is also not working consistently and continues to stay shutoff even after letting go of the …
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11441831 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11414378 · 2021-04-28 (April 28, 2021)
NOT EVEN 200 MILES, ENGINE BEGAN RATTLING AND STALLING OUT. I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AT A GREEN LIGHT. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM. BRAND NEW BADLANDS PACKAGE. 2 LITER 4CYL ECOBOOST 250HP
Owner-reported narrative. 198 miles reported. Look up ODI 11414378 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418897 · 2021-05-28 (May 28, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated with the accelerator pedal depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11418897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11414295 · 2021-04-28 (April 28, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 FORD BRONCO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STEVEN'S JERSEY CITY FORD (740 NJ-440, JERSEY CITY, NJ 07305) BUT NOT YET DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT AXLE WAS REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD RECEIVE A CALLBACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,294.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,294 miles reported. Look up ODI 11414295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11478195 · 2022-08-08 (August 8, 2022)
I was driving in Atlanta in 4 lanes of heavy traffic. My new Bronco just started slowing down and I was almost killed by traffic swerving around me. The message said deactivated switch and fuel injector faulty. Then Bronco completely stopped and would not crank. 100 degree heat in bad part of town. Stranded and scared. After being towed, the deactivated switch replaced in Ford dealership in Georgia. No loaner given. After 2 weeks at my expense, I get car back. 2 months later it happens again. Now, it’s in dealership for third time for 2 more we…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11478195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11427819 · 2021-08-05 (August 5, 2021)
WHEN DRIVING MY 2021 BRONCO AND GOING INTO A RIGHT TURN THE VECHICLE GETS LOOSE . SORT OF SCARY WHEN IT DOES IT. LIKE IM GOING TO LOSE THE VECHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL GETS REAL LOOSE AND ITS A CONCERN RIGHT NOW. I THOUGHT YOU ALL CAN LOOK IN T O THIS AND SEE WHAT IS CAUSING IT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11511567 · 2023-03-13 (March 13, 2023)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while reversing, there was an abnormal grinding noise detected coming from the brakes. While driving at various speeds around a curb, the steering wheel was jerking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11511567 at NHTSA ↗