The Lemon Index
20221st generation
Avoid · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
396 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Toyota RAV4 802021 Honda CR-V 642021 Nissan Rogue 55
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport
- Engine stalling64 complaintsmostly at 4,500–53,000 miles (7,200–85,000 km)
- Throttle body / loss of power26 complaints
- Transmission failure23 complaints
Specific parts named in the 716 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 42,000 miles (8,000–68,000 km) (the middle half of the 115 complaints, of all 396 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V340000 (suspension), 25V685000 (equipment) and 25V467000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 16 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Ford sent dealers 188 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “In all of the affected vehicles, the AWD module was assembled with an incorrect transistor…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 396 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 42K miles (8K to 68K km) on the car (115 of all 396 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Loud screeching noise when backing up, seems to be harder to stop when applying brakes when needed to make a quick stop, been to dealer and he told me that the noise was normal! And couldn’t duplicate the reduced braking issue!
2021 Ford Bronco Sport owner · NHTSA complaint 11464006
More owner reports
another Ford APIM failure. screen failure. no functionality
NHTSA complaint 11579936
Catastrophic engine failure on major highway . The warning message was " Your engine is shutting down "
NHTSA complaint 11502648
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 188 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- In all of the affected vehicles, the AWD module was assembled with an incorrect transistor…
- Intermittent audio echo/robotic voice heard
- Some 2019 MKC, 2019-2021 Edge/Nautilus/Escape/Ranger/Explorer, 2020-2021 Corsair, and 2021…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 16
- Suspension · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
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 · recall issued 2025
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, gasoline · recall issued 2025 1.5L engines only
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Show all 16 recalls
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
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 & drivetrain · recall issued 2025
The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2025
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
- Electrical · recall issued 2025
The 12-volt battery may experience degradation and suddenly fail.
- Electrical · recall issued 2024
The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2022 1.5L engines only
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
- Engine · recall issued 2022 1.5L engines only
The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.
- Brakes · recall issued 2021
The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance.
- Visibility · recall issued 2021
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, gasoline · recall issued 2021
The fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure which could result in an engine stall.
- Suspension · recall issued 2021
These vehicles may have been produced with incorrect front lower control arms.
- Suspension · recall issued 2021
The rear suspension subframe assembly may have loose or missing bolts.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2021
An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Ford Bronco Sport recall, all years · All Ford recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2024
- ClosedLoss of motive power2024–2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Bronco 4DR SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Bronco 2DR SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Bronco Sport SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,300–$2,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.5L 3-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Ford Bronco Sport year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-bronco-sport/?y=2021" title="Ford Bronco Sport reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-bronco-sport/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Ford Bronco Sport reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 4 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 361; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford Bronco Sport year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2022.
What are the most common 2021 Ford Bronco Sport problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (29%), brakes (21%) and engine (21%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport have?
16 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport get?
23 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2021 Ford Bronco Sport problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 42,000 miles (8,000–68,000 km) (the middle half of the 115 complaints, of all 396 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2021 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport cost in fuel a year?
About $2,300 to $2,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport have?
1.5L 3-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Ford Bronco Sport year is better than the 2021?
Nearby, the 2022 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about twice the average car's complaints).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works