The Lemon Index
20241st generation
Too new: partial score · still collecting complaintsThe 2025 Ford Bronco Sport hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2025 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.
Too new: partial score · most complaints: engine
Better years to buy
39 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–27 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
Only 8 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V340000 (suspension), 26V201000 (airbags) and 26V122000 (engine) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Ford sent dealers 73 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2025 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 2.0L engine with Badlands package and 2025…”?
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 39 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 1K to 20K miles (3K to 33K km) on the car (8 of all 39 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
Just seen notice that there is a recall notice about the engine and part of the front suspension, just wondering if it affects my vehicle.
2025 Ford Bronco Sport owner · NHTSA complaint 11742303
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 73 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2025 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 2.0L engine with Badlands package and 2025…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- 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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The Occupant Classification Sensor (OCS) unit may fail to correctly detect the presence of an adult or child in the front passenger seat.
- Engine · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Show all 7 recalls
- Electrical · recall issued 2025 New: most likely still open
The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.
- Engine · recall issued 2025
The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
- Electrical · recall issued 2025
The engine block heater may overheat when the vehicle is parked with the block heater plugged in.
- Electrical · recall issued 2025
The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may not illuminate at startup or while driving.
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
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Bronco Sport Early Release SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Bronco Sport Later Release SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,200–$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. 2025 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 2025 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-bronco-sport/?y=2025" 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/2025/">Lemon Index</a> (2025 Ford Bronco Sport reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn about half as many complaints as the average car per car sold, against other 2025 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 48; 100 is average). 2025 is one of the better years of a model that draws 2.9× the average car's complaints. The Ford Bronco Sport year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2022.
What are the most common 2025 Ford Bronco Sport problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (18%), transmission & drivetrain (18%) and airbags (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport have?
7 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 2025 Ford Bronco Sport get?
23 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2025 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.
Does the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport cost in fuel a year?
About $2,200 to $2,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport have?
1.5L 3-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
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