Ford Bronco Sport Complaints

1,315 consumer complaints on file.

#11710414January 12, 2026
POWER TRAIN
At a little over 75,000 miles, I had a warning light come on that basically said there was a problem shifting between 7th & 8th gear and it put my car into safe mode. After getting it to a dealership, I'm told it needs a new transmission and was quoted $10,000. That's incredible excessive for a 3 year old car and reading through many online forums, I'm not the only one this has happened to with this car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709937January 9, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was a ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact smelled a fuel odor. The Mobile App indicated that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and a software update was performed related to the recall, but the dealer confirmed that parts were still not yet available. The dealer also informed the contact that metal shavings were found in the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the muffler had failed and needed to be replaced. The engine and muffler were repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was denied a buyback option for the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 23,099.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709858January 9, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Transmission is going out. Costly repair $13,000 Seems to be a known issue but no recall? Let’s do better for your customers
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708784January 5, 2026
STEERING:STEERING WHEEL /HANDLE BAR:HAND HEATER/COOLER
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact turned on the heated steering wheel feature, and 30 seconds later, the steering wheel cover began to catch on fire with a blue flame; the contact discovered smoke coming from the steering wheel cover. The contact disengaged the heated steering wheel feature, where the flame self-extinguished. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact discontinued the usage of the heated steering wheel feature in order to avoid a large fire. A fire department report was not filed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer; however, a dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure and informed that the vehicle caught on fire to resolve the failure with the vehicle's insurance. The vehicle was not repaired, but the contact was advised to buy a new steering wheel. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708392January 2, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a loud scraping sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle jerked abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the failure was associated with the torque converter. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708005December 31, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Transmission jerking or not shifting into gear and intermittent park in reverse shifting inoperable. Also, my car has been in the shop.Under warranty repair for most of the last four months. , we are still required to make payments on a vehicle.And cannot even transfer insurance from that vehicle to another temporarily.Because of the sales contract. The service manager recently told me that our eight speed ecoboost transmission is a one of thousands of transmissions that were assembled without vital parts. And that ford has no workaround or plan in place to correct The problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707850December 30, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V019000 (Electrical System) and 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the passenger-side of the vehicle, and the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that approximately a minute later, the vehicle restarted independently. The contact stated that upon shifting to drive(D) and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact shifted to reverse(R), and the vehicle accelerated forward unintendedly. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact test-drove the vehicle in a parking lot, and the failure persisted. The contact stated that while the hand brake was off, the brakes failed to function and seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where the contact test-drove the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. However, the contact was concerned about the failure, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the recall repair of the 12-volt battery was completed, and the PCM software update were performed. Additionally, the contact was informed that the DTC codes found indicated that the transmission had failed. The transmission was not repaired due to cost. The contact picked up the vehicle and drove the vehicle back to the residence with no issues. The contact stated that the battery failed to function as intended, and the vehicle failed to start two days later . The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle on a separate occasion, the message "Parking Not Available" was displayed. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle briefly lost motive power before slamming into gear while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the mechanic shop of the previous owner for inspection most recently. The previous owner repaired the rear differentials; however, the failure persisted. The check engine warning li
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705981December 18, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car's OBD (on board diagnostic) is not functional. This means that if a check engine light comes on it's impossible for the mechanic to know why. This means the car can never complete a state inspection and more seriously if there's an electrical problem, could result in a fire. I took the car to a Ford dealership and they verbally told me that lots of Ford cars are having this problem and that it is a manufacturing problem, not a specific problem only with my car. They want anywhere from $1600 - $4000 to repair/reprogram the OBD. They told me that they've done this "repair" for many customers and it's a manufacturing problem. In my opinion this should be a recall, not a repair customers have to pay for, most importantly because it could be dangerous bc mechanics can't access the car info if the check engine light comes on, and also the car can never be inspected which is not the fault of the car owner.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705364December 16, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I bought my 2021 Ford Bronco at Morrie's Grand Ledge Ford. I live 10 minutes away from Morrie Ford Okemos. I received a recall notice from Ford Motor Company in August of this year regarding a recall of my specific vehicle. The issue is: "there is a possibility that a fuel injector may crack, which may result in fuel accumulating on the top of the engine. Liquid fuel and/or fuel vapor that accumulates near a hot surface, such as a hot engine or exhaust components may ignite resulting in an under-the-hood fire, increasing the risk of injury." I spoke to the Morrie's Okemos Ford Service Manager and was told "Ford Motor Company has not authorized this repair" and "there's nothing I can do about it." And, then he told me to call Ford Motor Company if I had a complaint. I am out of my mind furious with his response to a required repair that, if not done, could result in "injury" or death. I told the service manager not to return my Bronco until the fuel injectors are replaced, and he gives me back my original ones to prove the service has been completed. Imagine being on the road, going to work, or shopping, or on vacation and having your Bronco Sport start on fire. It's horrifying! So this is the boilerplate and impersonal reply I received from Morrie's Okemos Ford: "Hello, it appears that our team did handle the recall that was affecting your vehicle. This specific recall does have a possible extended policy for fuel injector replacements; however, in order to replace the fuel injectors, there has to be an existing issue with them. Your fuel injectors did not fall under this criteria, so we were not able to replace them under the recall warranty. We have let you know that your vehicle's recall is complete and is ready for pick up. Thank you." So, do I have to wait for a possible "under-the-hood" fire before my possibly defective fuel injectors qualify for this recall "criteria?" This is a frightening response, and I will never buy another Ford product in my life.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705221December 15, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
We own a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport that is subject to an active safety recall involving fuel vapors/gasoline odor entering the passenger cabin. The recall remedy is currently listed as not yet available. The vehicle began emitting strong gasoline fumes through the air conditioning vents, creating a serious safety concern and rendering the vehicle unsafe to operate. The vehicle was previously serviced at Hacienda Ford in Kingsville, Texas, in September, at which time the active safety recall was not disclosed. On December 8, 2025, we reported a gasoline odor coming from the A/C vents to the dealership. The dealership stated the concern was not covered under warranty due to mileage exceeding 60,000 miles and did not disclose the existence of the safety recall. Instead, the dealership suggested the issue could be related to a radiator coolant leak. A tow truck was dispatched to retrieve the vehicle from a workplace location. We were required to pay $86 for half of the towing cost, which we believe is improper in connection with a manufacturer safety recall. On December 15, 2025, we returned to Hacienda Ford to request a loaner vehicle or manufacturer refund due to the unresolved safety recall. We were advised that our only option was to trade in the vehicle. The dealership offered $17,000 for the trade-in and stated an additional $10,000 would be added to the cost of another vehicle due to the remaining loan balance. We refused this option due to the financial harm it would cause and requested a manufacturer buyback, at which point we were told to contact Ford Corporate. The dealership has refused to provide a loaner or rental vehicle unless approved by a service manager and has continued to offer a trade-in option that shifts the financial burden of a safety defect onto the consumer. The vehicle remains undrivable due to safety concerns, and no repair remedy is currently available. We contacted Ford Customer Relations and they referred us back to dealership
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705101December 15, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I went to start my 2023 Ford Bronco badlands edition. Upon ignition a loud bang comes from the speakers. It sounded like a gun went off inside the vehicle. My ears were ringing. Then a loud crackling sound could be heard continuously without going away. I tried to shut off the volume, but the knob didn’t work. I shut down the vehicle and the sound of the crackling still persisted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704970December 14, 2025
SEAT BELTS
I'm concerned Ford has a defective seat belt buckle and can be a safety issue, causing passengers to forego using the seat belts since the belt tongue cannot be retained in the buckle. I brought my new 2025 Bronco Sport to the dealership i bought it from for failed rear seat safety belt buckles (drivers side and center) and was told it wasn't under warrantee because "there's something stuck in it". I was offered a $700 estimate to replace the buckles. Instead I went home to look at it myself. Drivers side was because the tongue of the belt insert had been bent over 45 degrees. A flathead screw driver freed the tongue, and the buckle was undamaged, and continues now to work great after. The center buckle wouldn't latch a belt tongue. I disassembled the plastic casing, and a white part fell out (in photo its on the seat next to the buckle) ... which turned out to be a broken internal part. The broken part is at the upper end of the spring and attachs to the brown slide at the bottom of the buckle (which activates the buckle switch) and has a pawl that engages the steel pin that extends across the buckle. It broke at the spring interface, and therefore lost function (no spring force to activate the internal latching mechanism).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704358December 10, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My Check Engine Light came on today. I went to Advance Auto Parts and had them check the code (P0171). I took my vehicle to University Ford in Huntington and expressed concern that my fuel injector may cause a fire and I am not comfortable driving the car. They could not diagnose my car or loan me a safe vehicle. They sent me away in an unsafe vehicle. I am to bring the car back in the morning at 8am. I believe this problem is due to the open recall. I also believe all of the damaged parts that my car came with have depreciated the value of my car. I’ve driven Fords exclusively for 20 years. I’ve never had a Ford like this Bronco. Nothing but a nightmare. Tomorrow I hope the dealership fixes my problem or loans me a safe vehicle to pick my grandsons up from school in. Thank you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704284December 10, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The main symptom is chatter/shudder during low speed turning events. This is due to a faulty rear differential unit. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer. No lamps or other warnings present prior to the failure. The manufacturer has issued multiple TSBs, latest being TSB 25 2351.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703698December 8, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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 the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703637December 8, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake booster failed. Lost brake assist while driving. Car became unsafe to drive immediately.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703414December 6, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am reporting a premature transmission failure on my 2022 Ford Bronco at approximately 85,000 miles. The vehicle required a full transmission replacement after experiencing internal transmission failure described by a Ford service manager as “something came apart inside the transmission.” The dealership quoted $13,000 for transmission replacement. Independent transmission specialists quoted approximately half that amount, indicating the dealership pricing is inflated. A major drivetrain failure at this mileage is abnormal and suggests a manufacturing defect. This issue renders the vehicle unsafe and unreliable and occurred far earlier than the expected life of a transmission. I am concerned this represents a systemic defect in Ford Bronco transmissions and request this complaint be documented and investigated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703132December 4, 2025
ENGINE
Recurring Safety Defect: Powertrain Cooling System Failure causing Engine Overheating, Coolant Intrusion, and Loss of Motive Power. The vehicle has experienced three catastrophic cooling system failures within a 9-month period, posing a crash and fire risk. Incident 1 (February 2025): Water pump failure caused significant coolant loss. Diagnosed and repaired by authorized dealer under warranty. Incident 2 (June 2025): Vehicle leaked coolant and emitted visible smoke and burning odors from the exhaust. Dealer diagnosed internal turbocharger failure resulting in coolant intrusion into the engine and exhaust system. The catalytic converter was damaged by coolant burn-off and required replacement. This failure kept the vehicle out of service for 38 days. Incident 3 (November 2025): The vehicle engine overheated again while driving, triggering the "Fail-Safe" cooling mode. This resulted in a sudden reduction of motive power (limp mode), creating a collision hazard at highway speeds. The Check Engine light illuminated. Dealer diagnosis confirmed codes P1285 (Cylinder Head Overtemperature) and P05A1 (Active Grille Shutter failure). The manufacturer's dealer has confirmed the current failure but refuses to acknowledge it as part of the recurring powertrain thermal defect. The safety risk involves sudden deceleration in traffic due to overheating protection mode and potential fire risk from repeated coolant leaks onto hot engine components. The vehicle is currently at the dealer and available for inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703086December 4, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car has been dying repeatedly and then decides to work again, got a new battery and new alternator and it still died. Ford techs had it and drove it for 200 miles and couldn’t replicate the issue. Now less than a month after that the car is completely dead and won’t even start with a jump. We are towing it to ford.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702698December 3, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Transmission failed, Ford diagnosed it as needing the torque converter replaced, however, after this was fixed at a transmission shop, the problem persisted and that mechanic said the transmission needs to be rebuilt. My safety was out at risk when my vehicle stalled at an intersection and would not accelerate. Also, on two occasions, when the vehicle was put into reverse, it jerked forward and did not go backwards. Luckily nothing was hit in front of my vehicle, although it could have due to being in a parking spot when theirs happened. Ford confirmed an issue on 11/3/25 and another independent mechanic replaced the converter, but stayed the transmission needs to be rebuilt after that did not correct the problem. He states that the torque converter would not cause the reverse issues. Initially, no warning lamps came on, but now the wrench light and check engine light are on. Ford app gave two errors, one on 11/13/25: Powertrain malfunction/reduced power What Is Happening? The transmission control module has detected a concern when trying to shift to 8th gear. A failsafe logic disables 7th gear for the remainder of this key cycle. What Should I Do? Have your vehicle checked by an authorized dealer as soon as possible And one on 11/21/25 Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power: What Is Happening? The powertrain control system has detected one of the transmission clutches did not apply within the expected time as expected. Some transmission gears may not being available resulting in delayed or harsh shifts into another gear. Additional alerts that may provide additional information may accompany this alert. What Should I Do? Have your vehicle checked by an authorized dealer as soon as possible. Vehicle already had Powertrain issues last year when transaxle assembly was replaced and there was an issue with the exhaust, which ended up falling off the engine after Ford worked on it. Also, had to replace vacuum pump the year before that.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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