Is the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport a bad year?
715 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Bronco Sport years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport are in line with other Bronco Sport years. Fuel system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 Bronco Sport owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 41,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 124 (17%) | 17k–83k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 212 (30%) | 28k–55k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 194 (27%) | 27k–88k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 175 (24%) | 32k–80k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 127 (18%) | 4k–31k miles · mostly behind | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Visibility and wipers | 26 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 24 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 16 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 15 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 13 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 10 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 8 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 41,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 715 complaints: 18 mention a crash · 17 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 61 say the car was towed.
145 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My 2021 Bronco failed our family on Friday. The Bronco failed to start upon pressing the start and brake pedal.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 41,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport: 16
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. A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
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. A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge. 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.
The 12-volt battery may experience degradation and suddenly fail. 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.
The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge. 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.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak. An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance. 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.
The moonroof glass may not have been bonded correctly to the moonroof frame, which could result in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. A detached glass panel can become a road hazard, and increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure which could result in an engine stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The rear suspension subframe assembly may have loose or missing bolts. Loose or missing bolts may affect the vehicle's handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash. It could also reduce the vehicle's performance in a rear impact crash, increasing the risk of injury.
These vehicles may have been produced with incorrect front lower control arms. An incorrect lower control arm may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a rollover crash.
An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 183
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit a shudder condition, most noticeable at speeds below 60 mph (100 km/h)…
2021-2024 Bronco Sport built on or before 15-Dec-2024<br /> * 2022-2024 Mustang Mach-E<br /> * 2022-2025 Escape built on or before 22-May-2025<br /> * 2024…
Some vehicles may require an A/C compressor clutch assembly replacement be performed for various concerns
Some vehicles may exhibit erratic shifting and/or a transmission fluid venting condition
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Loss of Motive Power
Loss of Motive Power
Neighbouring years
2022 Bronco Sport: 369 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Bronco Sport year
2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Bronco Sport years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport a bad year?
715 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Bronco Sport years. At 41,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (124), electrical system (212), transmission and drivetrain (194), engine (175), brakes (127).
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport have?
16 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 26V-340), Equipment (NHTSA 25V-685), Fuel system (NHTSA 25V-467), Backup camera (NHTSA 25V-442) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.