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ProblemsByVinFile / 2021-FORD-BRONCO-SPORTNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford
2021 Ford Bronco Sport problems
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has 668 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 16 active recall campaigns.
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has 668 NHTSA owner complaints and 16 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 154 complaints, typically surfacing around 57,953 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Significant reliability concerns on file. Read the trouble spots before buying.
0
Critical
16
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2021 Bronco Sport?
Avoid — the electrical system
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
6 fire-related complaints and 3 crash-related complaints on the electrical system
Engine: 61 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 35,000–80,000 mi
Reliability score 3.6/10 — below the segment average
16 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2021 Ford Bronco Sport SUV 4WD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2021 Ford Bronco Sport? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 154 owner reports
· tends to show around 57,953 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 150 owner reports
· tends to show around 38,913 mi · ~$850 to fix
brakes — 94 owner reports
· tends to show around 19,146 mi · ~$450 to fix
engine — 61 owner reports
· tends to show around 56,195 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 38,913 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 16 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 3.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2021 Bronco Sport· powertrain
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…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that when the vehicle was in reverse, there was a loud squealing sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer six times to be…
Our vehicle has multiple issues with it's brakes since we purchased the vehicle in December of 2021. Initially, when we would use our brakes while in reverse, the brakes would make a groaning sound (this started around January of 2022). We assumed it had something to do with the…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle sputtered. The dealer was made aware…
Had a problem with your 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles
A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and repair the front lower control arm ball joints as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 4, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S36. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 29, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will update the engine control software. In addition, dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel rail assembly and fuel injectors, free of charge. As an interim repair, dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 29, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S76. This recall expands and replaces previous recall numbers 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165 will need to have the new final remedy performed once it is available.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 3.6 out of 10 based on 668 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
On the NHTSA data, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 6 fire-related complaints and 3 crash-related complaints on the electrical system; Engine: 61 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 35,000–80,000 mi; Reliability score 3.6/10 — below the segment average; 16 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 154 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 57,953 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport a good used car to buy?
It scores 3.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 668 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 57,953 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 154 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 57,953 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 57,953 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Bronco Sport has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 668 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Ford/Bronco Sport.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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