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…
2022 Ford Bronco Sport electrical problems
moderate 51 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
51
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2fires
What stands out
Owners have filed 51 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2022 Bronco Sport has serious, widespread electrical issues centered on the 12V battery and charging system, with owners reporting repeated battery failures even after replacement, sudden stalling while driving, complete loss of dashboard displays, and in rare cases, fires. Ford issued Recall 25V019000 but repair parts remain unavailable months after complaints were filed, leaving owners stranded or unsafe.
The core failure is a 12V battery that drains or fails prematurely, often within the first 50k miles and sometimes under 10k. Owners report dead batteries after parking for just days, batteries that fail again within weeks of replacement, and swollen or visibly defective batteries. The charging system apparently doesn't top off the battery properly, and Ford's diagnostic tools sometimes miss the root cause.
When the battery weakens, the car stalls without warning—at traffic lights, on the highway at 55 mph, anywhere. No warning lights beforehand. The vehicle either won't restart at all or requires a jump. Some owners had to replace the battery two or three times on the same vehicle, yet failures kept recurring.
A secondary electrical issue involves the instrument cluster blacking out completely while driving: speedometer, tachometer, turn signals, defroster, climate controls all go dark. Engine and wipers keep running, stranding the driver without speed readout or visibility into the vehicle's state. Dealers can't replicate the failure and haven't fixed it even after three visits. Separately, owners report cascades of warning lights (pre-collision, hill assist, ABS, parking brake) flashing across the dash before the vehicle either loses power or the cluster goes black.
Rare but critical: two owners reported fires or smoking from under the hood—one with only 900 miles on it.
Recall 25V019000 (Electrical System) was issued, but the repair parts have been on backorder for months. Owners are being told to keep driving the vehicle and report problems, or are asked to pay out-of-pocket for battery replacements while the recall is pending. Dealers have been unhelpful: some refuse to cover recall-related repairs, others lack rental vehicles for diagnosis, and some simply say parts aren't available yet.
Same Ford Bronco Sport electrical reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2023 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Battery Failure / Rapid Depletion
Multiple owners report dead or rapidly draining batteries, often shortly after replacement or in vehicles with very low mileage. Some batteries fail repeatedly; several owners cite swollen or defective batteries. Symptoms include complete power loss, inability to start the engine, and dead electronics (no lights, no dashboard, no fob unlock). Some owners replaced batteries multiple times only to have failures recur.
When: Low mileage (under 10k miles reported in some cases); some failures occur within days of battery replacement; recurring every 10k-50k miles in repeat failures
Symptoms owners cite: Complete electrical system failure (dash, radio, lights all dead); Engine will not crank or start; Vehicle dead after short periods parked (days to a week); Fob does not unlock vehicle; Swollen or visibly defective battery; Battery fails after recent replacement; Battery fails multiple times on same vehicle
Codes mentioned: Charging System Service Now, Charging System Error, Battery Saver Mode, Low Battery Warning, Low voltage fault detected
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement (often multiple times per vehicle); some dealers claim parts on backorder; several owners paid out-of-pocket for repeat replacements; dealer diagnostics confirm battery failure but fail to resolve root cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 25V019000 (Electrical System) issued; Recall 24S24 (battery-related); Recall 25S02 (battery swelling/failure); parts not yet available for remedy as of complaint dates; owners told to 'keep monitoring' or advised parts on backorder until future quarters; some Ford dealers refused to cover repairs under recall, demanding owners pay despite active recall
Loss of Motive Power While Driving
Owners report the vehicle suddenly losing power and stalling while actively driving, often at speeds of 20–75 MPH, in traffic, or at traffic lights. Engine can sometimes be restarted (after jump or brief delay), but in some cases vehicle becomes completely immobilized. No consistent warning lights precede the failure in many reports.
When: Typically early to mid-life of vehicle (14k–62k miles); occurs while driving, often at intersections or highways
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls without warning while driving; No warning lights illuminated before stall; Engine dies at traffic lights; Loss of power mid-highway (55–75 MPH); Vehicle cannot be restarted immediately; requires jump or multi-attempt restart; Vehicle rolls to a stop or becomes locked
Codes mentioned: Parking Brake INOP, Shift System Fault, Powertrain Malfunction - Reduced Power Fault
Repairs/costs cited: No consistent repair documented; some dealers unable to replicate or diagnose; owners towed vehicle; no repairs completed in majority of reports
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 25V019000 issued but remedy parts not available; owners notified to 'keep driving but be careful' until fix available in future quarter; one owner told to simply 'keep monitoring'
Dashboard / Instrument Cluster Blackouts
Owners report entire instrument cluster, gauges, and controls going black while driving. All dashboard displays, speedometer, tachometer, and safety information disappear, leaving the driver unable to see speed, gear selection, or instrument warnings. Engine continues running. Screens recover after shutdown or overnight, but failures are intermittent and recurring.
When: Scattered across vehicle ownership; failures are intermittent and unrelated to weather or specific conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument cluster goes completely black while driving; Speedometer and tachometer display 0 or go dark; All dashboard information disappears; Loss of visibility into vehicle system status; Engine and wipers continue but all other electrical displays off; Vehicle Network Communication Error displayed; Cluster partially resets after shutdown; fully resets overnight
Codes mentioned: Vehicle Network Communication Error, Pre-collision assist unavailable, Hill Assist warning, Service AdvanceTrac, Wrench symbol (See Manual)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to replicate or diagnose in multiple visits (some vehicles returned 3+ times); one case mentions faulty gateway module replacement and software reprogramming, but failures recurred; no successful repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 22S73 and 24S24 applied in one case, including gateway module replacement and software reprogramming, but failures continued; dealers offered no further troubleshooting or guarantees; no resolution achieved
Loss of Auxiliary Electrical Control (Lights, Signals, Defroster, etc.)
While engine continues running, owners lose control of and visibility from exterior and comfort systems: headlights, turn signals, defroster, heater, and rear camera all fail. Some report only wipers and engine remain functional. Creates acute safety hazard when these failures occur during driving.
When: During active driving; one case reported during rain (11/14/24); others during clear weather, suggesting not weather-dependent
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights fail to turn off or turn off unexpectedly; Turn signals inoperative; Exterior lights do not function; Defroster inoperative; Heater/climate controls inoperative; Rear camera / rearview camera fails to display; Only engine and wipers remain functional
Codes mentioned: Vehicle Network Communication Error, Service AdvanceTrac
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle returned to dealer multiple times; no successful repairs documented; dealers unable to replicate failures
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response or recall directly addressing this failure mode documented
Battery or Electrical Fire
Two owners report fires or smoking under the hood. One vehicle (900 miles) began smoking and caught fire; another (post-recall programming) produced strong burning/rubber smell, leaking sound, light smoke, and leakage near battery. One report of vehicle cranking repeatedly until catching fire and producing electrical smoke; fire department called.
When: One with minimal mileage (900 miles); others after dealership service or during jump-start attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Burning/rubber smell under hood; Smoke or light smoke from under hood; Leaking sound and leakage near battery; Vehicle catching fire and burning; Electrical smoke rolling from vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; vehicles either total losses or unsafe to continue use
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 25V467 (injector crack/fuel accumulation fire risk) mentioned in one case; no recall remedy available at time of complaint
Multiple Warning Lights / Dashboard Alert Cascades
Owners report sudden illumination of dozens of warning lights flashing sequentially on the dashboard, including collision warnings, hill assist, ABS, parking brake status, shift faults, and service messages. Often accompanied by dashboard blackout or loss of control. Lights sometimes clear after restart; in other cases they persist or recur.
When: Intermittent; can occur during driving or at startup
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple warning lights flash sequentially; Pre-collision assist unavailable; Hill Assist warning; ABS warning; Shift System Fault; Service AdvanceTrac warning; Parking brake warning light or self-application; Wrench symbol (See Manual); Parking brake applies without driver input; All warnings may clear after restart
Codes mentioned: Power terrain warning, Backup Camera fault, Front Camera fault, 911 Service unavailable, Shift System Fault, Parking Brake INOP
Repairs/costs cited: Recalls 22S73 and 24S24 applied in some cases; gateway module replaced and software reprogrammed in at least one case, but warnings recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 22S73 (software) and 24S24 (battery) applied; one owner had gateway module replaced and software reprogrammed but issues persisted; dealers often unable to duplicate or resolve
Failure to Start or Prolonged Crank Time
Owners report vehicles that fail to start entirely or crank repeatedly without catching. In some cases, the vehicle hesitates when the start button is pressed. Start failures often occur after parking for brief periods or overnight and are sometimes preceded by low-battery warnings.
When: Low mileage vehicles (some under 10k miles); both fresh battery replacements and older batteries; intermittent to frequent
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start or turn over; Engine cranks repeatedly without catching; Start button pressed but vehicle does not respond (silence, no clicking); Slight hesitation when pressing start button; Vehicle starts only after multiple attempts or jump-start
Codes mentioned: Full Accessory Power Active error
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement (sometimes multiple times); some batteries tested good at third-party shops (e.g., AutoZone) shortly after failure; no root-cause repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 25V019000 issued but remedy parts unavailable; owners told battery may be 'installed wrong' despite professional installation; some Ford dealers referred owners to NHTSA when parts unavailable
Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) System Failure
At least one owner reports OBD (on-board diagnostic) system completely non-functional, preventing mechanics from reading check-engine codes or diagnosing electrical faults. Vehicle cannot pass state inspection and poses safety risk if electrical problems occur.
When: Reported as manufacturing defect; timeframe unclear
Symptoms owners cite: OBD unable to read diagnostic codes; Check engine light illuminates but cannot be diagnosed; Vehicle unable to pass state inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Ford dealerships quote $1600–$4000 to repair/reprogram OBD; owner reports dealership stated this is a known manufacturing problem affecting many Ford vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; dealers billing customers $1600–$4000 for repairs that dealership staff acknowledge is a widespread manufacturing problem
Auto Start/Stop System Malfunction
One owner reports the auto start/stop feature malfunctioning, causing temporary electrical failures at traffic lights. Initially suspected as the root cause of repeated stalling and battery drain issues.
When: Approximately 5 months of intermittent issues before escalation
Symptoms owners cite: Electrical system failure at stop lights; Engine stalls at red lights; Vehicle will not restart after stall
Codes mentioned: Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Not definitively repaired; owner suspects root cause is related to 12V battery degradation and charging system, not auto start/stop itself
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership gave 'generic and un-sympathetic' responses; charged diagnostic fees for each issue separately; refused to treat as single root-cause electrical problem
Parasitic Battery Drain
Owners report batteries draining while parked, vehicle going into 'sleep mode' or 'battery saver mode' after brief parking periods. FordPass app alerts owner that vehicle is entering sleep mode, indicating battery weakening.
When: While parked; batteries drain overnight or within days
Symptoms owners cite: Battery drains while parked; FordPass app reports vehicle entering sleep mode; Vehicle difficult to start after parking; Battery drains despite short parking duration
Codes mentioned: Battery Saver Mode
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement; however, failures recur; one owner delayed repair due to 30+ day dealer wait for parts; root-cause drain not identified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 25V019000 issued; parts on backorder for extended periods (months in some cases)
Soy-Based Wire Coating Rodent Damage
One owner reports rats attracted to soy-based wire coating and chewing off coating from all wires in the vehicle. Damage was extensive and expensive to repair. Owner suspects damage may have occurred during pre-delivery storage.
When: Likely prior to or shortly after delivery; discovered during ownership
Symptoms owners cite: All wire coatings chewed off by rodents; Extensive damage to wiring harnesses; Vehicle appeared new with no evident damage upon initial inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Expensive repair required; technician stated he had never seen comparable damage and was shocked at extent
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or manufacturer acknowledgment mentioned; owner states this is a 'known problem'
Spontaneous Engine Start (Without Remote Start Activated)
One owner reports vehicle starting on its own with no remote-start scheduled or app activity. Vehicle then suffered battery drain two days later. Root cause never determined by Ford.
When: Isolated incident; battery failure followed two days later
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle engine starts without owner activation; No remote-start scheduled or triggered; Battery dead two days after incident
Codes mentioned: 15 U codes relating to battery or electrical failures
Repairs/costs cited: Ford reset battery monitoring systems but provided no explanation; owner paid for diagnostics
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford found 15 U-codes related to battery/electrical failures, reset systems, but refused to explain cause or provide safety assurance; told owner to 'keep monitoring' vehicle and report problems
Synthesized from 51 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had electrical trouble with your 2022 Ford Bronco Sport?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 51 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 27,000 and 48,000 miles, with the median around 37,600. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,000; a quarter make it past 48,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/Ford/Bronco Sport.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.