Last updated: 2026-10-10
Ford Bronco Sport Reliability by Year
Ford Bronco-Sport reliability is good, but 2021 cars stall and lose transmissions. See what breaks and which year to buy.
Ford Bronco Sport Reliability Overview
Stalling from electrical faults and failed transmissions define the weak years, especially 2021, while the 2024 is the safer used pick with far fewer complaints per car sold. Rear brake groan and long waits for recall parts also come up often. Standing is good, though below average among SUVs.
Current generation: 1st gen (2021–2023), facelifted 2022, 2023.
Best & Worst Ford Bronco Sport Years
Best Ford Bronco Sport Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2024 has far fewer owner complaints per car sold than 2021 or 2022, and about half the recalls of 2021. It has been on the road long enough to trust that gap. Watch for a weak 12V battery and occasional loss of power at highway speed.
Ford Bronco Sport Years to Avoid
Stalling is the headline problem. Owners describe cars that die in traffic, lose brakes and steering, and will not restart even with a jump. Transmissions slip, shudder or drop into neutral, with repair quotes from $8K to $13,000. Rear brakes groan, and some pedals turn hard. Fifteen fire reports are on file.
Ford Bronco Sport Reliability Score Trend
Ford Bronco Sport reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 74/100 compared to 60/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54/100 | Mixed |
| 2022 | 59/100 | Mixed |
| 2023 | 67/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 77/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
2 recalls · 0 complaints
Ranks first of six scored years with no owner complaints and a 5-star crash rating, though two recalls cover air bags and the electrical system.
2025 Ford Bronco Sport
6 recalls · 14 complaints
Light complaint load and a 5-star federal crash rating, offset by steering, brake and rear seat belt reports and six recalls.
2024 Ford Bronco Sport
7 recalls · 66 complaints
Middle of the pack among its model years, with fewer complaints than 2023 and a fuel system recall repair that owners say is slow to arrive.
2023 Ford Bronco Sport
13 recalls · 114 complaints
Middle of the six scored years, with 13 recalls and complaints of stalling and fuel smell, yet a better record than the 2022 and a weaker one than the 2024.
2022 Ford Bronco Sport
14 recalls · 303 complaints
Better than the 2021 but behind the 2023, with battery drain, fuel-system recall waits, and engine fires as the main complaints.
2021 Ford Bronco Sport
15 recalls · 622 complaints
Weakest of the six scored years, a first-generation launch year dogged by stalling, transmission failures, and brake complaints.
Viewing a Ford Bronco Sport soon? Use a printable inspection checklist for its model year.
Found Your Ford Bronco Sport? Check Its History
Service brakes (2) problems come up most in Ford Bronco Sport owner complaints, and 57 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Ford Bronco Sport Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
Ford Bronco Sport Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Ford Models
Compare all Ford models by reliability
Compare Ford Bronco Sport With Similar SUVs
The Ford Bronco Sport competes with other midsize suvs such as Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Bronco Sport vs Jeep Wrangler
9 years tracked · 5160 complaints
Bronco Sport vs Toyota 4Runner
9 years tracked · 286 complaints
Bronco Sport vs Jeep Grand Cherokee
9 years tracked · 2592 complaints
Bronco Sport vs Subaru Outback
9 years tracked · 3593 complaints
Bronco Sport vs Toyota Highlander
9 years tracked · 1892 complaints
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best Ford Bronco-Sport year to buy?
- The 2024 is the best pick. It has been on the road long enough to show a clear record, with good reliability and far fewer complaints per car sold than 2021 or 2022. The 2025 and 2026 rate well but are too new to judge.
- Is the Ford Bronco-Sport reliable?
- Mostly yes, depending on the year. Standing is good, but it falls below average compared with other SUVs. The 2021 and 2022 cars carry the most complaints and recalls, while 2023 and 2024 hold up noticeably better.
- What are the most common Ford Bronco-Sport problems?
- Electrical faults lead the list, mainly sudden loss of power and dead batteries. Next come transmission failures, rear brake groan with some hard pedals, and fuel system complaints. Many fuel and brake filings are about waiting for recall parts that dealers did not have.
- How much does a Bronco-Sport transmission repair cost?
- Owners of 2021 cars describe quotes from $8K to $13,000. Many of those failures came between about 64,000 and 86,000 miles, after the 60,000-mile powertrain warranty ended. The data does not give a typical price for other years.
- Do Ford Bronco-Sport vehicles catch fire?
- Fire reports exist, and they fall with newer years. The 2021 has 15, the 2022 has 12, the 2023 has 5 and the 2024 has 3. Some owners say fires started minutes after parking.
How we score the Ford Bronco Sport
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Ford Bronco Sport.
No spam. Only data updates for this model.
See incorrect data? Report an issue