Which has more recalls, the Ford Bronco-Sport or the Jeep Wrangler?

The Jeep Wrangler has more recalls (94) compared to the Ford Bronco-Sport (57). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Bronco-Sport or the Jeep Wrangler?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Jeep Wrangler has a lower complaint rate at 15.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 17.3 for the Ford Bronco-Sport. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Ford Bronco-Sport vs Jeep Wrangler: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Ford Bronco-Sport

Good

Jeep Wrangler

Good

Choosing between the Ford Bronco-Sport and the Jeep Wrangler? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Ford Bronco-Sport currently leads with an average score of 65/100 compared to 61/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Ford Bronco-Sport and Jeep Wrangler Generations Compare?

As of April 2026, the Jeep Wrangler is in its fourth generation (JL), which was introduced in 2018 and continued until 2023. The JL generation is now mature, having been on the market for several years before its redesign. This typically means that many initial issues have been addressed, leading to improved reliability compared to earlier in its cycle. In contrast, the Ford Bronco-Sport is still in its first generation (CX430), which debuted in 2021. This generation saw significant updates in 2022 and 2023, indicating an effort to refine the platform. However, newer models often experience early production issues, so the Bronco-Sport might still be working through some initial teething problems.

Verdict

The Ford Bronco-Sport is more reliable than the Jeep Wrangler, scoring 65/100 vs 61/100.

The Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco-Sport exhibit similar reliability profiles, with the Bronco-Sport slightly edging out the Wrangler with an average reliability score of 65/100 compared to 61/100. Despite the Wrangler's higher total recall count of 94 over nine years versus the Bronco-Sport's 57 over six years, the Wrangler has a lower owner complaint rate of 15.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold compared to the Bronco-Sport's 17.3. Notably, the Wrangler's estimated annual repair cost is available at $694, which could be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers, though the Bronco-Sport lacks this data. Both vehicles share common reliability issues in critical areas such as the electrical system and power train, but the Bronco-Sport's slightly better reliability score and fewer recalls make it a marginally more reliable choice.

Key Differences

1Ford Bronco-Sport has 37 fewer total recalls
2Ford Bronco-Sport scores 4 points higher in reliability
3Jeep Wrangler has 1.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Ford Bronco-Sport

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1Jeep Wrangler

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Ford Bronco-Sport vs Jeep Wrangler: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Bronco-Sport vs Jeep Wrangler at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Ford Bronco-Sport	Jeep Wrangler
Reliability Score	65/100	61/100
Years Tracked	6	9
Total Recalls	57	94
Complaints per 10k Sold	17.3	15.8
Year Wins	2	3

What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Bronco-Sport and Jeep Wrangler?

The Jeep Wrangler exhibits a significant concentration of complaints related to its steering system, with 2153 issues reported and 22 of these linked to crashes, indicating a notable safety concern in this area. In contrast, the Ford Bronco-Sport's most reported problem area is the electrical system, though with fewer complaints overall at 234, and only 4 crash-linked incidents. The power train is a common problem area for both models, but the Wrangler has a higher incidence with 569 complaints compared to the Bronco-Sport's 211. Additionally, the Bronco-Sport has a relatively high number of service brake complaints (135), with 7 linked to crashes, highlighting a potential safety issue not mirrored in the Wrangler's profile.

Ford Bronco-Sport vs Jeep Wrangler common problem areas comparison
Component	Ford Bronco-Sport	Jeep Wrangler
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3.6Average	3.5Average
STEERING	0.4Very Low	6.6Average
POWER TRAIN	3.3Average	1.7Low
SERVICE BRAKES	2.1Low	0.2Very Low
ENGINE	1.3Low	0.7Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	1.7Low	0.1Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.8Very Low	0.6Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.3Very Low	0.6Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.4Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY	0.2Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
TIRES	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Bronco-Sport or Jeep Wrangler?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Jeep Wrangler has an annual repair cost of $694, with an average of 0.3 shop visits per year and a 16% risk of encountering a major repair. While specific figures for the Ford Bronco-Sport are unavailable, the Wrangler's data provides a benchmark for comparison. Over five years, the Wrangler's repair expenses could amount to approximately $3,470, considering the potential for major repairs. In the absence of detailed data for the Bronco-Sport, potential buyers might consider the Wrangler's predictable costs and repair frequency. For those prioritizing cost predictability and manageable repair risks, the Jeep Wrangler may offer better value, assuming comparable costs for the Bronco-Sport.

How Does Ford Bronco-Sport vs Jeep Wrangler Reliability Compare by Year?

Ford Bronco-Sport vs Jeep Wrangler year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Ford Bronco-Sport	Jeep Wrangler	Edge
2025	73/1006R / 14C	74/1004R / 49C	Jeep Wrangler
2024	72/1007R / 66C	56/10012R / 702C	Ford Bronco-Sport
2023	67/10013R / 114C	62/10013R / 283C	Ford Bronco-Sport
2022	59/10014R / 303C	62/10014R / 313C	Jeep Wrangler
2021	54/10015R / 622C	56/10016R / 826C	Jeep Wrangler
2026(predicted)	71/100(predicted)	64/100(predicted)	Ford Bronco-Sport

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Ford Bronco-Sport scored 73/100 and the 2025 Jeep Wrangler scored 74/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Ford Bronco-Sport vs the Jeep Wrangler?

If you prioritize low running costs and a predictable maintenance schedule, the Jeep Wrangler might be more suitable for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $694 and a low repair frequency of 0.3 times per year, it offers a relatively stable ownership experience. However, keep in mind the Wrangler's reliability score of 61/100 and its history of 94 recalls, which could indicate potential issues over time. On the other hand, if you seek a slightly more reliable option, consider the Ford Bronco-Sport, which scores 65/100 in reliability. Although specific repair cost and frequency data are unavailable, it has fewer recalls at 57, which may suggest better overall reliability. However, it does have a slightly higher rate of owner complaints at 17.3 per 10,000 sold. Choose the Bronco-Sport if you value a balance between reliability and addressing fewer major issues.

Ford Bronco-Sport vs Jeep Wrangler: Common Questions

Is the Ford Bronco-Sport more reliable than the Jeep Wrangler?: Based on our data, the Ford Bronco-Sport is more reliable with an average score of 65/100 compared to 61/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Ford Bronco-Sport or the Jeep Wrangler?: The Jeep Wrangler has more recalls (94) compared to the Ford Bronco-Sport (57). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Bronco-Sport or the Jeep Wrangler?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Jeep Wrangler has a lower complaint rate at 15.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 17.3 for the Ford Bronco-Sport. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Ford Bronco-Sport comparisons

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More Jeep Wrangler comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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