ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My bronco caught on fire while I was driving it down the road. It only had 40k miles on it.
NHTSA complaint #11763504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
355 of the 2,031 complaints filed about the Ford Bronco Sport are about the electrical system — 100% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2021.
355
Complaints
100%
Share of all complaints
6
Crashes
17
Fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My bronco caught on fire while I was driving it down the road. It only had 40k miles on it.
NHTSA complaint #11763504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving downhill on the freeway with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the transmission independently shifted into neutral, the vehicle lost power, and failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and shifted back into drive. The contact exited the freeway, and the vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact stated that the word “CANCEL” in orange was displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The engine had seized but was operating under reduced power.
NHTSA complaint #11763116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I had recalls for body control module and power train control module calibration updates. i took it to my ford dealership on august 12th, 2026 they had it done with within the day i picked it up. within a week after (i don’t drive my car much just to work mostly) i had an error come up on my dash saying the powertrain control had failed and i was unable to put my car in park. i immediately called the dealership they asked me to bring it back in. they ended up giving me a loaner vehicle and was with out my car for 2 weeks before I called and asked for an update. they said they were so sorry the transmission was compromised and i was going to have to pay $11,500 for a new one. I had never had issues with my transmission before bringing it in for my recalls to be addressed. i am still without my car and figuring out what to do next.
NHTSA complaint #11762943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle bucks and runs really rough. I believe it has to do with the open recall that has NOT yet been fixed. The fuel MPGs, xxx miles to empty, etc seems to all be affected. The dealer won't do anything about it. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I'd say it's safe to drive, just not riding that great. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? They say and act like nothing is wrong. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? See above, they say nothing is wrong. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No but the issues didn't start until they worked on a repair from us trying to avoid something in the middle of the road and we hit it.
NHTSA complaint #11762057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I purchased a new 2024 Ford Bronco Sport on XXX from Sayville Ford in [XXX]. They failed to disclose an unremedied safety recall (24V-267) on the vehicle that was issued on XXX and still sold me the vehicle. When I went back to them after seeing that there was a recall on the car, they denied the existence of the recall despite me showing them the recall notice on both the NHTSA and Ford websites. Last year there was another safety recall for leaking fuel injectors (25V-467) that I brought my car in for service, and they claimed to have done a software fix. Upon checking the recall checked on the NHTSA website (6 months after service) it lists that the safety recall work was never performed, despite the dealership keeping my car for the entire day and telling me the work was performed. This dealership has been evasive and deceptive when I have confronted them about these issues and should be examined and fined for their practices. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11757676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Pre-Collision System warning activated unexpectedly. The vehicle then accelerated by itself unexpectedly and the accelerator/throttle was engaged by itself. Breaks were then hard to push and vertically impossible to slow down. At the time, there was no vehicle or obstruction immediately around the vehicle other than a possible box, or small obstruction in the road. Yes the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Due to the unexpected activation of the pre-collision system followed by unexpected acceleration by itself, caused the vehicle to move unexpectedly and resulted in a collision with another vehicle, creating a safety risk to the occupants of both vehicles. No. The problem has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. No. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or any other party. The police did come to the accident and a police report was filed. Yes. The vehicle's Pre-Collision System warning activated unexpectedly immediately prior to the incident. There were no other known warning lamps or messages before the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated by itself and collided with another vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11757261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle was slowing down after leaving a stop light and within a short distance completely shut down no lights no power nothing wouldnt start to put in neutral so we can get it from the middle of traffic on a 2 lane highway. After about 15 minutes of trying to see what the issues was it turned over and we put the car in gear and pushed ot to the side of the road
NHTSA complaint #11757286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am reporting a safety concern involving the transmission in my 2022 Ford Bronco Sport equipped with the 1.5L engine and 8-speed automatic transmission (8F35). I purchased this vehicle new in May 2022 with approximately 6 miles on it. At approximately 83,000 miles, the vehicle displayed a “Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power” warning through FordPass. The notification stated that a transmission clutch had not applied within the expected amount of time and warned that I may experience limited functionality, including unavailable gears. I took the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealership, All Star Ford Denham Springs, for diagnosis. On August 4, 2026, the dealership informed me in writing that the vehicle has an internal transmission failure and metal in the transmission fluid. The technician determined that the transmission requires complete replacement. I was subsequently quoted approximately $13,000 for the repair. I am concerned that an internal transmission failure of this nature could result in reduced propulsion, unavailable gears, abnormal shifting, or loss of vehicle mobility, particularly if the failure occurs while the vehicle is being driven. Thus being it did fail in the middle of a highway with the gas pedal no longer working. The car was then towed to the dealership and would not even go into neutral to remove the car from the trailer I am requesting that NHTSA review this failure and determine whether similar transmission/clutch failures are occurring in other 2022 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with the 8F35 transmission and whether this represents a broader safety defect. Ford has previously issued Customer Satisfaction Program 22B38 involving certain 2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with the 8F35 transmission. That program described a manufacturing issue involving a transmission clutch component and a potential long-term durability concern. I understand that my vehicle has not been confirmed to be included in that program
NHTSA complaint #11755823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1. The Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) module and/or the front passenger-side suspension components failed, causing a complete loss of steering control and an un-commanded, continuous violent pull to the right. Yes, the vehicle and all malfunctioning components are completely intact and available for immediate inspection upon request. 2. Safety was put at extreme risk during highway speeds. The vehicle violently and continuously swerved directly toward the right-hand passenger side. There were 5 total occupants in the SUV, including my daughter-in-law and my three young grandchildren. My [XXX] granddaughter was strapped in a car seat directly next to that right passenger door, placing her in the immediate impact zone of a high-speed crash hazard. I had to physically fight the locked steering wheel with extreme physical force to prevent a catastrophic collision. 3. Not yet. The incident just occurred on XXX, and the vehicle is fundamentally unsafe to operate. It is currently parked and waiting to be transported via a professional flatbed tow truck to Murgado Ford of Chicago for a full mechanical and software diagnostic teardown. I have not yet contacted the dealership because they were unavailable on August 1 and closed on XXX 4. No. The vehicle is currently parked in a safe location in front of my home and has not yet been touched or inspected by any outside parties, police, insurance representatives, or the manufacturer. 5. No. There were absolutely no warning lamps, error messages, dashboard lights, strange noises, or any other symptoms prior to the failure. This catastrophic loss of control happened completely out of nowhere at highway speeds, and nothing like this has ever happened to this vehicle before. Crucially my lane keeping assist feature was manually turned off when this happened, meaning the vehicle overrode the settings to violently pull me to the right. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11754307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I've had a Blindspot warning light alert, told by dealership this is an electrical issue, after a web search, I see this is a common and known issue for Ford, yet no recall has been issued. I also have another know, common powertrain issue with my rear differential. The vehicle makes noise when turning, unstable when driving. The vehicle is less than 5yrs old and under 60k miles. Both issues are safety issues and could cause an electrical fires or vehicle stalling. I am scheduled for a 2nd inspection on 7/31 and hopefully repair.
NHTSA complaint #11753350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owned a 2024 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving into the driveway and coming to a complete stop, the contact became aware of steam coming from underneath the hood and believed that the engine was overheating. No warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel prior to the vehicle catching on fire. The contact and his wife were inside the vehicle were in the vehicle during the failure. The driver and the passenger exited the vehicle safely. There was grey and white odorless smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire originated in the engine compartment. There was significant concrete damage to the driveway and a tree by the residence. The fire was extinguished by the local Fire Department. A fire report was filed but was unavailable. No police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. No injuries were sustained. The leasing company of the vehicle was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000.
NHTSA complaint #11753141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Fuel system issues. Current recall has been since July of 2025 with NO FIX AVAILABLE. Engine light has been on and off for two months now with mobile app giving warning but there is no way to fix the issue as of now, and not since the Recall was issued almost a year ago. Bronco has not started up again on multiple occasions after getting fuel. Also has a very strong smell of fuel vapor/fuel at every deceleration or stop making it hard to breathe inside vehicle, as well hurting our chest and head to inhale inside the cabin of vehicle. Bronco is beginning to cut out while driving and/or when coming to a stop. We have a small child and are in fear of a serious malfunction or fire, and are concerned of the fumes we are constantly ingesting while driving vehicle. That on top of the risk of car cutting out at a bad time or catching on fire while driving is causing us to want to trade it in/get rid of it but we need a vehicle to get back and forth to work and get our child to school. We need something done to get a different vehicle that’s safe for our family/child. I am a disabled veteran that feels helpless with my wife and child using this vehicle every day. I’m scared for their safety more than anything else.
NHTSA complaint #11744018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am reporting ongoing electrical and infotainment system failures in my 2024 Ford Bronco Sport that present a potential safety risk to the driver and others on the road. The vehicle’s infotainment system, specifically Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, does not operate reliably. Connections frequently fail, freeze, disconnect, or become unresponsive during normal driving. When this occurs, navigation, hands‑free communication, and other driver‑assistance functions become unavailable or require repeated attempts to reconnect. This malfunction creates a driver distraction hazard, as the driver is compelled to look at and interact with the center display while the vehicle is in motion in an attempt to restore CarPlay functionality. Loss of navigation guidance or hands‑free operation while driving may increase the risk of a collision. In addition, the wireless charging pad causes excessive heat buildup. After approximately 10–30 minutes of continuous contact, mobile devices become abnormally hot, and the infotainment display screen itself also becomes noticeably hot to the touch. This suggests a potential thermal management or hardware design defect. Overheating electronics raise concerns about equipment damage, device shutdown, or further system instability while driving. The vehicle has been taken to a Ford dealership multiple times for these issues. The dealership performed only brief diagnostic scans and did not attempt to reproduce the overheating condition under real‑world operating time. No repairs or corrective actions were performed, and the issues remain unresolved. Based on repeated failures, overheating, and lack of corrective action, I believe this may be a design or hardware specification issue affecting the infotainment and charging systems, rather than an isolated incident. The combination of infotainment instability, overheating, and driver distraction presents a potential safety concern that warrants investigation.
NHTSA complaint #11744032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle is experiencing powertrain performance issues, including a persistent stutter, vehicle shuddering, and erratic RPM jumping while driving at 45-55 mph. These symptoms began immediately following the latest software flash in January 2026 and have progressively gotten worse. An Independent mechanic and a transmission specialist have inspected the vehicle and are unable to resolve the issue because no diagnostic trouble codes are being generated. There is a safety and engineering concern that the continuous reprogramming of the PCM & BCM has altered the vehicle’s operations outside of its initial factory design parameters. The vehicle has suffered an immediate drop in performance and fuel economy. In June 2026, I received another notification about Recall 25S76, not being completed yet by Sam Leman Ford. After several attempts to reach someone, I called an authorized secondary Ford dealership, Heller in Bloomington, who pulled the VIN data and stated they could not verify if the 25S76 recall was properly completed by the original servicing dealer. It seems as if there is a tracking failure on the manufacturer's side. While she stated there were notes by a service tech for mobile repair, the fact that I got another notification about the same recall’s intermediate repair not being completed, that signified to her it may not have been. Heller Ford stated the only way to know, is to attempt a 4th PCM reprogramming. If the manufacturer rejects the warranty reimbursement, the cost of the diagnostic labor hours will be billed to me. Consumers should not be held financially responsible for verifying faulty manufacturer documentation, nor should software patches be used as a substitute for replacing a physically defective, fire-prone component. By allowing the manufacturer to alter the vehicle's electrical and powertrain architecture rather than mandating a hardware replacement, consumers are left driving vehicles with degraded performance and an active hazards.
NHTSA complaint #11743680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2026 Bronco SportDescription Your vehicle may display a blank instrument panel cluster ipc screen upon startup. This may occur when the vehicle is restarted within a specific time interval after turning the vehicle off. Safety Risk A blank ipc screen will prevent the driver from seeing critical vehicle information such as the speedometer, warning lights, and warning messages. The inability to see this information increases the risk of a crash. Remedy Software is now available to repair your vehicle. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to update the instrument panel cluster free of charge. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service. NOTE: Recall incomplete Recall service not available right now. We have a remedy but parts are not available right now. We will inform you when the service is available. Or, you can contact your dealer.
NHTSA complaint #11743715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving my 2024 Bronco Sport, my car started stalling, power was being lost, got stuck on railroad tracks, lights on dash board of icons appeared & engine was shutting down mid drive with no warning or issues. 13,500 miles on the car
NHTSA complaint #11743378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Purchased a Ford Bronco Sport brand new in 2021. I received a recall notice for my bronco sport last July. I took my vehicle to the Ford dealership and they told me there was no remedy available. The recall states that my vehicle could catch on fire and crash at any time while I’m driving it. Ford still does not have a remedy almost a year later and they don’t know when they will have one. They don’t have parts even though my VIN number is affected. Ford expects me to risk my life and the life of my passengers, who happen to be my grandsons, by driving this vehicle on a daily basis. At any time, my car can catch on fire because of the fuel injector recall. I filed a claim with the Ford buyback program, but was denied because my vehicle warranty has expired. The recall didn’t even come out until after my warranty had expired. Recall info: Campaign 25S76/25V467
NHTSA complaint #11743285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On XXX, driving at a relatively low rate of speed coming off the on-ramp from [XXX] onto [XXX], the hood of our Thrifty rental vehicle, a 2024 Ford Bronco, suddenly and without warning, flew up and completely obstructed the windshield. As we had just entered the highway we were quite fortunate to have been in the right hand lane and able to safely pull into the breakdown lane. And even more fortunate that there were not cars immediately ahead or behind us that we could have hit. And third, very fortunate that the force of the hood did not shatter the windshield. The hood flew up with such force that it essentially "wedged" itself into the side edges of the car and had to be manually dislodged to be closed. Some tube or coil-like structure on the right side of the car had been split in two by the force (later learned this was the windshield wiper fluid hose). Two other points of importance - it was very windy that day. And there was absolutely no warning on the dashboard system that the hood was ajar or anything to that effect. We drove at a very low rate of speed to the next exit to find a service station where the car could be inspected before driving the 3 hours on to [XXX]. The mechanic stated the problem had been with the hood latch, but it appeared safe for us to drive. On returning the car to Thrifty, a verbal report was immediately given, but it seemed strange to me that no paperwork was filled out. The woman processing cars wrote down "windshield wiper hose" and left to move some vehicles. I waited for about 10 minutes, but she didn't return. Research upon my return home revealed similar problems reported with other Ford Broncos - both with the hood opening unexpectedly while driving and with faulty dashboard warning systems. [XXX] I was contacted by Thrifty's 3rd party vendor handling "damage incidents" - PurCo and related these events. They claim Thrifty sees no problem on their end. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11743267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. While the contact’s girlfriend was driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled. During the failure, the exterior lighting became inoperable, and several messages were displayed, including the message "No Key Detected". After exiting the vehicle, the doors locked and could not be unlocked. The child and child car seat located in the rear seat of the vehicle were manually shifted to the front driver’s side door and removed from the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,000.
NHTSA complaint #11742318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We have been waiting for this solution to this recall and it’s made my family nervous to have vehicles that can catch fire at any point Our mental health has suffered
NHTSA complaint #11741992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.