193 of the
2,031 complaints filed about the Ford Bronco Sport
are about the other systems —
100% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2021.
The A/C condensate drain valve on the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport features a severe engineering defect that causes water to back up directly into the passenger cabin. The soft rubber "duckbill" drain valve is sandwiched blindly behind a tight underbody exhaust heat shield. Normal exhaust heat causes the rubber valve to stick permanently shut, turning the HVAC assembly into a water tank. Additionally, factory carpet insulation is wedged tightly against the internal housing, pinching the line shut.Safety Risk & Hazards:When the drain fails, large volumes of water flood the interior passenger floorboards. This water pools directly over sensitive electrical wiring harnesses and modules located beneath the dash, creating a severe risk of electrical shorts, sudden component failure, or a vehicle fire. Furthermore, the backed-up water completely saturates the cabin air filter and window defroster system, causing sudden, severe windshield fogging while driving, which severely impairs driver visibility.
NHTSA complaint #11763939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The APIM completely failed disabling my rear back up camera. Ford had a know issue with this car model that they issued a customer satisfaction program that has expired but the systems are still failing and they are refusing to replace and address.
NHTSA complaint #11762794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was stranded on the side of the road due to a routine tire puncture on the morning of Sept. 5, 2026. I immediately called AAA for emergency roadside assistance. AAA explicitly informed me that their safety policy prevents them from plugging tires on the roadside, however they offered to change the flat out for my spare tire. When I went to the trunk to look for the spare tire, I discovered that there was no spare tire, wheel jack or lug wrench in the vehicle. The manufacturer had entirely omitted this essential safety equipment, replacing it with a chemical sealant and inflator kit. Realizing I was stranded in a dangerous area with zero physical means to replace the wheel left me immediately shocked, frightened and highly vulnerable on a busy road. The inadequacy of this setup was later validated by the dealership’s manager who admitted he suffered the exact same issue in a similar Ford vehicle and had to pay more than $500 out of pocket because the inflator kit failed him. He also informed me Ford is not the only company to implement this seriously flawed equipment elimination policy. Substituting liquid foam for a physical wheel assembly under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards is a critical public safety hazard that leaves motorists defenseless.
NHTSA complaint #11762418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On [XXX], my 2022 Ford Bronco Sport was stationary under my residential carport. I was seated in the front passenger seat with the passenger door open. I reached across and depressed the brake pedal with my hand and pressed the engine Start/Stop button. I did NOT touch or move the rotary gear selector before starting the vehicle. Immediately after the vehicle started, it unexpectedly began moving backward. I reached over and moved the gear selector to PARK to stop the vehicle. Before I was able to stop it, the open passenger door was caught and bent backward, causing damage to the vehicle. I did not intentionally select REVERSE or command the vehicle to move backward. I am reporting this because I am concerned that an unintended transmission/gear-selection or electronic control malfunction allowed the vehicle to move backward upon startup without Reverse being selected. VIN: [XXX] I am requesting that this incident be documented and evaluated as a potential vehicle safety defect involving unintended vehicle movement. Insurance claim will be filed for damage. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11761508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2026 Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquatch edition with less than three-thousand miles that we purchased brand new had a major transmission failure and was rendered inoperable. The Bronco Sport transmission pan cracked and the gasket failed upon driving home from a routine, ten minute trip to the grocery store resulting in sudden loss of transmission fluid. The transmission fluid blew all over the engine compartment when this occurred The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership where it remains as of today (one week after the incident occurred). The issue has been confirmed by the Ford dealer. There were zero warning lamps or messages, but there was a smell of something burning. When the vehicle was parked, fluid poured out on the garage floor and continued to leak until it was put on a tow truck. We have a case number with Ford and are trying to see if there is an option for Ford to buy the vehicle back or to work with us on replacing it due to the incident and the vehicle being approximately two months old. Had we been driving at highway speed or were further from home, this could have resulted in an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11761016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RDU CLUTCH FAILURE Vehicle shutter at low speeds and during deceleration. Issue diagnosed after I had the vehicle inspected by ford dealership Ford TSB for this issue is 26-2328. I believe recall 21S02 should have been expanded to include more. My car was not manufactured during the dates listed for that recall. Ford parts have now switched manufacturers for the RDU CLUTCH which is now on back order. I suspect this issue may be related to the large amounts of PCM software issues ford has had with these vehicles and I believe this RDU failure was from faulty parts. No warning lights
NHTSA complaint #11756436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oil pump solenoid has been replaced 3 times and the vehicle is under 100,000 miles. There is a low oil light illuminates on dash board in addition to acceleration lose and a white smoke coming from under the hood and the back end of the vehicle. The 6th or 7th time this happened the Bronco had to be towed. There were many more problems included in this tow, powertrain failure, engine misfire, loss of power, crackling, popping sound from under the hood.
NHTSA complaint #11756393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting ongoing infotainment and electrical failures in two 2024 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles (same trim), unresolved after two years of ownership on both. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto frequently freezes, disconnects, or becomes unresponsive while driving, forcing the driver to interact with the screen to restore functionality — a distraction hazard that can cause loss of navigation or hands-free operation while driving, increasing collision risk. Recovery often requires powering the vehicle off for several minutes. The center display screen also becomes hot to the touch during normal use, and the wireless charging pad overheats connected phones after 10–30 minutes, suggesting a hardware thermal design defect, not a software/app compatibility issue. Both vehicles have been to the dealership multiple times; only brief diagnostic scans were performed, with no reproduction of the overheating and no repair. Staff repeatedly claim they are "waiting on an iOS update," which does not explain hardware symptoms like screen heat or the multi-minute power-cycle required. Ford's 2025–2026 Bronco Sport received major hardware/software upgrades (larger screens, updated SYNC, standard wireless CarPlay), consistent with a redesign — leaving 2024-and-earlier owners stuck with hardware Ford has since replaced, with no recall or retrofit offered. Separately, Ford's July 2025 recall (25S76) for cracked fuel injectors/underhood fire risk on 2021–2024 Bronco Sport has only received an interim software alert update; the permanent hardware fix remains incomplete. This pattern of infotainment instability, overheating, and an unresolved fire-risk recall reflects unaddressed hardware/design defects warranting investigation.
NHTSA complaint #11756497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car began experiencing overheating and kept disabling 4WD while I was driving, smoke began to come out of the front hood and tailpipe. Took to repair shop and they stated my transfer case and harness was burned completely with unknown reason why this could occur. I see there is a recall for other bronco models for the same exact issue
NHTSA complaint #11755195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Information panel warning lights on dash or wiring system short I was driving at a slow speed and without warning my hood flies up and shatters the windshield and truck flies open dropping all my luggage out
NHTSA complaint #11754239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was in another town and my car kept stalling. I was going across traffic and it stalled and almost caused an accident. When I was in a parking lot my car would not go in reverse. I had to be pushed out of the parking space. I have already went to the have this recall fixed once. I know the part is not available but I should not have to keep going every few months to keep getting this done on a vehicle that I am paying on. It is not reliable and I could have caused an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11751319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This is not a complaint against the dealership, but against the individual that was in charge of compliance. I am an attorney in Maine and it started with the fact that under main law, a dealer has to give two keys and if they don’t have it for free calibrated, and I got one key in the master key was not given, and there was issues with that and the compliance guy and finance a warranty guy whose name I forget, but they know who he is cause I’ve talked to them. He told me he had never heard of it and I showed him the statute and I just didn’t argue but then February 7 six days after the recall for the 25V685000 engine block heater, recall compliance date was over with the first visit that occurred of cooling overheating because of that and I know about the recall from researching it, but this compliance finance warranty guy search his computer, so he looked like even though it’s the second one that pops up on my vin and lied to my face saying that there’s no recall about coolant systems and heater blocks, and not liking to be pissed on and until it’s raining I just said OK so it’s another problem occurs and there is a recall. You do understand that I like the family that owns this place. I’m going to come after you because if there’s any engine damage or whatever you have. To comply with recalls, and I didn’t let him know I knew about it.. well 30 days after suspension of my license when my boat battery goes down, I will clean the boat both cars sitting in the parking lot to start driving it and I turned on the coolant overheating again and as the heater block does cause a crack I fixed crack please do not come down with the dealership. It’s only a good family. Please ask for the Man office straight out the door with gray hair. That’s the one that I’m don’t know what I’m talking about. I don’t know if he has any license or anything, but he should be fined if anybody. Because there are two incidences because it was their opportunity to cure under law 7 of Feb 1st
NHTSA complaint #11749844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
All my husband purchases is mainly Fords and he has for over 20 years. The last 3 Fords we have purchases from years 2019-2025 have had the same issues. My husband had a 2019 Ford Escape that broke down on us in the mountains. Had to have transmission replaced twice before 100,000 miles. Then he got a 2020 escape and same thing plus a motor replaced..now I have a 2022 bronco sport outer banks and they claim I need transmission replaced and rear end differential. I was quoted $15,000. That is almost as much as my car is worth. I am outside the "warranty" window. The dealership was rude about it because we didnt purchase our Ford with them directly stating they are loyal to their customers who purchase with them first. We have been loyal to ford for so long and now losing faith! I can in no way possible afford that much money! I bought it because I thought it was the safe option for my daughter and for me taking her to school. This car is not safe to drive at all! I had to drive it home from dealership because I cant afford to fix it and now I am without. How am I suppose to drive my kid to school in something that is shaking and grinding like that? This is not the first ford we have had to do it but we remain loyal!
NHTSA complaint #11749196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The first incident was the car shifting to park while I was trying to reverse it said “system shift fault” I called ford they told me that since it wasnt coming back on I was okay to drive it hadn’t come back on so I didn’t get the diagnostic done due to not having a vehicle to use while it was being done. The second one I parked and again went to reverse and what popped up was “gear selected will engage at low speed” but as soon as I turned my car off and back on the vehicle was able to reverse and drive normally.
NHTSA complaint #11747571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STILL NO REMEDY AND THIS HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AGO!!! Jul 16,2025 Manufacturer Recall Number 25S76 NHTSA Recall Number 25V467 Recall Status Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary ON YOUR VEHICLE THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A FUEL INJECTOR MAY CRACK, WHICH MAY RESULT IN FUEL ACCUMULATING ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. Safety Risk LIQUID FUEL ANDOR FUEL VAPOR THAT ACCUMULATES NEAR A HOT SURFACE, SUCH AS HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST COMPONENTS MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #11744520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
Vehicle's "infotainment center" is totally dead. No backup camera & I am disabled, have great difficulty turning around to see when I back up (I've had a cervicle spinal fusion which limits my field of vision). Dealer states no other complaints & Ford cannot provide a fix for even just the backup camera problem until Oct.
NHTSA complaint #11742886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN. RECALL was issued nearly a year ago with no other information or repairs scheduled. The recall seems pretty dangerous to not be addressed for this long.
NHTSA complaint #11742720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I checked my front right and left steering knuckles and saw they are very badly rusted I bought the vehicle new Jan 20 2026 I noticed this when I checked on the recent Ford recall 26S36 I took photos of both right and left front knuckles with the front suspension arm assembly. Both are rusted
NHTSA complaint #11742487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.