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EnginePart report

2021 Ford Bronco Sport Engine Problems

Complaints
152about this part
Share
21%of 711 total for the year
Median mileage
49,350miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 152 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, 21% of the 711 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,350 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 10 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While driving the vehicle the warning system activated and the entire car shut down. I was stranded in an intersection of a busy street during a heavy traffic period. I was unable to start the vehicle, use my hazards, or put the car in neutral to push it to a safe location.”

NHTSA complaint #11506114, filed 2023-02, 36,101 miles

“this has happened twice to me. First time, I was driving around a roundabout - and the engine kicked off and there were a lot of alerts across the screen. I was safely able to coast off the road and onto the side where I sat for a little bit trying to restart it. After pushing the start button several times - it started back up and I was on my way. Most recently, last week - I was driving on the highway and the engine died and so many alerts were going across the screen. I couldn't pay much attention to the errors because a semi almost rammed my back end. …”

NHTSA complaint #11502129, filed 2023-01, 3,000 miles

“My 2021 Bronco failed our family on Friday. The Bronco failed to start upon pressing the start and brake pedal. The main console panel started flashing then cycling through all kinds of failure alerts. There was a series loud noises from the engine, the headlights flashed off and on for over 3 minutes and then the engine started smoking. The doors would not open and we were stuck inside while the engine was smoking. That smoke came through the air vents as well. Finally, I was able to get my door open though couldn’t open my son’s rear passenger side door from the outside. …”

NHTSA complaint #11549110, filed 2023-10, 28,296 miles

“I was driving in Atlanta in 4 lanes of heavy traffic. My new Bronco just started slowing down and I was almost killed by traffic swerving around me. The message said deactivated switch and fuel injector faulty. Then Bronco completely stopped and would not crank. 100 degree heat in bad part of town. Stranded and scared. After being towed, the deactivated switch replaced in Ford dealership in Georgia. No loaner given. After 2 weeks at my expense, I get car back. 2 months later it happens again. Now, it’s in dealership for third time for 2 more weeks. Waiting to hear what’s wrong. …”

NHTSA complaint #11478195, filed 2022-08, 4,000 miles

“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, filed 2026-08

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026113%
2025718%
20242723%
20233823%
20228322%
202115221%

Other parts of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

Electrical system
212 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
191 complaintsBrakes
127 complaintsFuel system
123 complaintsOther or unknown
101 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
26 complaintsEngine cooling
24 complaintsSuspension
24 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsForward collision avoidance
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology