2022 Ford Bronco Sport Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2022 Bronco Sport most often report electrical and fuel-system problems: 12-volt battery failures that leave the vehicle unable to start or cause a loss of power while driving, and fuel smells or fuel leaks tied to the 1.5L engine's injectors. A second cluster of complaints involves transmission shudder or failure and rear brake noise when reversing, and many reports arrive at 20,000-60,000 miles, often a few years into ownership.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   12-volt battery fails, no-start and loss of power

   • 89 complaints (24%)
   • median 37,600 mi at 3.3 yrs old (31 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $7,711 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle refusing to start or stalling while driving, sometimes with several warning lights and messages such as 'Charging System Service Now' or a low-voltage warning. Dealers commonly diagnosed a failed 12-volt battery and replaced it; some owners say the failure returned after replacement or that the parts were on backorder, and a few mention that a prior battery-related recall repair did not end the problem. Reported from about 8,000 to 62,000 miles, with many under 40,000 miles.

   Recall 25V019000Recall 24V267000Recall 25V158000

   What to check: Ask whether the 12-volt battery has been replaced and whether the battery-monitor recalls (24V267000 / 25V158000) were completed. Have the charging system and battery state of charge checked before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the low battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined that the 12-volt battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,600.”

   NHTSA complaint #11614251, filed 2024-09, 37,600 miles

   “The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that the dealer had previously repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V267000 (Electrical System, Power Train); however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle required a jumpstart to start, and while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine and another unknown warning light were illuminated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11639632, filed 2025-01, 38,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell in cabin or engine bay (1.5L)

   • 90 complaints (24%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe a strong fuel or exhaust odor inside the cabin while idling, at stops, or with the vents on, sometimes with a brief check-engine light. Some owners also report rough running, a chugging noise, or hesitation under acceleration, and several mention waiting on parts for a fuel-injector recall; dealers in some cases found a cracked injector or purge valve, and others said they could not detect the odor. Mostly reported between about 18,000 and 70,000 miles, often noticed at idle or when the heater or vents are in use.

   Recall 25V467000Recall 25V165000Recall 24V187000Recall 22V859000Recall 22V787000Recall 21V6250001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Run the engine and sniff for fuel odors near the injectors and inside the cabin, and confirm whether the fuel-injector recall (25V467000 or its earlier versions) has been performed and the parts actually installed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that while turning and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was slow to respond. There was a lag before the vehicle accelerated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11687408, filed 2025-09, 36,000 miles

   “The contact's daughter owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle App displayed a Restraint Control System warning message. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V686000 (Exterior Lighting) and 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11518691, filed 2023-04, 8,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Rear brake noise and grinding in reverse

   • 43 complaints (12%)
   • median 12,500 mi at 2.2 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe a loud squeal, squeak or grinding from the rear while reversing, sometimes with the brakes unable to stop the vehicle promptly. Dealers diagnosed worn or improperly made rear pads and rotors or brake clips and replaced them, and some owners were told the noise was a common, known condition with parts not yet available. Mostly reported at low mileage, often under 15,000 miles, and consistently in reverse.

   Recall 21V922000

   What to check: Reverse slowly in a quiet spot and listen for squealing or grinding from the rear; ask for brake service records and confirm the rear brake lining recall (21V922000) was addressed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while reversing there was a squealing and grinding sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine to cause of the squealing sound. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11546620, filed 2023-09, 10,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle, there was an abnormal loud squeaking sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of an unknown TSB related to the failure. The failure mileage was 4,600.”

   NHTSA complaint #11514010, filed 2023-03, 4,600 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, harsh shifts or failure

   • 113 complaints (31%)
   • median 40,500 mi at 3.5 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $10,000 (median of 12 quotes)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners report shuddering or chatter at low speeds, harsh or delayed shifts, hesitation when accelerating, and in some cases a loud pop followed by the loss of forward or reverse drive. Dealers attempted software reflashes and road tests, and in several complaints the transmission or clutch was replaced; a few owners say the dealer attributed debris inside the unit to off-road driving. Spread from about 18,000 to 121,000 miles, with many reports in the 30,000-50,000 mile range.

   Recall 25V158000Recall 24V2670008 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive at low speed and on light throttle to feel for shudder or hesitation, and ask whether any transmission software updates or repairs have been done, ideally with service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I take very good care of my car and I purchased it brand new in July of 2022. Out of nowhere a few days ago I had my car slipping of gear and won’t go forward or backwards and then my car proceeded to have the service light pop on and then my check engine light. I do not have all of the diagnostics back yet, but they did say it was transmission related. My car isn’t even 2 1/2 years old. It should not be running into issues out of no where like this.”

   NHTSA complaint #11623518, filed 2024-11, 108,076 miles

   “The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure associated with the recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11761912, filed 2026-09, 41,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Coolant loss and engine overheating

   • 36 complaints (10%)
   • median 53,000 mi at 3.1 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe coolant leaking, an empty coolant reservoir, an overheating alert, white smoke and a coolant odor from the engine bay. Dealers replaced the coolant pump or water pump in several cases, and some also reported a cracked oil separator housing leaking oil; a few owners said the leak returned after repair. Reported from about 28,000 to 70,000 miles, often noticed during routine service or after an overheating warning.

   Recall 22V1910002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue or staining around the coolant pump and oil separator housing, and ask whether either has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while having the vehicle serviced at the dealer, the contact was informed that the engine was leaking coolant. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11617192, filed 2024-09, 60,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that on every occasion while entering the vehicle, there was a fuel odor coming through the vents. The check engine warning light illuminated briefly during one occasion. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer twice and was diagnosed with a cracked coolant pump. The dealer determined that the coolant pump and the purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11700758, filed 2025-11, 70,000 miles

Buying note. Check that the fuel-injector, battery-monitor and rear-brake recalls for this year were actually completed with parts installed, since several owners report waiting or repeat failures. A pre-purchase inspection focused on the battery and charging system, rear brakes, transmission behavior and coolant leaks is worthwhile.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.