Ford Bronco Sport engine problems, 2021–2026
341 of the 1,368 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Bronco Sport 2021–2026 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2021 (176), 2022 (89), 2023 (39). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford Bronco Sport engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 29% | — | 3 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2025 | 9 | 24% | — | 10 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2024 | 26 | 24% | — | 15 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 39 | 25% | — | 17 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 in depth | 89 | 25% | 46k | 24 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 176 | 25% | 52k | 32 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2022: 26 · 2023: 43 · 2024: 87 · 2025: 78 · 2026: 107
Across the model years, half of the 81 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 19,000 and 70,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Per Master Tech Bo at CamelBack Ford in Phoenix, AZ - He stated he had a 2021 Bronco Sport in his shop for 3 months with the same issue mine has had now 3 times and mine has been "Repaired" twice. He could not find out why the vehicle was stalling/losing power while in motion.
The car started chugging check engine light came on car studdered before actually turning over
Water pump cracks allow coolant to leak out thus overheating engine on open highway
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
The vehicle shifted into NEUTRAL and the Park Break engaged while driving in Eco Mode at 25-30 mph. This incident happened twice prior to the following incident and within minutes apart. Parked and exited the vehicle for about 10 minutes. Entered vehicle, applied the break and ENGINE START button, vehicle did not start.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V548000 HighAug 25, 2026 · 10,001 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
- 26V122000 HighMar 3, 2026 · 47,804 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
- 25V372000 CriticalJun 3, 2025 · 404 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Escape, and 2025 Bronco Sport vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
- 22V191000 HighMar 25, 2022 · 345,451 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.
Other systems with a record on the Ford Bronco Sport
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Ford Bronco Sport problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford Bronco Sport years have the most engine complaints?
2021, 176; 2022, 89; 2023, 39. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (29%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Ford Bronco Sport?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V548000 (2026), 26V122000 (2025), 25V372000 (2025), 22V191000 (2022). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Ford Bronco Sport?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 46,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 19,000 and 70,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.