Ford Bronco Sport brake problems, 2021–2026
199 of the 1,368 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Bronco Sport 2021–2026 name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). The loudest years: 2021 (128), 2022 (51), 2023 (10). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 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 brake 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 brakes | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 3 | 8% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 7 | 6% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 10 | 6% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 in depth | 51 | 14% | — | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 128 | 18% | 9k | 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 brakes. Nothing here is a rate.
When the brake complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2021: 1 · 2022: 49 · 2023: 51 · 2024: 48 · 2025: 38 · 2026: 12
Across the model years, half of the 49 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 4,000 and 20,000 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 brakes, 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.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that the rear brake was making abnormal squealing sounds while reversing. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who took the rear brake apart and diagnosed that no issues were found.
There is already a recall issued for the brakes, but Ford has yet to come up with a remedy
After sitting overnight, in reverse gear/backing out, you hear grinding noise from the rear brakes. It sounds as if the rear caliper(s) are binding on the rotors(s). Ford dealers said it”s normal, no It’s not! Going forward the noise stops
The vehicle's brakes consistently make a loud noise when in reverse. Dealer saw no issue
The transmission and/or shift-by-wire control system appears to have failed. While the vehicle was in motion, the system engaged “Park” and remained stuck in this position. The vehicle immediately became immobilized and could not be shifted out of Park. The vehicle remained locked in Park for 3 weeks.
What is on file about the brakes, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 23V021000 HighJan 23, 2023 · 801 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Bronco Sport vehicles. Valves inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module may have been damaged during manufacturing, causing an internal ABS module leak.
- 21V922000 HighNov 23, 2021 · 114,666 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles. The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
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 brake complaints?
2021, 128; 2022, 51; 2023, 10. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2021 (18%).
Is there a recall for the brakes on the Ford Bronco Sport?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 23V021000 (2023), 21V922000 (2022). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the Ford Bronco Sport?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 9,202 miles across the model years; half of them between 4,000 and 20,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.