2021 Ford Bronco Sport Engine Problems
Owners have filed 151 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, 21% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 49,350 miles. The words owners use most often: “fuel injector” (8% of reports).
- 151engine complaints
- 49,350median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Fuel injector: mentioned in 12 of 151 complaints (8%)
- Motive power: mentioned in 10 of 151 complaints (7%)
- Tow truck: mentioned in 10 of 151 complaints (7%)
- Water pump: mentioned in 8 of 151 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 34 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 151 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 10 a fire.
Ford Bronco Sport engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Bronco Sport | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2025 Bronco Sport | 7 | 18% | — |
| 2024 Bronco Sport | 24 | 22% | 23,099 |
| 2023 Bronco Sport | 37 | 23% | 25,000 |
| 2022 Bronco Sport | 81 | 22% | 19,346 |
| 2021 Bronco Sport | 151 | 21% | 49,350 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication
Problem: 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.
Risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the oil separator for damage or oil leaks, and replace the oil separator and seals, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S21.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
My vehicle is subject to open NHTSA recall 25S76 regarding a fuel injector that may crack and cause fuel to accumulate on top of the engine near hot surfaces, creating a fire risk. This recall was identified months ago, but Ford has stated parts are not currently available and no repair date has…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle lost automotive power while driving and while stopped and idling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle required several restarts before…
Continue to have major safety concerns over this car. Had new issue of car not starting after refueling. Brought it in to dealership on Friday 9/25 and check engine light indicated EVAP problem code. Dealership at first refused to evaluate EVAP telling me was not related. Then then found a clogged…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2021 Ford Bronco Sports have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 151 owner complaints about engine for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport (21% of the 707 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport engine?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 49,350 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
The most frequent phrase is “fuel injector”, in 12 of 151 complaints, followed by “motive power” (10).
Other 2021 Ford Bronco Sport problems
See all 2021 Ford Bronco Sport problems or engine problems across all Bronco Sport years.