Is the 2021 Ford BRONCO SPORT reliable?

The 2021 Ford BRONCO SPORT has 1006 complaints filed with NHTSA (4.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Ford BRONCO SPORT?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (206 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (172 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (161 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Ford BRONCO SPORT?

No recalls have been issued for the 2021 Ford BRONCO SPORT.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Ford BRONCO SPORT?

The 2021 Ford BRONCO SPORT gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2021 Ford BRONCO SPORT?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Ford BRONCO SPORT is approximately $1,735/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2021 Ford BRONCO SPORT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2021 Ford BRONCO SPORT has 1006 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 4.8x the segment average of 209. The most common issue is electrical problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: the dash cluster was dead and the start button led just flashed on and off. the battery, checked with a vom, showed normal voltage. the vehicle would not start. i unhooked one of the battery terminals and waited 10 minutes for the system to reset. after reconnecting the battery the vehicle lit . ⚠️ 31 fire reports filed.

31 fire reports 22 crash reports 7 injuries

1006

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

4.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

206 complaints

20%

• The dash cluster was dead and the start button LED just flashed on and off. The battery, checked with a VOM, showed normal voltage. The vehicle would not start. I unhooked one of the battery terminals and waited 10 minutes for the system to reset. After reconnecting the battery the vehicle lit
• On morning of Sept 2, 2021 I was driving home from my overnight shift as a nurse getting off about 0635, driving down a major street in the downtown area. I was approx 6 blocks from my hospital approaching a busy intersection and my Bronco Sport [2021] lost all power. Because my speed was only 30mph
• Both interior liftgate lights inoperative. However, the "liftgate ajar light", and came on without warning as I was driving. I had not opened the litigate. Radio system skips & pops. fails to load tor loads slowly. Brakes failed to fully engage quickly on a slow turn, causing a total loss acciden

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 7 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“The dash cluster was dead and the start button LED just flashed on and off. The battery, checked with a VOM, showed normal voltage. The vehicle would not start. I unhooked one of the battery terminals and waited 10 minutes for the system to reset. After reconnecting the battery the vehicle lit ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2021 Ford BRONCO SPORT

Based on 272 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 41K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 9K mi · 35 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 33K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Later than typicalmedian 41K mi · 65 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 52K mi · 50 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Later than typicalmedian 45K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Ford BRONCO SPORT

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Ford BRONCO SPORT

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,735

Full coverage / month

$145

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

+4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$1735

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford BRONCO SPORT Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2021 BRONCO SPORT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1006 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: The dash cluster was dead and the start button LED just flashed on and off. The battery, checked with a VOM, showed normal voltage. The vehicle would not start. I unhooked one of the battery terminals and waited 10 minutes for the system to reset. After reconnecting the battery the vehicle lit
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 FORD BRONCO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STEVEN'S JERSEY CITY FORD (740 NJ-440, JERSEY CITY, NJ 07305) BUT NOT YET DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start-up. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that an abnormal squealing noise would emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they had kept the vehicle for over a week; she was later informed that the manufacturer was notified, and the nois
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)