Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2022 Ford Bronco SportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls and 370 owner complaints for the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. Most complaints involve engine (83) and electrical system (77). The EPA rates it 23–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
23–26mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
15campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
370
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

15 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: lower ball joint

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles. The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuckle.

SuspensionReported May 27, 2026NHTSA 26V340000

Equipment: engine block heater

Remedy pending

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.

EquipmentReported Oct 10, 2025NHTSA 25V685000

Fuel system

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 11, 2025NHTSA 25V467000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

370 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2022 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine83
  2. Electrical system77
  3. Power train70
  4. Fuel system, gasoline51
  5. Service brakes44
  6. Fuel/propulsion system43
  7. Forward collision avoidance15
  8. Steering14
  9. Vehicle speed control10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Bronco Sport model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2021709
2022370
2023162
2024115
202540
20268
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
13
Injuries reported
17
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

83 reports1 crash7 fires
“I am experiencing a fuel smell in my vehicle when I cold start it in the morning. I took it to the dealership and they could not identify the smell but claimed that if I call Ford customer service they might be able to escalate the issue. Ford customer service just said there is nothing they can do until the recall Campaign 25S76 is done but it is currently on pause even though it was issued 7/16/25 and it is currently 10/23/26. I said that these is a safety issue since Ford has identified that it can lead to the engine igniting which has happened to 8 vehicles according to Ford. They said they recommend waiting for the recall to happen despite my safety concerns on a known flaw with the vehicle. No resolution or any type of compromise provided even though I can identify the fuel smell that they say is a sign of the fuel injector issue that should be fixed under customer satisfaction program Campaign: 22N18”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11773229

Electrical system

77 reports4 fires
“Water is entering the vehicle and dripping onto the interior floorboards, particularly when the air conditioning is running.This has caused growth of mold and rust inside the vehicle. The vehicle has developed multiple dashboard warning lights, and the turn signals and windshield wipers have stopped functioning. Most concerning, the steering wheel has locked while the vehicle was in motion, leaving me unable to steer even though the engine remained running.This created a serious and immediate safety hazard. The vehicle has since become inoperable and will no longer start. The source of the water intrusion and the underlying causes of the electrical and steering failures have not been confirmed. However, the combination of water entering the vehicle, multiple warning lights, loss of turn signals and windshield wiper operation, loss of steering control while the engine remained running, and the subsequent failure to start raises serious concerns about the vehicle’s safety and possible electrical system damage. I took the vehicle in for an inspection to determine the cause of these problems\. I was informed that diagnostic testing would cost approximately $250 per…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 17, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11771839

Power train

70 reports1 crash1 fire
“The rear drive unit (RDU) deteriorated at 78k miles. I began to notice a shudder during low-speed turns with high steering angle. Upon inspection, metallic flakes were discovered in the RDU’s fluid, apparently indicating mechanical degradation of the internal clutch packs. Two separate Ford dealerships recommended complete RDU assembly replacement at a significant expense. I am concerned that an important drivetrain component could deteriorate this quickly, from normal driving use. I believe this could result in wheel drag/lockup or seizure while operating the vehicle. I have not experienced it yet and I’m not sure whether a total mechanical failure would cause it either. Ford has numerous technical service bulletins on this issue, so it is known to them (TSB 26-2328). I am currently waiting for a dealership to receive parts so that the RDU may be replaced.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026Power trainODI 11771489
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
1.5L 3-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic 8-spd · Automatic (S8)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Bronco Sport 4WD
Auto 8-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
252826$2,450342
Bronco Sport 4WD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
212623$2,800387
  • Bronco Sport 4WD
    Auto 8-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    25 city · 28 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Bronco Sport 4WD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 26 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford Bronco Sport SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 16332
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2022 Bronco Sport questions

How many recalls does the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport have?

15 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2022 Ford Bronco Sport problems?

Owners filed 370 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (83), electrical system (77), power train (70). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport get?

The EPA rates the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport at 23–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026