Problems · NHTSA complaints
2025 Ford Bronco Sport problems
Owners filed 41 complaints about the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport with NHTSA between Mar 2025 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (7).
Complaints
41
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine7
- Power train7
- Air bags5
- Forward collision avoidance4
- Structure3
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Electrical system3
- Suspension3
- Steering3
- Service brakes3
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Seat belts2
- Visibility/wiper1
- Lane departure1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
10
31
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 31 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
7 reports1 related recall
“On about 5 or 6 occasions over the course of one year, my brand new 2025 Ford Bronco Sport with the Big Bend trim with the VIN number in this report has completely lost engine power with severe engine hesitation with a highly rhythmic / even-patterned computer-controlled-like clicking and severe engine shaking (!!!) and a near stall while traveling from anywhere between 5 and 50 mph and the speed grinds down to a crawl, because it most often happens on an incline (maybe once on flat ground, and never downhill), and either way can be extremely dangerous! Fuel tank was full or half full on every occasion. Oil changed every 5k miles. Luckily at the higher speed, I was on a quiet hilly state highway road. I suspect it can happen at any speed though, which makes it even more dangerous! It is as if fuel stopped getting to the engine in these cases, or a computer failure in the fuel system, but I can be completely wrong about the cause. It is impossible to recreate on command obviously, being that it only happened 5 or 6 times over the course of one year, so neither myself or the dealer can recreate it on command. I complained about it to my local dealer that I bought…”
Power train
7 reports
“Vehicle was taken to Bowen [XXX] ([XXX]) for a transmission rebuild under RO #XXX, following repeated transmission failures. Dealer performed a complete teardown and rebuild of the transmission (replacing clutch components, seals, gaskets, fluid, reprogramming solenoids), and the repair order states the vehicle was road tested after repair with no DTCs present and "operating as designed." Vehicle was picked up on XXX at 11:20 AM. Approximately 24 hours later, on XXX at approximately 3:49 PM, while the vehicle was stationary, the instrument cluster displayed a "Shift System Fault, Service Required" warning, and the vehicle would not shift into any gear other than Park. The vehicle had to be towed by Ford Roadside Assistance back to Bowen [XXX] (tow reference #XXX). This is part of a pattern of recurring transmission-related failures on this vehicle since purchase, resulting in the vehicle being out of service for a substantial period across multiple repair attempts. A shift system fault rendering the vehicle undriveable in park-only mode, occurring within 24 hours of a certified "repair complete" transmission rebuild, raises serious concerns about the…”
Air bags
5 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owned a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport. While the contact’s brother-in-law was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle, causing the vehicle to flip over and slide between 50 and 75 yards. During the crash, the Forward Collision Avoidance system failed to activate, and the front driver’s side air bags did not deploy. The driver was later taken to the hospital and treated for a concussion and arm and leg abrasions. A Police report was filed at the scene, and the vehicle was towed away and later deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,500.”
Forward collision avoidance
4 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving downhill on the freeway with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the transmission independently shifted into neutral, the vehicle lost power, and failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and shifted back into drive. The contact exited the freeway, and the vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact stated that the word “CANCEL” in orange was displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The engine had seized but was operating under reduced power.”
Structure
3 reports
“On XXX, while driving unimpeded on XXX in [XXX] at ~65 mph in clear, mild weather, the tempered rear liftgate glass spontaneously imploded without warning, producing an explosive bang and showering the cargo area and passenger cabin with shattered glass fragments. Key safety and technical facts: 1. No external impact: Traveling on an open stretch of highway with no nearby vehicles throwing debris. No other glass or body panels sustained any impact marks. 2. Defroster inactive: The rear defroster heating elements were completely turned off. 3. Failure pattern: Exhibited characteristics of internal tension, hinge/strut stress, or manufacturing defect rather than external blunt force. Safety hazard: Spontaneous shattering at highway speeds caused an immediate startle/distraction hazard in high-speed traffic, sudden loss of rearward visibility, and risk of occupant laceration from flying glass shards. Manufacturer response: A formal warranty claim was submitted on XXX, to Southern Ford along with photographic evidence and preserved glass fragments. Ford Motor Company refused to cover the replacement under the factory bumper-to-bumper warranty, dismissing the…”
Engine and engine cooling
3 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. Upon returning to the residence, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V122000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed; however, the failure returned two days after the repair. The failure continued for several weeks, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the dealer failed to duplicate the failure. A technician stated that the failure was likely due to the excessive hot climate in which the vehicle was being driven and that the hesitation was normal vehicle operation. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact informed the manufacturer that he did not feel safe driving the vehicle. The contact was then informed that the vehicle did not qualify under the Lemon Law, and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 6,900.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.