NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints for the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport. Most complaints involve air bags (1) and service brakes (1). The EPA rates it 23–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Maverick, F-150, and Bronco Sport vehicles. Certain vehicle joints may be improperly tightened. This can lead to detached parts, unsecured cargo, degraded crash protection, electrical system failure, or a loss of vehicle stability.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“Issue: Unintended acceleration/loss of Park function & airbag non-deployment: Date of Incident: [XXX] Rental Company: Budget Car Rental Vehicle: Ford Bronco Sport 2026 VIN [XXX] At the [XXX], I slowly entered a parking space and once positioned in the spot, I fully stepped on the brakes and rotated the electronic shifter dial into PARK. Immediately after park was selected, the vehicle suddenly propelled, accelerated forward, jumped over the parking island and collided with a tree. This occurred while my foot remained firmly on the brake pedal and after Park was selected. Only the lower leg airbag deployed. Front airbags did not deploy despite severe frontal impact. Emergency services transported me and my passenger to Mission Hospital with extremely high blood pressure. I underwent ECG & chest/neck x-rays and my passenger CT scans. With sustained whiplash and bruises to my legs, abdomen & sternum, both of us experienced severe chest pain for weeks afterwards and still lingering chest pain up to now. I am filing this report because (1) the incident involved unintended acceleration or loss of Park function, a known risk in certain Ford vehicles (2) the airbag…”
“The contact owns a 2026 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V548000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronco Sport 4WD Auto 8-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 25 | 30 | 27 | $2,300 | 324 |
| Bronco Sport Sasquatch 4WD Auto 8-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive | 23 | 26 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Bronco Sport 4WD Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 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.
Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (1), service brakes (1), engine and engine cooling (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport at 23–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport 5 out of 5 stars overall.