2021 Ford Bronco Sport: engine failure

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 1.5L and Ford Motor Company's handling of recall-related repairs. Beginning October 22, 2025, I repeatedly attempted to have the applicable recall work completed through two authorized Ford dealerships. The programs involved include: • Recall 24S24 – the federal safety agency 24V267000 • Customer Satisfaction Program 22N18 – the federal safety agency ID 10233848 Despite multiple dealership visits and Multi-Point Inspections, the work was not completed until November 4, 2026. During this period, my vehicle experienced significant loss of engine power, particularly when traveling uphill and at higher elevations. Powertrain warnings also appeared, creating potentially dangerous driving conditions, especially on highways where maintaining speed is critical. The vehicle is now experiencing a failing turbocharger and other major mechanical problems. My concern is that these issues were overlooked or not properly investigated during previous dealership inspections. Had the necessary work and inspections been performed in a timely manner, these problems may have been identified before my 60,000-mile factory warranty expired. I am now facing substantial repair expenses as a result. I contacted Ford Motor Company's corporate Customer Relations department but was told they could not help. My complaint is not simply about warranty coverage or repair costs. I am concerned about the safety implications of the vehicle's loss of power, the delayed recall work, and whether the recall remedies adequately address the underlying problems. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency review the recall history, investigate the reported loss of power and engine failures, and determine whether additional safety action or investigation is warranted.

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

On December 13, 2025, we drove to Flagstaff, Arizona from Tucson, Arizona, where we live. As we came into town, the Bronco began to lurch and seemed to have difficulty shifting. I managed to make it to the Babbitt Ford service center’s parking lot, where it seized and died altogether. It stayed at Babbitt Ford where they worked on it until February 3, 2026. They replaced the transmission at great expense. On Feburary 3, we drove it home to Tucson. The next day, February 4, it died in the road twice, once in a major intersection. The first time it eventually resarted. The second time it died completely and required a special tow truck because we couldn't even get it into neutral to roll. It was towed to Holmes Tuttle Ford where they kept it for a week but were able to eventually restart it. They had it for 5 days, ran a diagnostic and reset the system. They drove it for over 80 miles and couldn’t recreate the problem. Then on February 25, I drove to Phoenix. While in Phoenix, it again inextricably had trouble shifting, died and wouldn’t start. I then had it towed to Camelback Ford. On March 6, Camelback Ford called and said they ran numerous tests and still can’t pinpoint the problem and the vehicle still won’t start or shift into neutral.

Filed Apr 21, 2026 · Engine · IL

I own a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Base (VIN: [XXX] ) equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine. I am experiencing a complete and repeated loss of engine coolant with no visible external leak. Upon inspection, air bubbles were observed rising through the coolant reservoir when coolant was added, indicating combustion gases are entering the cooling system through a compromised seal. On multiple occasions upon startup, sweet-smelling white smoke has been emitted from the exhaust, consistent with coolant burning in the combustion chamber. The vehicle has overheated as a result of coolant loss. These symptoms are consistent with the known 1.5L EcoBoost cracked engine block or head gasket failure defect affecting 2021 Ford Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Ford Escape vehicles. I have been advised by a ford dealership mechanic that the vehicle is unsafe to drive due to the risk of engine failure and potential engine fire. The vehicle has been parked and is not being driven. I am filing this complaint as a safety concern given Ford’s history of engine fires related to this defect, which was the basis of recall 22S43 and ongoing federal class action litigation. I am requesting the federal safety agency investigate whether an expanded recall or additional consumer remedy is warranted for this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Engine · OH

Catastrophic engine failure. Sudden. Started my car in the morning. Engine was running rough. Drove about 1/2 mile, engine continued to get worse. Returned home. decided to get engine codes checked. Check engine lights did not come on until this incident. Couldn't keep engine running. Kept trying to restart. Heard weird noise in engine and engine seized. Car had 62,800 miles on it, just over the 5 yr/60,000 warranty. Had the car towed to local Ford dealership. They verified that the engine was seized and that I needed a new engine. They found a lot of coolant in the engine oil along with a lot of metal flakes in the oil. They called it a catastrophic failure and speculated that it could be piston or valve destruction. They did not tear down the engine to determine the cause. They wanted an additional $2,000 to do that. (I kept the old seized engine). This failure could leave the owner stranded and in a very unsafe situation. I don't know what this failure would do to the drivability of the vehicle in traffic or on the highway.

Filed Jan 29, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · WA

Since my car hit 40000 miles it has had nothing but issues. I've had it in the shop at least 10 times. My brakes went out while driving with my [XXX] old, I've had loss of power, smell of exhaust in the cabin for the last 3 months and dealership says it can't be fixed, yesterday I had complete engine failure while on the freeway. Stalled and wouldn't start back up for 5 min. The dealership has never fully fixed anything but has only updated the computer system. I feel very unsafe in this vehicle. We still owe on this vehicle so trading it in is not an option since its not even worth the down payment I put down. It has a fuel injector recall that can't be fixed yet due to not having the parts available. What are we suppose to do if we can't drive the vehicle and can't buy a new one. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 30, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · 53,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 25V019000 (Electrical System) and 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the passenger-side of the vehicle, and the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that approximately a minute later, the vehicle restarted independently. The contact stated that upon shifting to drive(D) and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact shifted to reverse(R), and the vehicle accelerated forward unintendedly. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact test-drove the vehicle in a parking lot, and the failure persisted. The contact stated that while the hand brake was off, the brakes failed to function and seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where the contact test-drove the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. However, the contact was concerned about the failure, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the recall repair of the 12-volt battery was completed, and the PCM software update were performed. Additionally, the contact was informed that the DTC codes found indicated that the transmission had failed. The transmission was not repaired due to cost. The contact picked up the vehicle and drove the vehicle back to the residence with no issues. The contact stated that the battery failed to function as intended, and the vehicle failed to start two days later . The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle on a separate occasion, the message "Parking Not Available" was displayed. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle briefly lost motive power before slamming into gear while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the mechanic shop of the previous owner for inspection most recently. The previous owner repaired the rear differentials; however, the failure persisted. The check engine warning li

Filed Aug 19, 2025 · Engine · 90,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while her husband was driving 15 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the engine. The driver was able to pull into a parking lot and noticed white smoke coming from the engine while awaiting tow truck assistance. A local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified on the failure and was waiting to make a decision on what assistance to provide. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Jun 4, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 5,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the instrument panel malfunctioned, with the message "Pull Over and Restart the Engine" displayed. The battery was replaced, and failure was resolved. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that later while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking while changing gear. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle later experienced a failure while attempting to accelerate, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed May 10, 2025 · Engine · IA

I took my 21 Bronco Sport Big Bend in to have a different recall fixed and also have an oil change performed. I told the service technician that my coolant level was always low but I could not find any leaks under the vehicle. The service department called me and told me that there was coolant leaking into the cylinders of my engine and I needed the long block replaced. There was no indicator light for the low coolant or any type of engine light that would alert me of an issue. I eventually got a call that they had received parts for my engine replacement. The service technician told me that they are seeing a lot of Bronco Sports have this issue, but I never received a recall notice nor can I find an open recall online for this issue. I believe my family and I were put at risk due to this issue because of the potential for engine failure or damage.

Filed Jan 24, 2025 · Electrical · 59,340 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V019000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the Auto START/STOP technology failed to start the vehicle while depressing the accelerator. The contact had to connect a portable charger to be able to restart the vehicle and continue driving. The failure recurred and the engine failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the battery was drained and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the part for the recall repair would be available approximately in April 2025. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 59,340. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jan 8, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · FL

The vehicle has been in the shop since day one with many many problems! The TURBO failed under warranty so they replaced it without doing proper procedures. A few months later the turbo failed again out of warranty but this time cracked the head causing damages I can not afford!! The vehicle is sitting at the dealership not fixed!! I want out of this lemon!!! I tried getting them to buy it back when I took it to the shop three different times due to break issues they could not fix but a Ford representative told me it "had too many miles" I work out of this vehicle and have not been able to work now for three months!! Note...after the first TURBO was replaced I told the dealership the vehicle was loosing antifreeze but all they did was pressure check the radiator. A few months later engine failure due to turbo failure!!

Filed Jan 8, 2025 · Electrical · 55,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while his son was driving 55 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The steering wheel then seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the battery was replaced. The technician inspected the alternator and stated that the alternator could not be replaced since it was fully charged. The contact stated that during the second failure, the emergency brake was applied independently. The vehicle was towed to a Walmart Service Center waiting to be towed by Ford's road side assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.