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Ford Bronco Sport check engine light comes on

91 of the 1,415 owner complaints about the Ford Bronco Sport describe check engine light, most of them for the 2021 model year.

owner complaints
91
worst model year
2021
typical repair cost reported
$2,000
typical mileage
53,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Stalling 18Fuel smell 10Engine failure 8Misfire 7Loss of power 6Fire or smoke 6Transmission failure 5Hesitation 5

Trouble codes mentioned

P0456 2P0171 2P3402 1P1285 1P05A1 1P0496 1

What owners say

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Driver assistance, Transmission · FL

Driving and check engine light came on saying abs system disabled pull over immediately This was a 4000.00 repair for the sensor that should’ve been a recall as there were 5 other broncos repaired with this same issue in the shop during my repair. I was not covered u der warranty because I was 600 miles over power train warranty when this occurred. Please review for possible ford recall.

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Fuel system · 114,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start while parked. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact waited 20 minutes before the vehicle operated as needed and the vehicle was driven to the dealer. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was contacted; 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 manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Fuel system · CA

I have had issues dating back to when I first got the car with rough idling and it turning off while idling. Most recently about 2 weeks ago experienced inability to turn the car on after fueling with gas. Rough idling and turning off while idling were also associated with gas filling. I took this car to Ford dealership multiple times. Check engine light came on associated with EVAP leak code. Ford dealership unable to diagnosis. I took to an independent mechanic who diagnosed in 10 minutes it is an EVAP purge valve malfunction and that likely this had been defective for some time. I reported this to ford and they refuse to compensate for this. I have seen multiple reports online of same issue with other ford bronco sport dealers. This failure seems abnormally premature and defective design. Concerning it results in loss of power of the vehicle as well.

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Engine · CA

Continue to have major safety concerns over this car. Had new issue of car not starting after refueling. Brought it in to dealership on Friday 9/25 and check engine light indicated EVAP problem code. Dealership at first refused to evaluate EVAP telling me was not related. Then then found a clogged hose but did not repair the EVAP and on 09/28 my check engine light came back on again. I called dealership and ford corporate still with no plan as they say they will not cover repair or rental. This is in light of having had the car turn off spontaneously while driving as recent as December. I am very concerned this may be linked to fuel injector recall which has no remedy and do not feel safe driving this car.

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 35,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle lost automotive power while driving and while stopped and idling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle required several restarts before continuing to drive. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the battery was prematurely draining and that the EVAP was clogged, and that the battery and EVAP needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · 124,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, exhaust fumes and a fuel odor entered the cabin, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The engine misfired, and the vehicle hesitated while driving. Upon inspecting under the hood, the contact discovered black soot in the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for diagnosis, where the dealer determined that the piston solenoid, catalytic converter, and driver’s side lower control arm and bushing needed replacement. The contact stated that the PCM was previously replaced. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V340000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Engine · 18,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power with the check engine warning light illuminated, and the “Service Vehicle Soon” message displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000.

Filed Sep 6, 2026 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · IN

The charcoal canister, connection, wires and felt cover has been broken. This is the second time something has went through the cover and broke the charcoal canister. First time it was covered under warranty and only the canister and cover had a hole. This time several things were broken. It caused the engine light to come on. It has also caused the lane assist to stay on. There are bare wires underneath the vehicle. The Ford company wanted to charge me over $2,000. to repair. I do not take this Bronco out on trails four wheeling, it is a family vehicle. It has been caused, I assume by a rock coming up and hitting underneath it.

Filed Sep 4, 2026 · Engine, Seat belts · IN

Ford cannot fix the fuel injector issue which according to Ford can start a fire in the engine. Now the water pump had to be replaced as it was leaking coolant. No recall. And the front shocks are leaking fluid. The seat belt fix remains as Ford does not have the parts. This is a 3 year old vehicle that has been the subject to several recalls and more recalls by Ford need implemented. I have not gone without a vehicle for over 8 days. And again an engine light is one that Ford is still looking into.

Filed Jul 23, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · WA

This is a fourth occurrence related to the federal safety agency complaints 11749893, 11750183, and 11751201. The vehicle was previously diagnosed and repaired under warranty for the same 'Shift System Fault: Service Required' condition (transmission main control valve body replacement, RO #609213, completed July 21, 2026). Approximately 14 hours after pickup, on July 22, 2026, the identical fault recurred, the Check Engine light illuminated, and the vehicle died while driving. The vehicle was towed to Bowen Scarff Ford in Kent, WA and checked in the same day (RO #609522) for further diagnosis. This is now the second documented repair attempt for the same defect.

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanicalReported August 25, 2026 · 10,427 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on August 28, 2026.

Recall number 26V548000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)Reported March 3, 2026 · 47,804 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Risk
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on March 4, 2026.

Recall number 26V122000 · Recall details

EngineReported June 3, 2025 · 404 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Escape, and 2025 Bronco Sport vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
Risk
An oil leak can result in loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S61.

Recall number 25V372000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubricationReported March 25, 2022 · 345,451 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.
Risk
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the oil separator for damage or oil leaks, and replace the oil separator and seals, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S21.

Recall number 22V191000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Bronco Sport check engine light

Why does the check engine light come on in the Ford Bronco Sport?

Owners who report it most often also describe engine stalls while driving, gas smell in the cabin and engine failure, and the codes they mention most are P0456, P0171 and P3402.

Which Ford Bronco Sport years have check engine light problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2021 (49 complaints), 2022 (25 complaints) and 2023 (12 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the Ford Bronco Sport?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,000 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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