Ford Bronco Sport start-stop problems

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · TX

On [XXX], my 2022 Ford Bronco Sport was stationary under my residential carport. I was seated in the front passenger seat with the passenger door open. I reached across and depressed the brake pedal with my hand and pressed the engine Start/Stop button. I did NOT touch or move the rotary gear selector before starting the vehicle. Immediately after the vehicle started, it unexpectedly began moving backward. I reached over and moved the gear selector to PARK to stop the vehicle. Before I was able to stop it, the open passenger door was caught and bent backward, causing damage to the vehicle. I did not intentionally select REVERSE or command the vehicle to move backward. I am reporting this because I am concerned that an unintended transmission/gear-selection or electronic control malfunction allowed the vehicle to move backward upon startup without Reverse being selected. VIN: [XXX] I am requesting that this incident be documented and evaluated as a potential vehicle safety defect involving unintended vehicle movement. Insurance claim will be filed for damage. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · WA

This is a third occurrence related to the federal safety agency complaints 11749893 and 11750183. On July 15, 2026, at approximately 7:30-7:42 AM, while driving to a scheduled Ford service appointment, the vehicle exhibited hesitation and delayed acceleration at multiple intersections, not isolated to one location. Although the vehicle's auto start-stop feature has been manually disabled, the hesitation at each stop felt similar to that feature engaging and re-engaging the engine. The vehicle then stalled completely at an intersection and would not move for approximately 10 minutes. The check engine light illuminated for the first time during this incident. Kent Police Department was contacted, event number 2026-44221. The vehicle was subsequently dropped off at a Ford dealership on July 15, 2026 for diagnosis under warranty.

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Transmission · MI

It was Memorial Day and I was picking my bicycle up from my brother’s house. As I turned out onto the main road, my car stalled. Battery light on, auto start/stop blinking and car rattling. The car also gave me a note on the dash saying it needed to be in park. Took it to the dealer and they told me that a new transmission was required but haven’t been willing or able to give me the finer details of what is wrong with the transmission until they disassemble it. They wanted to make me pay $5 just for that and that is way out of budget for me. I come to find out recently that Ford is in the news again. This time for faulty transmissions and they seemed to care less to help me out financially. They know these transmissions are bad. I know that my car is not tied to the recall regarding transmissions in the 2018-21 Navigators, Expeditions or Explorers, but the dealer gave me an error code of P07E4 which sounds VERY SIMILAR to this issue with these 2018-21 cars referenced earlier. I feel lucky that i wasn’t on the highway or anything when this happened.

Filed Jan 19, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · WA

I purchased my vehicle 6 months ago. I had no prior issues outside of a rough drive or a very slight burning smell from time to time. 12/2025 I found out through my auto insurance that my vehicle had a active safety recall (25S76) so I scheduled with my local Ford to get the temp software PCM update done until the remedy becomes available. Immediately after the software update I started getting a lot of system error codes; keys not detected, airbag fault, Tailgate open (when it wasnt), auto hold system fault, auto start/stop system fault, etc.. During this time I had issues with my break system "softening" like the breaks wanted to go out OR the break peddle locking up on me and being unable to move/drive. Delays in acceleration or spurts of acceleration which was uncommanded. This happened in active school zones making it even more unsafe and dangerous to drive. I took it back to my nearest dealership, and they could not replicate the issues but kept my case open and said to inform them if things changed. Things gradually got worse. I have video recording of my car accelerating without my foot on the peddle and my breaking peddle softening to the point of not working properly as well as hardening and locking up. I have photos of the errors when I was able to safely due so. I have full documentation that is not listed here (due to the amount of words allowed). I took my vehicle back and has been with Frontier Ford in Anacortes WA for 5 days. I have contacted Ford as well. I am unable to get a rental due to both Ford and the dealership both telling me to go to each other for help. I have no update as my vehicle is still in testing. They were able to replicate some of the issues but have no update outside of that. I have no way to work or take my children back and forth to their classes. My Ford dealership said this software has caused similar issues with other vehicles but my issue was a more severe case. I am unsure on how to move forward with this.

Filed Apr 29, 2025 · Transmission · MS

This is a correction and expansion to complaint #11650564. My 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has now experienced complete transmission failure at approx. 86,000 miles, following earlier rear differential (RDU) failure at 60,600 miles. Both major drivetrain components failed well before expected lifespan under normal, mostly interstate driving. The vehicle has never been off-roaded. Transmission symptoms include shuddering, fluttering, failure to engage park, and severe gear engagement issues. Critically, the vehicle would power forward while placed in neutral — it was not rolling. The wheels received torque while in neutral, which should not happen. Reverse gear would also engage forward motion, and drive would fail to engage at all unless I toggled 4WD low. Park would not hold the vehicle, requiring the parking brake to prevent movement. One serious safety incident occurred when stop-start activated at a red light and the car failed to re-engage drive, leaving me stranded in live traffic. In another case, reverse engaged late and suddenly surged backward near a building. I scanned the vehicle using FORScan and found a code for stuck solenoid A (failure to engage park). I asked the dealer to check the valve body — they refused, claiming the transmission was “shot” without verifying the issue. Ford issued SSM 49930, internally on Aug 5 2022 acknowledging these behaviors in this transmission. These are not just mechanical issues — they are dangerous. I respectfully request the federal safety agency investigate the 8F35 transmission used in the 2021 Bronco Sport.

Filed Mar 31, 2025 · Electrical · VA

The car went completely dead when I was stopped at a red light. There was no power and I couldn’t put it into park. There was no indicator light nor warning that there was a problem with the battery. This put me into great risk of being hit by another car as traffic started to worsen and cars were trying to go around me. Police came and got me out of the car and because they could not get the car into gear they called and had it towed. I incurred the cost of the tow as well as the cost of the battery and the labor to install it. I tried to get reimbursed from the dealership but they said they couldn’t help me abc suggested instead that I don’t use the auto stop/start because it was draining the battery which caused it to not have enough power to restart at the red light. This was a very frightening experience as it was in another city other than my own and it was just on the other side of a bridge during traffic hour.

Filed Jan 26, 2025 · Electrical · FL

The electrical system seemed to be experiencing temporary failure at stop lights. It initially seemed to be associated with the auto start/stop feature. However, one day the system would turn on (dash, radio, and air) however the engine would not turn over. The 3rd main incident was after purchasing a new battery (one week after doing so, to be exact) and the car wouldn't even open with a key fob. Everything was dead and the system said it only had a 20% charge left after being jumped and driven. My safety was at risk as I have a long commute and had the first battery incident happen nearly 1.5 hours from my home. My safety was also at risk for each of the three times that my car stalled at red lights, not knowing why or how to retart my car during heavily trafficked times. When stating my issues to the dealership (I've been having the stalling at lights issue for 5 months) they brushed the facts aside. When telling them my battery was dead after it being a week old, they said it was probably installed wrong (even though battery was replaced at reputable establishment and not personally installed) The issues started around August or September. I had called the dealership (as I've had all work done at the dealership I purchased the vehicle from other than the replacement battery). The engine light was on the time I was stranded at work (when I was able to get the radio on, but not able to get the engine to turn over). Shortly before the complete power failure, I had a "charging system error" light flash on and disappear. All of these issues were brought to the attention of the dealership in a timely manner. I had assumed they were related to the last recall that was in July, but I was given generic and un-sympathetic or relevant answers and was told I'd just have to keep paying diagnostic fees each time there was an issue and for each separate issue, even thought they all seemed centered around electrical/power issues.

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 Dec 11, 2024 · Transmission · AR

Bought 12-1-23 got recall 24V‑267 fix and then the vehicle started to die at red lights if the autostart/stop wasn't turned off. On 12/9/24 apparently the turbo went out. Unsure how only 95,345 miles. The driver window get stuck down anytime at a drive thru. Will have to turn off vehicle completely and restart for it to roll back up.

Filed Dec 2, 2024 · Electrical · OR

Battery / 12V system failure. Vehicle will not start, requires jump start to start vehicle. Battery does not sufficiently re-charge while vehicle is running and requires jump start next time vehicle is needs to be started. This issue has left me stranded on multiple occasions. The dealer has not reviewed the vehicle yet and no parts have been inspected. Problem first occurred two weeks into ownership / 400miles. There are no official indicators of issue, however I did notice that the auto stop/start feature does not function when driving as an early tell that the 12V system does not have sufficient charge.