Check a VIN

Ford Bronco Sport won't start problems

53 of the 1,415 owner complaints about the Ford Bronco Sport describe won't start, most of them for the 2021 model year.

owner complaints
53
worst model year
2021
typical repair cost reported
$510
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Sep 25, 2026 · Engine · CA

After refueling car the car will not start after several attempts. Brought into ford dealership they said they cannot locate issue. They said have a small EVAP leak but would not repair unless a large leak and this would not cause an issue, but online this is exactly the cause of this problem. Additionally now 3rd battery to replace in only 5 years and they claim this is normal. In the past this car has spontaneously turned off while driving as well.

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CT

On 9/15/26, while actively driving with my child, the monitor screen suddenly turned black and an error message of "Vehicle Network Communication Error", a few seconds later my dashboard turned black, no display messages, speed limit, or manual gauges were working and that too went blank; blinkers did not work when trying to use them. Luckily I was a short distance from where I was traveling to and when we arrived I turned off my car to see if i restart it, it would reset my car. It did not work. My car did not turn on, did not crank- the light on my start button just flashed rapidly. It was not until after my husband later arrived he disconnected the negative battery terminal and let it stay disconnected for 20-30 minutes and it then restarted. Case #CXH-09342591-W5K1G2 was filed with Ford Customer Relations, but they said further information regarding the case would likely not be provided to me as an update.

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · LA

The vehicle's entire powertrain and transmission system failed completely. The vehicle will not turn on, will not start, and the electronic rotary gear shifter is physically locked out, refusing to shift into Park or Neutral. The transmission assembly component is currently available for physical inspection upon request. The sudden loss of powertrain and electrical control module communication caused an immediate loss of motive power, stalling the vehicle and leaving it completely stranded and un-drivable. The physical lockout of the shifter mechanism prevents rolling or shifting the asset safely, creating an immediate rollaway or crash hazard if stranded on an active roadway. The car was also jerking vilolently in the middle of an intersection almost causing an accident where we would’ve been rear ended. Yes. The failure was formally diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized dealership, Jim Taylor Ford in [XXX], under Repair Order (RO) #XXX. The component has been physically inspected and diagnosed by the certified technicians at Jim Taylor Ford dealership, who confirmed a total internal failure. They have ordered an entire replacement transmission assembly under Ford Part Number LX6Z-7000-F and Fluid XT-12-QULV. Symptoms and warning signs began showing around XXX, starting with minor shift jerking then eventually turning into violent jerking within a few days. The vehicle suffered from electrical system degradation and complete module power loss, which directly aligns with the known failure symptoms of Ford's active Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and battery safety recalls (such as Campaign 24S24). Ford Corporate was contacted but is refusing to cover this catastrophic mechanical destruction under the safety recall mandate due to the vehicle's mileage (118,365 miles), despite the physical damage being explicitly caused by the unaddressed manufacturer safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 4, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle bucks and runs really rough. I believe it has to do with the open recall that has NOT yet been fixed. The fuel MPGs, xxx miles to empty, etc seems to all be affected. The dealer won't do anything about it. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I'd say it's safe to drive, just not riding that great. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? They say and act like nothing is wrong. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? See above, they say nothing is wrong. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No but the issues didn't start until they worked on a repair from us trying to avoid something in the middle of the road and we hit it.

Filed Aug 16, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · WA

The vehicle was slowing down after leaving a stop light and within a short distance completely shut down no lights no power nothing wouldnt start to put in neutral so we can get it from the middle of traffic on a 2 lane highway. After about 15 minutes of trying to see what the issues was it turned over and we put the car in gear and pushed ot to the side of the road

Filed May 21, 2026 · Fuel system · 30,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The service engine warning light illuminated and the engine spuddered. The engine seized. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle did not start. The dealer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, however the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Filed May 1, 2026 · Transmission · IA

In January of 2026, I took my 2021 Ford bronco sport Outer Banks to the dealership because my car had a wrench light come on and it went into limp mode. Supposedly it was fixed and now it is April 2026 and my car went into limp mode again, it would not shift in the park and would not start and now the dealership is telling me that there’s transmission issues but from what I’ve read, there is clearly been a lot of transmission issues in these vehicles.

Filed Apr 7, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · OH

I purchased the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport in August of 2025. There were issues after about a week with all kinds of messages of components not working cycling through constantly on the display. The electric brake would engage on its own while parked and had to be shut off before I could go forwards after starting the vehicle. I took it to the dealership where I bought it and after a few days they said it was a batter issue and replaced it at no cost to me. It worked okay for a short time and then I had the same issues and now added to those were it wouldn't start for at least 15 minutes and several tries. Cruise Control could not be used and the turn signals would not work while all of the messages were displaying. The windshield wipers would only work at the highest setting and the rear wipers would not work at all. I took it to another Ford Dealership and they said it was an electrical wiring issue that they found. The High Speed Cam wiring is what they found a break in and they fixed it and cleared the codes. I paid $450 for this repair. Just 4 days later the issues have returned. Messages about components not working, this time the right turn signal would not shut off. I am concerned about the safety issues while driving with my turn signal stuck on. I called the same Ford dealership and they can get it in on Friday so that I can have a loaner car. I just don't feel safe driving the Bronco. I don't have the money to loose on trying to trade it in with these issue. Help!!!!

Filed Mar 22, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · OR

My car has been stalling at stops and I am unable to fill my car as it will not start so I have to put increments of 10-15.00 at a time they have told me now for over three months that parts were on back order and the recall that can catch my entire car on fire while driving cannot be fixed as their is no fix for it. Multiple issues continue to pile on when the vehicle isn’t even 5 years old

Filed Feb 23, 2026 · Electrical · TX

The battery has failed three times. Took it to a dealer in El Paso, Texas and they told us they put in a new battery which they lied. They did not. They charge the battery. Then we’ve took the car again to a dealer in San Antonio and they told us that there were some type of short in the battery, so they recharged the battery and fixed it, they lied again. Today the car will not start, the car is only a year and a half old and the dealer does not want to replace the battery, they want to recharge it again. This battery keeps leaving us stranded everywhere. It’s happening every two weeks.

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 won't start

Which Ford Bronco Sport years have won't start problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2021 (34 complaints), 2022 (12 complaints) and 2024 (4 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Ford Bronco Sport?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $510 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Ford Bronco Sport?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history