Ford · NHTSA safety record

2025 Ford Bronco Sport

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 38 safety complaints about the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport with the US government. Of those, 5 describe a crash, 5 people were injured and no death is recorded. 7 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 7 complaints, 18% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 8,450 miles, the median across the 8 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers March 2025 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

38 complaints on file

Complaints

Describe a crash

Mention fire

People injured

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system

POWER TRAIN 7 · 18% 7 18%

ENGINE 6 · 16% 6 16%

AIR BAGS 5 · 13% 5 13%

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 4 · 11% 4 11%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3 · 8% 3 8%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 3 · 8% 3 8%

SERVICE BRAKES 3 · 8% 3 8%

STEERING 3 · 8% 3 8%

SUSPENSION 3 · 8% 3 8%

SEAT BELTS 2 · 5% 2 5%

STRUCTURE 2 · 5% 2 5%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 · 5% 2 5%

0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 38.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2026 at 28.

32 24 16 8

25 2025 26 2026

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2025 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

7 on file

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

26V340000 · May 27, 2026

Do not drive until repaired

The defect: 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.
The risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and repair the front lower control arm ball joints as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 4, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S36. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 29, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 4,653 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

26V201000 · March 31, 2026

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles. The Occupant Classification Sensor (OCS) unit may fail to correctly detect the presence of an adult or child in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk: Failure to correctly detect a passenger may result in the air bag not deploying as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant classification sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C19. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 3,170 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

26V122000 · March 3, 2026

The defect: 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.
The risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The 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 NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 47,804 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

25V788000 · November 14, 2025

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: The instrument panel cluster software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC3.

Ford Motor Company · up to 229,609 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE

25V372000 · June 3, 2025

The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 404 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

25V343000 · May 23, 2025

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2023-2025 Escape, 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2025 Lincoln Corsair, Maverick, and Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L MPC engine and an engine block heater. The engine block heater may overheat when the vehicle is parked with the block heater plugged in.
The risk: An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the block heater element and inspect the electrical cord, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug coupled, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S52.

Ford Motor Company · up to 6,781 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

25V049000 · January 31, 2025

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Bronco Sport, Escape, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may not illuminate at startup or while driving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" as well as FMVSS numbers 126, 108, 135, 138, 208, and 305.
The risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C02.

Ford Motor Company · up to 298 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS Filed July 6, 2026

2 injured · crash · towed

I was in a car accident on the front/side of the drivers side of our ford Bronco sport. The steering wheel airbag did not deploy. But all other side airbags did.

NHTSA complaint 11748474. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES Filed August 21, 2025

1 injured · crash · towed

Brake failure caused a crash. Car was damaged.

NHTSA complaint 11682065. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS Filed July 29, 2026

1 injured · crash · towed · 20,500 miles

The contact owned a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport. While the contact’s brother-in-law was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle, causing the vehicle to flip over and slide between 50 and 75 yards. During the crash, the Forward Collision Avoidance system failed to activate, and the front driver’s side air bags did not deploy. The driver was later taken to the hospital and treated for a concussion and arm and leg abrasions. A Police report was filed at the scene, and the vehicle was towed away and later deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the

NHTSA complaint 11753571, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS Filed May 15, 2025

1 injured

Drivers side: the track the power seat slides back/forth in. Since purchasing the vehicle 4/18/25 I have cut the back of my right leg getting into the vehicle on that track multiple times requiring the bleeding to be stopped and bandaging. At least 5 times to date and I've had the vehicle about a month. I try to be extremely careful getting into the vehicle because I know that piece will cut my leg every time but sometimes, I'm not thinking and inevitably I get cut again but I really shouldn't have to worry about that, it's obviously a design flaw. I also thought I could try to remember to put the seat all the way up when I get out but then it's a pain to get back in and again, I don't

NHTSA complaint 11661271, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN Filed September 16, 2026

Vehicle was taken to Bowen [XXX] ([XXX]) for a transmission rebuild under RO #XXX, following repeated transmission failures. Dealer performed a complete teardown and rebuild of the transmission (replacing clutch components, seals, gaskets, fluid, reprogramming solenoids), and the repair order states the vehicle was road tested after repair with no DTCs present and "operating as designed." Vehicle was picked up on XXX at 11:20 AM. Approximately 24 hours later, on XXX at approximately 3:49 PM, while the vehicle was stationary, the instrument cluster displayed a "Shift System Fault, Service Required" warning, and the vehicle would not shift into any gear other than Park. The vehicle had to be

NHTSA complaint 11764593, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Filed September 15, 2026

6,900 miles

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. Upon returning to the residence, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V122000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed; however, the failure returned two days after the repair. The failure continued for several weeks, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the dealer failed to duplicate the failure. A

NHTSA complaint 11764363, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Filed September 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving downhill on the freeway with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the transmission independently shifted into neutral, the vehicle lost power, and failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and shifted back into drive. The contact exited the freeway, and the vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact stated that the word “CANCEL” in orange was displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The engine had seized but was operating under reduced power.

NHTSA complaint 11763116. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION Filed September 1, 2026

Both front lower control arm ball joints on my 2025 Bronco Sport failed prematurely at approximately 13,000 miles. Upon removal, both ball studs showed heavy corrosion and clear evidence of water intrusion past the factory boot seals. One boot's upper metal retainer was visibly deformed, allowing water into the joint. This level of corrosion should not exist on a vehicle this new and indicates a defective component or seal, not normal wear. I have retained both failed parts and have photographs documenting the condition. This is the same component covered under Ford's active do-not-drive safety recall 26S36 (NHTSA campaign 26V-340) for front lower control arm ball joint defects on 2021–2026

NHTSA complaint 11761381, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING Filed August 2, 2026

The car breaks without warning until it’s already hit them when no one is behind us as we’re backing up it just hits the breaks.

NHTSA complaint 11754269. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING Filed August 2, 2026

1. The Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) module and/or the front passenger-side suspension components failed, causing a complete loss of steering control and an un-commanded, continuous violent pull to the right. Yes, the vehicle and all malfunctioning components are completely intact and available for immediate inspection upon request. 2. Safety was put at extreme risk during highway speeds. The vehicle violently and continuously swerved directly toward the right-hand passenger side. There were 5 total occupants in the SUV, including my daughter-in-law and my three young grandchildren. My [XXX] granddaughter was strapped in a car seat directly next to that right passenger door,

NHTSA complaint 11754307, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Bronco Sport

Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Deaths
2026	7	6	—
2024	108	8	—
2023	158	14	—
2022	358	15	—
2021	699	16	—

Other 2025 Ford models

F-150 106 Explorer 101 Bronco 52 Ranger 42 Expedition 36 Escape 24 Maverick 24 F-150 Hybrid 19

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

Complaints: NHTSA's ODI complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed May 27, 2026.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI investigation file, published October 2, 2026.

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by guarledes
Independent developer and analyst