Selling a damaged or dead Ford Bronco Sport

Because the Bronco Sport is young, it is worth one stop first. Many of its problems are covered by open recalls, and newer ones may still be under Ford's warranty. Here is what NHTSA's files show for each year.

What Ford built

Ford began building it in October 2020 in Hermosillo, Sonora, and the first model year was 2021. Every Bronco Sport so far uses one of two turbocharged engines with an eight-speed automatic.

Ford builds the 1.5 at its CHEP engine plant in Mexico and the 2.0 at Dearborn Engine. Several campaigns reach into both rows, which is why 19 and 24 sum past 32.

The problems, by system

Fuel injectors on the 1.5-liter

This is the recall owners are most likely to meet. On the 1.5-liter three-cylinder, an injector can crack and leak gasoline inside the engine compartment. Near a hot engine or exhaust part, that leak raises the risk of a fire. Ford's first try, 22V859 (November 2022), loaded software that watches for a leak and fitted a drain tube on 2021-2023 models. Then came 24V187, and 25V165 for vehicles repaired wrong under the first two. The widest, 25V467 (July 2025), covers 694,271 2021-2024 Bronco Sports and 2020-2022 Escapes. Its interim step is a software update. The final repair is a new high-pressure fuel rail and new injectors, and Ford said it would send owners a second letter when parts are ready.

Fuel system complaints lead the 2023 file (29 of 158). A related recall, 22V191 (March 2022), covers an engine oil separator housing on 2021-2022 1.5-liter models that can crack and leak oil onto hot parts.

The 12-volt battery

Electrical complaints lead the 2021 (163 of 703), the 2022 and the 2024. Of the 2021 complaints, 118 mention the battery. One owner wrote: "Battery malfunctioned while en route, entire system went dead while on the road." Recall 24V267 (April 2024) found that the body and powertrain control modules on 2021-2024 models may not notice the 12-volt battery losing charge; 25V158 fixed vehicles repaired wrong under it. Recall 25V019 (January 2025) covers 2021-2023 batteries that can wear out and quit without warning. Ford names the risk in both: no hazard lights, or no drive power.

Front suspension

Two recalls bracket the front end. The first, 21V074, caught 106 early 2021 models built with the wrong front lower control arms. The serious one is 26V340 (May 2026). On 4,653 2021-2026 Bronco Sports and Mavericks, a plant mistake in fitting or fixing the ball joints can let the control arm separate from the wheel knuckle. NHTSA's notice says to park it until a dealer has checked the joints.

Early-build and brake recalls

The 2021 picked up 16 campaigns, more than any other year. Besides the above: loose or missing rear subframe bolts on 1,638 vehicles (21V075), moonroof glass that may not be glued properly to its frame on 1,036 (21V809), and a fuel delivery module that could leak inside the tank and stall the engine (21V625). Rear brake linings on 114,666 2021-2022 Bronco Sports and Escapes may have been made wrong (21V922). Damaged valves inside the ABS module on 801 2023 models could lengthen pedal travel (23V021).

2025 and 2026

Newer recalls include an instrument cluster that can fail at startup on 229,609 2025-2026 Broncos and Bronco Sports (25V788), fixed by software. Another covers cylinder head ball plugs that can fail on 404 vehicles, among them 2025 Bronco Sports (25V372).

Year-by-year counts

Pulled for the Bronco Sport from NHTSA's raw data on October 10, 2026. Crashes and fires count complaints where the owner reported one. NHTSA's "unknown or other" group is skipped when naming the top system.

Across all six years, owners reported 50 crashes, 42 fires and 45 injuries, and 101 complaints say the vehicle had to be towed.

Repair, claim or sell?

On a vehicle this new, check what's covered before you pay for anything.

1. Recalls come first. Search the VIN at NHTSA's recall page. Injector, battery, ball joint and brake fixes are free at a Ford dealer.
2. Warranty may still apply. Ford's current terms are 3 years or 36,000 miles of basic coverage and 5 years or 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Ask a dealer what your model year carries.
3. Burned or wrecked? If a fire or crash already took it off the road, insurance and the repair estimate decide it. Our fire-damaged car guide covers that case.
4. Not covered and quoted high? Compare the quote with what the same Bronco Sport sells for running. If the repair comes near that figure, a whole-car sale is the simpler path. See non-running car.

How the whole-car sale works

1. Collect the VIN, the mileage, and a plain list of what's wrong, such as a fuel smell, a dead battery or a loose front end.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Say where it is. At home, at a body shop, at a dealer's service lot or on a street. Mention it if a recall says not to drive it, since it will need to be loaded rather than driven.
4. Keep it whole. Nothing needs removing: wheels, battery and converter all stay. Tell us about anything missing.
5. Paperwork. Have the title and a photo ID at pickup. If a lender still holds the title, read car loan owed first, and see after you sell for plates.

Comparing Fords? See the Escape, Maverick and Bronco, or the full Ford list.