CarRecordBook

Model year record

2026 Ford Bronco Sport recalls & problems

The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport has 6 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (5 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints8filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2026 Ford Bronco Sport in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

1 recall for this model year carries an NHTSA do not drive advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

StructureAug 25, 2026

Body

Recall 26V55000023 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Maverick, F-150, and Bronco Sport vehicles. Certain vehicle joints may be improperly tightened. This can lead to detached parts, unsecured cargo, degraded crash protection, electrical system failure, or a loss of vehicle stability.
Risk
Improperly tightened vehicle joints may lead to a loss of vehicle control, electrical failure, or detached parts, increasing the risk of a crash or fire.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and tighten the vehicle joints or repair and replace the joint retention mechanisms as necessary, free of charge. Owner notifications letters were mailed October 19, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S60. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 26, 2026.
Engine and engine coolingAug 25, 2026

Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical

Recall 26V54800010,001 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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 NHTSA.gov on August 28, 2026.
SuspensionMay 27, 2026

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 26V3400004,653 vehicles

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

Problem
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.
Risk
A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2026. 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.
Electrical systemApr 14, 2026

Electrical system

Recall 26V23900055 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Maverick and 2026 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.
Risk
An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, and inspect and replace the electrical cord if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have an alternative option to replace the engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Owner notification letters were mailed June 10, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V343. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S52. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 14, 2026.

Components: Electrical system; Equipment › Electrical › Engine block heater

Air bagsMar 31, 2026

Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger

Recall 26V2010003,170 vehicles

Problem
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."
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.
Fix
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.
Electrical systemNov 14, 2025

Instrument cluster/panel

Recall 25V788000229,609 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.
Risk
An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2026 FORD BRONCO SPORT SUV N/A 4WD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk17.4%
2026 Ford Bronco Sport NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2026 Ford Bronco Sport NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Bronco Sport 4WD

27mpg combined
City / highway25 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.5 L · 3 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Bronco Sport Sasquatch 4WD

24mpg combined
City / highway23 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.5 L · 3 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Bronco Sport 4WD

23mpg combined
City / highway21 / 27 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Unknown or other5000—
Forward collision avoidanceAdaptive cruise control1000—
Electrical system1000—
Engine1000—
Power train1000—
Wheels1000—
Engine and engine cooling1000—
Air bags1102—
Service brakes1102—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.