RoadVitals

2026 Ford Bronco Sport

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

NHTSA has issued a “do not drive” advisory affecting this model year.

Campaign 26V340000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.

Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
7
+4 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Aug 25, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport, most frequently naming the engine, driver assistance and electrical categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 22 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine233.3%
  • Driver assistance116.7%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Other / unspecified116.7%
  • Powertrain (other)116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

Aug 25, 2026
10,001 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The 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 NHTSA.gov on August 28, 2026.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 26S61View on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE:BODY

Aug 25, 2026
23 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the vehicle joints or repair and replace the joint retention mechanisms as necessary, free of charge. Owner notifications letters are expected to be mailed September 21, 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.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 26S60View on NHTSA.gov
26V340000NHTSA advisory: do not drive

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

May 27, 2026
4,653 units potentially affected
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.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.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 26S36View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed Sep 15, 2026

We were driving our 2026 Ford Bronco Sport (Badlands Edition) on [XXX] in the [XXX] area of [XXX]. The location was in town and the speed was 45 mph. The day was Friday, XXX, at 5:10pm, when the closed moonroof glass suddently, without any warning, completley exploded. The moonroof exploded upward and pieces of glass flew as it shattered completely. Fortunately, we had the fabric shade closed at the time so the glass did not hit my wife and I. If the shade had been open, I'm sure we would have received cuts, scapes, etc. and might have required a visit to a local hospital or doctor's office. The noise sounded like a gun shot or a blown tire and scared us both! We pulled into the first side street off [XXX] and got out to determine what happened. We would not have been able to continue driving without using duct tape to hold the broken pieces of glass in place and trying to minimize road noise. We ended up covering the shattered moonroof with duct tape to prevent forecasted rain into the vehicle. Since we were 3 hours away from home, and it was after normal business hours, we figured we would have to wait until Monday (XXX) to work with our local Ford dealership (Moffitt's Ford in [XXX]). We have taken the vehicle to Moffitt's Ford and they have confirmed it was an internal pressure explosion, which has been reported as a common problem across the country. They are in the process of ordering parts to repair the damaged moonroof. We will be turning in an insurance claim with our State Farm Insurance representative. The vehicle is brand new with only 4,500 miles. The moonroof should be covered by the manufacturer as a warranty replacement and a safety concern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11764441
Incident
Sep 11, 2026
Engine
Filed Sep 8, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V548000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11762809
Incident
Sep 8, 2026
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 6, 2026

I was stranded on the side of the road due to a routine tire puncture on the morning of Sept. 5, 2026. I immediately called AAA for emergency roadside assistance. AAA explicitly informed me that their safety policy prevents them from plugging tires on the roadside, however they offered to change the flat out for my spare tire. When I went to the trunk to look for the spare tire, I discovered that there was no spare tire, wheel jack or lug wrench in the vehicle. The manufacturer had entirely omitted this essential safety equipment, replacing it with a chemical sealant and inflator kit. Realizing I was stranded in a dangerous area with zero physical means to replace the wheel left me immediately shocked, frightened and highly vulnerable on a busy road. The inadequacy of this setup was later validated by the dealership’s manager who admitted he suffered the exact same issue in a similar Ford vehicle and had to pay more than $500 out of pocket because the inflator kit failed him. He also informed me Ford is not the only company to implement this seriously flawed equipment elimination policy. Substituting liquid foam for a physical wheel assembly under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards is a critical public safety hazard that leaves motorists defenseless.

NHTSA ID
11762418
Incident
Sep 5, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 31, 2026

2026 Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquatch edition with less than three-thousand miles that we purchased brand new had a major transmission failure and was rendered inoperable. The Bronco Sport transmission pan cracked and the gasket failed upon driving home from a routine, ten minute trip to the grocery store resulting in sudden loss of transmission fluid. The transmission fluid blew all over the engine compartment when this occurred The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership where it remains as of today (one week after the incident occurred). The issue has been confirmed by the Ford dealer. There were zero warning lamps or messages, but there was a smell of something burning. When the vehicle was parked, fluid poured out on the garage floor and continued to leak until it was put on a tow truck. We have a case number with Ford and are trying to see if there is an option for Ford to buy the vehicle back or to work with us on replacing it due to the incident and the vehicle being approximately two months old. Had we been driving at highway speed or were further from home, this could have resulted in an accident.

NHTSA ID
11761016
Incident
Aug 24, 2026
Filed Aug 2, 2026

Information panel warning lights on dash or wiring system short I was driving at a slow speed and without warning my hood flies up and shatters the windshield and truck flies open dropping all my luggage out

NHTSA ID
11754239
Incident
Aug 1, 2026
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 12, 2026

2026 Bronco SportDescription Your vehicle may display a blank instrument panel cluster ipc screen upon startup. This may occur when the vehicle is restarted within a specific time interval after turning the vehicle off. Safety Risk A blank ipc screen will prevent the driver from seeing critical vehicle information such as the speedometer, warning lights, and warning messages. The inability to see this information increases the risk of a crash. Remedy Software is now available to repair your vehicle. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to update the instrument panel cluster free of charge. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service. NOTE: Recall incomplete Recall service not available right now. We have a remedy but parts are not available right now. We will inform you when the service is available. Or, you can contact your dealer.

NHTSA ID
11743715
Incident
Nov 24, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed May 19, 2026

Adaptive +predictive cruise control malfunction causing 1) sudden vehicle acceleration and 2) Cruise on but disengaged suddenly engaged and set a higher speed than originally set. Merged into light traffic on 4 lane interstate, no other vehicles within 200yds or so. Turned on, then set cruise control at 70mph, about 10 seconds later I felt the car surge, I looked down, saw the cruise indicator now showed 80, tapped the brakes to disengage. About 2 miles later repeated the same but was watching and vehicle repeated same behavior, I turned the system off. About 2 miles later I repeated the same with the same result. Each time set to 70 and within 10-20 seconds vehicle accelerated to a self set higher speed - 80. Problem 2, a few miles later, after a merge onto another interstate the speed limit changed tried this again except this time, as a came out of the curve (doing about 45mph) I turned the cruise on, a few seconds later I look down and watch the cruise indicator turn from white (on but not engaged) to green (on and engaged) without touching the set button. On the return trip I duplicated the acceleration twice more. 4 days later dealership service called to confirm that they reproduced problem 1 and were in contact with the manufacturer for how to proceed. No warning lights or messages, dealership service stated no fault codes.

NHTSA ID
11738770
Incident
May 12, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM 55177

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Some 2025-2026 Maverick and 2026 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with an 8-inch instrument panel cluster (IPC) display may exhibit a condition where the fuel gauge displays one mark below the full fuel level when the fuel tank is full. This may be due to the software in the IPC. To correct the condition, download and run the "IPC - Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Software Update" application using the latest software level of the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) scan tool. For claiming, use causal part 10849 and labor operations 12651D and IPC.

SSM 55100

SEATS

For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover J-clips, lower-level service parts are now available. Use service part W709919-S901 if the J-clip is completely detached from the seat cover and W715386-S424 if the clip is still partially attached. It is not necessary to replace the seat cover if only the J-clip is separating from the cover. Refer to PTS Home > Technical Assistance > Technical Support Videos > Section 501- Body and Paint > Seat J-Clips. For claiming, use causal parts from list below and labor operations 63100A and 63100A5. Causal Parts for claiming: Bronco/Bronco Sport/Escape/Explorer/Expedition/Navigator: 7862900 or 7862901 F-150/F-Super Duty: 1562900 or 1562901 Ranger/Maverick: 6062900 or 6062901

SSM 55031

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Some 2021-2026 Ford/Lincoln vehicles may exhibit various symptoms including but not limited to the auto start/stop system not operating as intended with a "Check Charging System" message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) while the charging system is operating properly with no charging related diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) stored. This may be due to someone using an aftermarket programmer to change the body control module (BCM) configuration to disable the auto start/stop system or perform other unsupported programming modifications. To correct this condition on F-150 and Bronco vehicles, download and run the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) application titled "BCM-Charging System Configuration Correction". Running this application will determine if the BCM configuration was modified by the customer and if so, provide the option to return the configuration back to factory settings. For other vehicle models exhibiting concerns related to unsupported aftermarket BCM programming, submit a Technical Support Request (TSR) requesting support to revert the BCM configuration

SSM 55021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Some 2025-2026 Bronco/Bronco Sport/Corsair/F-150/F-Super Duty/Maverick/Mustang/Mustang Mach-E/Ranger vehicles may exhibit a no audio/sound condition. This may be due to the software in the audio control module (ACM). To determine if it is a software concern, disconnect the vehicle's 12-volt battery cables for 10 minutes and reconnect. If the concern is still present, continue with normal diagnostics in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 415-00 Information and Entertainment System > General Information > Diagnosis and Testing and repair as necessary outside of this article. If the no audio/sound concern is resolved, reprogram the ACM using the latest software level of the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). For claiming, use causal part 18C869 and labor operations 10654C, 12651D and 12651D4.

SSM 55008

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; SEATS; VISIBILITY/WIPER

Some 2021-2026 Ford vehicles may exhibit inoperative heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel and/or front/rear defrost features after a remote start is performed through the Ford mobile application or with the key fob. Customers may also experience heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel and/or front/rear defrost features turning on in unexpected conditions such as during warmer weather. These features will operate normally when commanded in the center display screen. This may be due to the customer not setting up their "Climate Settings" through the Ford mobile application. To correct this condition, inform the customer they should perform a remote start from the Ford mobile application and then adjust the "Climate Settings" in the Ford mobile application as desired. These settings only need to be set once and will persist through subsequent remote starts. Heated and cooled seats will be set to Level 2 when turned ON via "Climate Settings" in the Ford mobile application during a remote start event. This is normal operating characteristic. This condition does not affect vehicle durability and no a

SSM 54963

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Some 2025-2026 Maverick and 2026 Transit/Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with an 8-inch instrument panel cluster (IPC) display may exhibit a condition where the fuel gauge displays up to the 8th mark below full fuel level when the fuel tank is full. This condition does not affect vehicle durability and no additional diagnosis or service is required at this time. Inform customers that they can continue to drive the vehicle and engineering is currently working on a solution for this condition that is expected by the end of Q3 2026. Replacement/reprogramming of the IPC will not resolve this condition. Monitor Professional Technician System (PTS) for additional information and schedule service appointments for customers once the repair becomes available. If this condition is encountered, enter a vehicle identification number (VIN) and click the "Submit Global Concern Report (GCR)" link at the upper right of the PTS "Vehicle ID" screen. Fill out the GCR form, referencing this article number in the report. Do not use the "Report A Problem" link to submit a report for this condition.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Bronco Sport by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026Viewing760—
2025387064.6
20241088168.4
202315514371.5
202235715369.2
202169116264.8

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.