2021 Ford Bronco Sport · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 35owner reports
- 55,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
386 of the 696 complaints on this car are about the engine. 35 of those describe misfire.
Tick what matches of 35 reports
Misfire on other Bronco Sport years
No other Bronco Sport model year has enough reports of misfire for a sheet of its own. See every Bronco Sport year.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the injectors (8 reports) and the catalytic converter (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
8 recalls on the engine cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
The 12-volt battery may experience degradation and suddenly fail.
The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.
The fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure which could result in an engine stall.
All 16 recalls on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Bronco Sport
Loss of motive power. Closed oct 10, 2025, led to recall 25V-019.
Underhood fires caused by fuel leak. Closed oct 30, 2025, led to recall 25V-467.
Loss of motive power. Closed aug 19, 2024, led to recall 24V-267.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 49,700 and 79,000 miles, from the 20 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 8 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some 2020-2022 Escape built and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles, built on or before 28-Sep-2022, equipped with a 1.5L Ecoboost engine and a 8F35 transmission may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0420 ...
Some 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 2.0L engine may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0036 and/or P0138 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM).
Some 2019-2022 Edge/Nautilus, 2020-2022 Escape/Corsair, and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost or 2.3L EcoBoost may exhibit a lack of power with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) ...
Some 2020-2021 Escape and 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L EcoBoost engines may experience an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P3402. This may be due to the cylinder 1 deactivation solenoid.
4 more on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport page.
What owners wrote
“Car check engine light came on, I came home parked the car, in about 5 minutes the cars embarked in flames, the car burned down to the ground. The safety of my entire home (flames caught onto house) and neighbors home was at risk. The burning car was inspected by Fire Chief of Christiana Fire Company”
Filed Jan 24, 2026
“The car started chugging check engine light came on car studdered before actually turning over.”
Filed Nov 3, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 35 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 127 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 126 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 107 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 66 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 40 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 37 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 35 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 26 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 25 reports