2021 Ford Bronco Sport · symptom sheet
Engine overheats or leaks coolant
- 26owner reports
- 55,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Apr 21, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026
165 of the 684 complaints on this car are about the engine. 26 of those describe overheating.
Tick what matches of 26 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the water pump (15 reports) and the coolant hose or reservoir (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the oil separator for damage or oil leaks, and replace the oil separator and seals, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S21.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 37,000 and 75,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“The water pump has been replaced twice already and the water pump needs to be replaced again at 105,000 miles. This will be the fourth water pump this vehicle has. The originally came with, two replacements, and now the one that it needs because it is leaking like the previous three. The turbo charger failed and was burning oil. That was replaced. A month later it is back at the dealership being replaced again”
Filed Apr 16, 2025 · 105,000 miles
“Currently at 30,000 miles. Water pump goes out every 10k miles, rear differential went out, front control arm and strut went out.”
Filed Sep 29, 2024 · 30,000 miles
“Engine alternator failed at approximately 50,000 miles. The bearing failed and the pulley ultimately sheared off. We own 5 of these vehicles and 3 of the 5 have had this issue. The water pump also failed.”
Filed Oct 11, 2023 · 50,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 26 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.
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 126 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 125 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 105 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 65 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 38 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 37 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 35 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 33 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 25 reports