NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Ford Bronco Sport Safety Ratings
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport scores 76 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 16 recalls, and 661 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
A park-outside directive stands as a prominent concern for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, contributing to a heavy recall burden of 16 campaigns. This significant recall volume sharply impacts the vehicle's defect record, tempering an otherwise solid safety picture derived from strong crash-test performance. The model achieves a NHTSA Safety Index of 76/100, positioning it in the Average safety band.
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 76/100 and a 5-star overall NHTSA crash-test rating, based on federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport ranks 89 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 76 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 17.4% |
| Recalls on file | 16 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 661 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 89 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport’s federal safety record is dominated by its recall history, particularly for a debut model year. Its 16 recall campaigns are a substantial number and contribute to a defect record scoring 0 out of a possible 20 points. Of particular note is a park-outside ball joint recall, where Ford directed owners not to drive affected vehicles. Further impacting this record are a fuel injector recall for 1.5L engines and a powertrain control module re-repair campaign. In addition to the recalls, 661 owner complaints were filed, some alleging fire and crash incidents. This recall and complaint activity significantly shapes the model’s 76/100 Average Safety Index score. In stark contrast to its defect record, the 2021 Bronco Sport achieved strong crash-test results from NHTSA. It earned a 5-star overall rating, with 5 stars in both frontal and side impact categories. The crash protection sub-score of 66/70 reflects these exceptional results. Additionally, its avoidance technology scored a perfect 10/10, with standard forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport received a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, demonstrating robust performance in crash protection. This rating is supported by perfect 5-star scores in both frontal and side impact assessments. While the rollover evaluation yielded a 4-star rating, with a 17 percent risk of rollover, the dynamic tip test concluded with a "No Tip" result, providing some reassurance for this specific aspect.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15945
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport have any recalls?
Yes. The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport carries 16 recall campaigns. One is a park-outside or do-not-drive directive tied to the front suspension lower ball joint. Other campaigns address the fuel injection system on 1.5L-equipped vehicles, an engine block heater fire risk, a back-over prevention software issue, and a powertrain control module correction for vehicles previously repaired incorrectly. Owners should verify remedy status by VIN.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT26V340000
Risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 b
Reported 2026-05-27
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER25V685000
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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
Reported 2025-10-10
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM25V467000
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software. In addition, dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel rail assembly and fuel injectors, free of charge. As an interim repair, dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 29, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the final remedy is avai
Reported 2025-07-11
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V442000
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Reported 2025-06-27
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)25V158000
Risk: An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S26.
Reported 2025-03-14
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM25V165000
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S21.
Reported 2025-03-14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY25V019000
Risk: Battery failure can result in a loss of electrical accessories, including the hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the 12-volt battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S02. Vehicles in this recall were previously repaired under 24V-267 and will need to have the new remedy completed.
Reported 2025-01-17
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM24V267000
Risk: An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 4, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S24.
Reported 2024-04-12
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM22V859000
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed January 9, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 1st Quarter of 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-
Reported 2022-11-18
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION22V191000
Risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Reported 2022-03-25
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER21V922000
Risk: During certain situations, the driver may have to apply more brake pedal force, and the distance required to stop the vehicle may be extended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front brake pads, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C31.
Reported 2021-11-23
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY21V809000
Risk: A detached glass panel can become a road hazard, and increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the moonroof glass date code and replace the glass, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S46.
Reported 2021-10-15
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
NHTSA has logged 661 unverified consumer complaints against the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. Alleged problems are concentrated in the Electrical System (203 reports), Power Train (170), Engine (137), and Service Brakes (126). Seventeen reported crashes and 15 alleged fire incidents are among the filings. All figures represent unverified allegations, not established defects.
661 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
Any shopper considering a used 2021 Ford Bronco Sport should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall database before purchase. The park-outside ball joint campaign and the fuel injector recall are the highest-priority items to confirm as remedied. Unresolved recalls on a used vehicle transfer with ownership.
- The 2021 model year carries an active park-outside or do-not-drive recall for front lower control arm ball joint failure, one of 16 total recall campaigns specific to this vehicle year.
- Despite a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating and perfect sub-scores in frontal and side protection, the defect record sub-score is 0 out of 20, entirely because of the volume and severity of recall activity tied to this model year.
- The fuel injection system recall targets 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with the 1.5L engine specifically, making engine configuration a key variable when assessing recall exposure on any individual used example.
- NHTSA has received 661 unverified complaints against this model year, with the Electrical System alone accounting for 203 of those filings, the single largest category of alleged problems reported.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport places
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Ford Bronco Sport safety questions
Was the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 76 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 17.4%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 16 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 661 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Bronco Sport years
Rivals in SUV (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tesla Model X 5-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 6-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 7-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-3 | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15945), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Bronco Sport 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 89 of 118 in the SUV class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.