NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2026 Ford Bronco Sport Safety Ratings
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport scores 79 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 6 recalls, and 2 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
A critical safety obligation faces prospective buyers of the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport: four active recalls, most notably a park-outside campaign, require immediate attention. Despite this, the vehicle achieves a NHTSA Safety Index of 81 out of 100, placing it in our "Strong" band. Crash protection for the Bronco Sport is a genuine highlight.
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 81 out of 100 and an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars, sourced from federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 143 SUVs from 2026 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport ranks 134 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 79 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 17.4% |
| Recalls on file | 6 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 2 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 134 of 143 SUVs tested for 2026 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport?
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport launches with a notable deficiency in its active safety suite. The vehicle’s avoidance technology sub-score is only 2 out of 10, as neither forward collision warning nor lane departure warning are standard equipment. Electronic stability control is standard. Despite this, the Bronco Sport achieves an 81 out of 100 in our Safety Index, placing it in the Strong band. This is largely due to its crash protection sub-score of 66 out of a possible 70. This reflects near-perfect NHTSA star ratings for frontal, side, and overall crash categories. The only exception in crash performance is its rollover rating of 4 out of 5 stars, indicating a 17 percent rollover risk. The defect record sub-score of 13 out of 20 accounts for four active recalls. One of these recalls is significant, carrying a park-outside severity designation due to a front lower control arm ball joint failure risk. This blend of strong crashworthiness, a limited suite of active safety features, and a substantial recall burden defines the 2026 Bronco Sport's initial safety assessment.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport perform in crash tests?
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport achieved a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. This includes 5 out of 5 stars for both frontal and side crash protection. Its rollover resistance category, however, registered 4 out of 5 stars, reflecting a 17 percent rollover risk. The dynamic tip test for the Bronco Sport resulted in "No Tip."
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 21394
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport have any recalls?
Yes. Four recalls cover this model year. The most serious is a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign tied to the front lower control arm ball joint, a suspension safety issue. Additional campaigns address the engine block heater, the occupant classification sensor affecting front-passenger airbag deployment, and a potential instrument panel cluster failure at startup. Owners should verify remedy status by VIN immediately.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL26V548000
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
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 Identifica
Reported 2026-08-25
STRUCTURE:BODY26V550000
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.
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.go
Reported 2026-08-25
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 HEATER26V239000
Risk: An overheated engine block heater 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, 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, 2
Reported 2026-04-14
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER26V201000
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.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2026-03-31
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL25V788000
Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2025-11-14
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport?
With only 2 total complaints on file, the volume is very low. Unverified consumer allegations reported to NHTSA touch the Electrical System, Engine, Forward Collision Avoidance, and an Unknown or Other category. No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths are alleged in these reports.
2 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport?
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport's recall record is its most pressing safety concern, with four campaigns issued. Prospective owners should verify recall remedy completion, particularly for the park-outside advisory related to ball joints. This specific issue, given the potential for vehicle movement, necessitates confirmation that all required repairs have been performed before taking delivery. Owners cannot assume that dealer preparation has addressed all four outstanding campaigns.
- A park-outside or do-not-drive recall is active on the 2026 Bronco Sport specifically for a front lower control arm ball joint defect, making VIN-level remedy verification a non-negotiable step before purchase or continued use.
- Three additional 2026-specific recall campaigns cover the engine block heater, the occupant classification sensor that governs front-passenger airbag deployment, and the instrument panel cluster, meaning this model year carries four open recall obligations simultaneously.
- NHTSA crash testing gave the 2026 Bronco Sport a perfect 5-star overall score, but the avoidance-technology sub-score of 2 out of 10 reflects the absence of standard forward collision warning and lane departure warning, a notable gap in the active-safety suite for a current model year.
- Complaint volume for this model year is very low at 2 total unverified reports to NHTSA, but the presence of an allegation touching Forward Collision Avoidance is worth monitoring given the vehicle's already limited active-safety equipment score.
RANKINGSWhere the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport places
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2026 Ford Bronco Sport safety questions
Was the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 79 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 2026 Ford Bronco Sport crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2026 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 2026 Ford Bronco Sport have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 6 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2026 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 2026 Ford Bronco Sport?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 2 owner complaints are on file for the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Bronco Sport years
Rivals in SUV (2026)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus GX 550 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus Rz 350e BEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus Rz 550e BEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander MHEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 21394), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Bronco Sport 2026.
- 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 134 of 143 in the SUV class for 2026.
- 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.