NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation: Loss of Motive Power in 2021-2023 Ford Bronco Sport (PE24-002)
Opened January 31, 2024 · Ford Motor Company
NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation (PE24-002) on January 31, 2024 into loss of motive power in 2021-2023 Ford Bronco Sport. The investigation is closed on August 19, 2024 and led to recall 24V267000.
PE24-002 at a glance
| NHTSA action number | PE24-002 |
|---|---|
| Type | Preliminary Evaluation |
| Opened | January 31, 2024 |
| Status | Closed August 19, 2024 |
| Vehicles | 2021-2023 Ford Bronco Sport |
| Component | Electrical System > 12V/24V/48V Battery |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Resulting recall | 24V267000 |
What is NHTSA investigating in the Ford Bronco Sport?
From NHTSA’s investigation summary:
On January 31, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE24002 to investigate allegations of loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles.
At that time, ODI had received 31 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs), with consumers commonly reporting a loss of engine power accompanied by complete electrical system failure which occurred either while driving, or after coming to a stop.
The investigation revealed that MY 2021-2024 Ford Bronco Sport and certain MY 2022-2023 Ford Maverick vehicles are equipped with a 12V enhanced flooded battery (EFB), which may experience an abrupt failure during a drive cycle.
The failure is the result of an internal corrosion issue, which is influenced by long exposure to high under-hood temperatures.
If the sudden loss of 12V battery voltage is not detected by the vehicle's battery management sensor, the vehicle can experience a loss of power event without providing any warning to the driver.
Following a loss of power due to battery failure, the vehicle may be without all 12V accessories including hazard lights and typically will not be able to be restarted.
In its March 2024 response to ODI's information request, Ford provided 367 customer complaints (including field reports, lawsuits, and legal claims) and 1005 warranty claims relating to the alleged defect.
When combining ODI and manufacturer failure report data, there are 1,368 unique VINs represented across MY 2021-2023 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles.
One of the VOQs submitted to NHTSA reported a minor rear-end collision resulting from a loss of power event.
Included within Ford's complaints were a reported single-vehicle collision and a vehicle fire which occurred following a loss of power event at a traffic light (fire cause and origin was not determined).
Additionally, across ODI and manufacturer data, there were 12 allegations of either acid leaking from the 12V battery or smoke emitting from the battery area within the engine compartment.
On April 12, 2024, Ford submitted recall 24V267 for MY 2021-2024 Ford Bronco Sport and certain MY 2022-2023 Ford Maverick vehicles (total population 456,565).
The recall remedy provides updated calibrations to the body control module and powertrain control module.
Ford indicated that the update will result in improved detection of 12V battery state of charge during drive cycles and will provide notification to the driver if the battery significantly degrades while driving.
Additionally, Ford has replaced the EFB with an absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery as both a service component for the subject vehicles and as original equipment for Bronco Sport vehicles with production dates beginning in mid-March 2024.
The warranty claim rate for peer vehicles equipped with an AGM battery is substantially lower than that for the subject vehicle population.
In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation.
The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
What is a preliminary evaluation?
Preliminary Evaluation is the first stage of a federal defect investigation. NHTSA reviews complaints, crash reports and manufacturer data to decide whether a safety defect may exist. It can close with no action, be upgraded to an engineering analysis, or end with a recall.
Did this investigation lead to a recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists recall 24V267000 as the result of this investigation: 2021-2024 Ford Bronco Sport Body Control Module Recall (24V267).
Which vehicles are part of this investigation?
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | Ford | Bronco Sport |
What are Ford Bronco Sport owners reporting to NHTSA?
NHTSA’s public database lists 1,212 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
What should owners do?
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
- If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
- Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
- File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
- If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.
Recalls on the same vehicles
- 2026 Ford Maverick Body Panel Recall (26V550)
- 2026 Ford Explorer Engine Recall (26V548)
- 2021-2026 Ford Bronco Sport Lower Ball Joint Recall (26V340)
- 2025 Ford Maverick Engine Block Heater Recall (26V239)
- 2025-2026 Ford Bronco Sport Passenger Air Bag Recall (26V201)
- 2025 Ford Ranger Gas Recirculation Valve Recall (26V122)
- 2025-2026 Ford Bronco Instrument Cluster Recall (25V788)
- 2021-2023 Ford Explorer Engine Block Heater Recall (25V685)
- 2021-2024 Ford Bronco Sport Fuel Injection System Recall (25V467)
- 2021-2023 Ford Transit Backup Camera Software Recall (25V442)
Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?
Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).
An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA investigation, recall and complaint data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page reports public NHTSA data and is general information, not legal advice. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.