NHTSA Recall Query: Loss of Motive Power in Ford Bronco Sport (RQ24-014)

RQ24-014 at a glance

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 a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24002) to investigate loss of motive power allegations in model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles.

Consumers reported a loss of engine power accompanied by complete electrical system failure either while driving or after stopping at a traffic light or stop sign.

The vehicles generally could not be restarted, and the incidents were commonly diagnosed by dealerships to a failed 12-Volt (12V) battery.

On April 12, 2024, Ford issued safety recall 24V-267 covering 456,565 MY 2021-2024 Ford Bronco Sport and MY 2022-2023 Ford Maverick vehicles.

The recall addressed loss of motive power resulting from sudden degradation of the 12V battery during the drive cycle.

The recall remedy consisted of software updates to the body control module and the powertrain control module.

The updated software aimed to provide warning to consumers when the battery is failing and inhibit certain vehicle functions which can lead to loss of motive power incidents.

Additionally, Ford removed the existing 12V Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB) as both a service component for the subject vehicles and original equipment for newly built Bronco Sport vehicles (during MY 2024 production), replacing it with a more robust absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery.

The same AGM battery had been incorporated into Ford Maverick production in late 2022.

Following recall 24V-267, ODI received loss of motive power complaints in vehicles that had previously received Ford's software-based remedy.

Consumers reported that they did not receive warnings related to the 12V battery or the vehicle's electrical system before the loss of power.

On November 15, 2024, ODI opened Recall Query (RQ24014) to assess the effectiveness of the 24V-267 recall remedy.

On January 19, 2025, Ford issued recall 25V-019 covering 272,817 MY 2021-2023 Bronco Sport and MY 2022-2023 Ford Maverick vehicles.

The new recall addressed the same hazard as 24V-267 but required replacement of the existing 12V battery with an AGM battery as the remedy.

Ford reported that following the opening of RQ24014, it evaluated several field-returned 12V batteries, and determined that EFBs produced by battery supplier Camel potentially contained internal manufacturing defects causing loss of motive power.

Ford further concluded that the software updates provided in the 24V-267 recall remedy were unable to detect battery failures quickly enough to avoid loss of motive power.

Vehicles previously within the scope of recall 24V-267, but outside of the scope of recall 25V-019, are equipped with EFBs produced by a different battery supplier (Clarios).

When recall 25V-019 was issued, Ford had not identified any Clarios EFBs exhibiting the same failure mode as the Camel EFBs.

In light of Ford's recall action, ODI is closing this Recall Query.

The agency will continue to monitor loss of motive power complaints in Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with Clarios EFBs and 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 recall query?

Recall Query is a review of whether an earlier recall actually fixed the problem or covered all the vehicles it should have. A recall query is opened when owners keep reporting the same failure after the recall repair.

Did this investigation lead to a recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists recall 25V019000 as the result of this investigation: 2021-2023 Ford Bronco Sport 12-Volt Battery Recall (25V019).

Which vehicles are part of this investigation?

What are Ford Bronco Sport owners reporting to NHTSA?

NHTSA’s public database lists 2,017 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

What should owners do?

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
2. 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.
3. Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
4. File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
5. 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)
• 2025-2026 Ford Maverick Sunroof Recall (26V157)
• 2025 Ford Ranger Gas Recirculation Valve Recall (26V122)
• 2021-2026 Ford F-150 Taillight Recall (26V104)
• 2022-2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid Transmission Control Module Recall (25V881)
• 2025-2026 Ford Maverick Dashboard Recall (25V884)

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.

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