2021 Ford Bronco Sport

Electrical System

Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 77 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “infotainment screen randomly goes black and/or disconnects from Android Auto.” (NHTSA Complaint #11695122)

Powertrain

Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 72 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “We were told by the dealership that our 2021 Ford Bronco Sport with only 83,831 has a failed transmission and will need to be replaced.” (NHTSA Complaint #11725459)

Brakes

Brake defects affecting safety may qualify for California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, which applies to defects likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has generated 63 NHTSA complaints related to braking, including ABS failures, grinding, reduced stopping power, and warning lights. Owner reports include: “On November 11, 2025, my 2021 Ford Bronco Sport experienced a complete brake system failure while driving. The brake pedal suddenly became extremely hard, and there was no braking power at all. The vehicle had to be stopped using the parking brake. This same issue occurred previously in July 2025, when the brake vacuum booster failed and was replaced at the Ford dealership. The problem has now recurred less than six months later. The vehicle is not safe to drive and is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk because the brakes failed completely without warning while the vehicle was in motion. If traffic conditions had been heavier, a collision could have occurred. The issue has not yet been confirmed by the dealership for this most recent occurrence, but the same Ford dealer that repaired it in July handled the prior failure. The vehicle will be towed there again for inspection. No warning lamps or dashboard messages appeared before or during either failure. The only symptom was a sudden loss of brake assist and a hard, unresponsive brake pedal. This appears to be a repeated failure of the brake vacuum or brake assist system, which I understand has been part of a previous Ford recall (21C31) affecting 2021 Bronco Sport models. But my VIN number was not included in the Recall. This is my second reporting and needs to be recalled.” (NHTSA Complaint #11698868)

Fuel System

Fuel and propulsion system defects can cause stalling, fuel leaks, or power loss — all substantial impairments of use and safety. The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has generated 35 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle began shaking and hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the failure was associated with DTC: P0456 EVAP (Very Small Leak in EVAP Emission Control System). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 83,191.” (NHTSA Complaint #11721014)

Other Systems

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has generated 35 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “LOSS COMPLETE POWER WHILE DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE DASHBOARD LIT UP BUT NO POWER. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TRIED TO CHARGE BATTERY IT WAS NOT THAT. HE WAS DUMBFOUNDED ON WHAT HAPPENED. I SAT IN A VEHICLE ON A BUSY ROAD IN RUSH HOUR FOR OVER AN HOUR BECAUSE i HAD NO SAFE PLACE TO GO. NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR, NO NOISES. JUST DIED WHILE IN USE. WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD 48 HRS LATER ITS DRIVING FINE. THEY CANT FIND AN ISSUE. I AGAIN EXPLAINED I LOSS COMPLETE POWER AND WAS PUT IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS WELL AS THE FACT THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS IN THE 20S. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT SERVICE WITH NO ANSWERS, THIS IS THE 4TH SERVICE IN LESS THAN 60 DAYS WITH ISSUES. 2 WHERE TRANSMISSION, 1 WAS A GAS VALVE” (NHTSA Complaint #11712474)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The following 15 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport by the NHTSA or Ford. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2021 Ford Bronco Sport:

• 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
• 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
• 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Ford to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Ford must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2021 Ford Bronco Sport qualifies as a lemon under California law, Ford may be legally required to:

• Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
• Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
• Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Ford pays all legal fees if you prevail
• Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Ford willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Ford a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Ford dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Ford pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Ford a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2021 Ford Bronco Sport Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2021 Ford Bronco Sport as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Ford pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Ford is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.