NHTSA (USA)CriticalDo Not Drive
At a glance
What can fail
The front lower control arm ball joints may have been installed or repaired incorrectly at the factory, which could allow the control arm to separate from the front wheel knuckle.
This page covers 4 recalls, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport.
17–20 mpg combined
11.8–13.8 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport received an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. The vehicle earned 5 stars in frontal crash, side crash, and side pole crash tests. It received 4 stars in rollover testing. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a major redesign occurs, so this rating covers the 2026 Bronco Sport lineup.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport has 4 recalls, the most serious being a fire risk from an overheating engine block heater on vehicles so equipped, and a front lower control arm ball joint that can detach and cause a sudden loss of steering control.
The block heater recall affects vehicles with a 1.5L or 2.0L engine: when the heater is plugged in while the vehicle is parked, it can overheat and start a fire. On the suspension side, the front lower control arm ball joint may have been incorrectly installed, allowing the control arm to pull free from the front wheel knuckle entirely, which removes the driver's ability to steer or brake predictably. The passenger seat sensor that determines whether the front seat holds an adult or child can misread its occupant, causing the airbag to deploy at the wrong threshold or not at all in a crash. There is also an electrical concern where the instrument cluster can fail to start up, leaving the driver without a speedometer, warning lights, or any other dashboard information while the vehicle is in motion.
At a glance
What can fail
The front lower control arm ball joints may have been installed or repaired incorrectly at the factory, which could allow the control arm to separate from the front wheel knuckle.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the front lower control arm ball joints as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater can overheat when plugged in while the vehicle is parked, creating a fire risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the block heater and inspect or replace the electrical cord. Owners can also choose to replace the heater element with a plug and remove the cord.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The sensor that detects whether an adult or child sits in the front passenger seat may fail, preventing the airbag system from responding correctly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant classification sensor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument panel cluster may fail to work when you start your vehicle, leaving you without dashboard display.
What the fix does
A software update will be installed on your instrument cluster at no cost through a dealer or automatically over-the-air.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.