Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Ford Bronco Sport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, exhaust fumes and a fuel odor entered the cabin, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The engine misfired, and the vehicle hesitated while driving. Upon inspecting under the hood, the contact discovered black soot in the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for diagnosis, where the dealer determined that the piston solenoid, catalytic converter, and driver's side lower control arm and bushing needed replacement. The contact stated that the PCM was previously replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V340000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that there was an abnormally loud grinding sound detected while driving, reversing, and turning the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, who related the failure to a recall. The mechanics referred the contact to the dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V011000 (Power Train), 21V074000 (Suspension) and 21V075000 (Suspension). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there were no open recalls. The dealer diagnosed and determined that the rear clutch needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 MPH and turning slowly to the left, the contact heard an abnormal grinding sound from the driver's side rear wheel well. The contact stated that the failure also recurred while turning to the right. The contact checked under the driver's side of the vehicle and noticed that the CV axle was loose where adjoined to the wheel. The contact stated that the passenger's side rear CV axle was also loose. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing, there was an abnormal screeching sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to stop while reversing. The driver shifted into drive(D) and moved forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the rear shock absorber reservoir. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V025000 (Suspension); however, the repair was still under development. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while attempting to make a left turn, the front and rear end of the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that neither a dealer nor an independent was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an undisclosed Technical Service Bulletin; however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 24,900.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for new tires. While the vehicle was being serviced, it was determined that the rear shocks were leaking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V025000 (Suspension). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving or while stopped, the rear differential seized, causing the rear wheels to lock up. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to move forward. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the rear differential fluid was replaced. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and making a right turn, the vehicle was vibrating and shaking abnormally. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the shaking ceased. The contact stated that the failure had become a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and making turns or coming to a stop, the rear end of the vehicle made an abnormal loud screeching and scratching sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear end of the vehicle had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 97,500.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the shocks located at the rear of the vehicle were leaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the shock absorbers had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles. The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuckle.
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…
Suspension › Rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles. The rear suspension subframe assembly may have loose or missing bolts.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear suspension bolts, and secure or replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2021.
Suspension › Front › Control arm
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles. These vehicles may have been produced with incorrect front lower control arms.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front lower control arms, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Suspension complaints in other Bronco Sport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the suspension of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, 3% of the model year's 709 complaints. The component named most often is front › shock absorber (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Ford Bronco Sport suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 26V-340 (lower ball joint, May 27, 2026); NHTSA recall 21V-075 (rear, Feb 16, 2021); NHTSA recall 21V-074 (control arm, Feb 16, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Ford Bronco Sport suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.