What 664 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Early Release

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 60 MPH and entering the base at 15 MPH, the overheating message was displayed. The driver pulled over, and the light turned off. After exiting the vehicle, he noticed the vehicle had caught fire. The driver disconnected the battery. There were no reported injuries. Another driver stopped with a fire extinguisher to assist with putting out the fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was contacted, who initially was sending an inspector but changed to viewing the photos. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11720708

Car check engine light came on, I came home parked the car, in about 5 minutes the cars embarked in flames, the car burned down to the ground. The safety of my entire home (flames caught onto house) and neighbors home was at risk. The burning car was inspected by Fire Chief of Christiana Fire Company

NHTSA ODI 11713086

I hit the start button on my car and it began to flicker lights and start over and over again then it started an electrical fire in the front of the vehicle. We had to quickly disconnect the battery to get it to stop trying to start. I took it to the dealer and they said it was a defective starter. If I didn’t have tools or if my car was in the garage I could have been asphyxiated or my house could have caught on fire.

NHTSA ODI 11652379

On 1/23/24, car was serviced for an electrical fault with the fuel pump control module which was confirmed via a vehicle alert. On 6/12/24, car was serviced for a software update recall. (I believe this was in relation to the fuel injector issue.) On 7/4/24, the car would not start but kept clicking trying to start. White smoke started coming out from under the hood. Panicked, we called the fire department and my niece's husband disconnected the battery so that the car would quit trying to start in an effort to mitigate a full fire. We could smell burning and fuel. The fire department even confirmed something smelled like it had burned but there was no active fire, so they told us to leave the battery disconnected and have it towed. I had the car towed to the dealership for $249. (Of which Ford only reimbursed me $140) My car sat for 2 weeks before Ford service confirmed the fuel injectors needed to be replaced as part of the 22N18 recall, but also said the battery was bad. Prior to this incident, I had 0 issues other than the issue in January. I had no notifications of battery issues in my app, no dimming of lights, etc. I had to pay over $300 to replace the battery so Ford could do "further testing" since I was a month out of the 36 month warranty. I picked up my car on 7/26/24 and when I started it in the bay, I smelled burning and even asked a different employee who confirmed he smelled it, and we were told by the manager that it was "old fuel burning off." He assured me the car was fine. I noticed my car being slow to start and having an odd issue whenever I turned, like a rubbing sound and it still had a burning smell even though I had to pay Ford to replace the cabin air filter. This was all new. Then, 8/18/24, my car again would not start, all the electrical lit up and the brakes were locked up. My car started smoking again under the hood as it kept trying to start. We could hear sounds like it was trying to start. Again, car is being towed to Ford.

NHTSA ODI 11609221

I was driving and the vehicle cut off completely. Lost all power and brakes and steering while driving. I hit the vehicle in front of me. The car would not restart. It got towed to the dealer. It has no power. The hazard lights would not even turn on and car could not be put in neutral to move. I was on a busy road so it was very scary while waiting on a tow truck.

NHTSA ODI 11586229

My 2021 Bronco failed our family on Friday. The Bronco failed to start upon pressing the start and brake pedal. The main console panel started flashing then cycling through all kinds of failure alerts. There was a series loud noises from the engine, the headlights flashed off and on for over 3 minutes and then the engine started smoking. The doors would not open and we were stuck inside while the engine was smoking. That smoke came through the air vents as well. Finally, I was able to get my door open though couldn’t open my son’s rear passenger side door from the outside. He was stuck inside for what seemed like forever. He was able to open it finally and I carried him inside. My son’s legs are paralyzed and he does not walk. My main concern was getting him to a safe place as I was scared to death that the engine was going to explode in that moment. The engine smoke started to ease up however the electrical burning smell was overwhelming. This all took place in my garage. The trunk would not unlock and my key fob would not engage with the vehicle at all during this time. The trunk hatch lock finally disengaged and I was finally able to get his wheelchair out. Everything failed. I could not get the Bronco into neutral at any point. The Bronco is currently at my local Ford dealer where I was told I have to wait a week before it can even be looked at. I was told "it's just the battery...." There is NO way my experience was "just the battery." As of 10/10/2023 no one from corporate or the dealer has reached out to me. Once I got to the dealer (Jarret Gordon Ford Davenport), they were so dismissive of me. The service advisor never even asked if my son or myself were OK.

NHTSA ODI 11549110

When trying to start the vehicle, it would not crank. Instead, all dash indicator lights, interior lights, and exterior lights began flashing. Numerous random error messages began flashing on the dashboard screen. Then a large plume of smoke began coming out from under the hood and there was an acrid burning smell. No flames were visible so the fire department would not respond when called and advised to have it towed. After much difficulty loading onto a tow truck (the parking brake would not disengage--dash indicated a parking brake fault as one of the many errors--so it had to be dragged onto the flatbed tow truck) the vehicle was towed to the local dealership in Dothan, AL. Per the dealership, there was an underhood fire involving the starter and battery. We are unable to inspect the damaged components. They stated they are unable to remedy the smoke smell that has permeated the vehicle despite the disabling lung conditions of one of our family members. We have tried numerous times over the last 9 months to get the dealership to perform service required by NHTSA Recall # 22V859, but they keep stating the parts are unavailable. They will not say whether this underhood fire is directly related to the recall already in effect.

NHTSA ODI 11544366

After I turned on the car, unbeknownst to me, the Ford Bronco stayed revved up and it did not slow down. I then switched from park to reverse and the Bronco went so fast (>4000rpm) that I ended up hitting the tree so hard that the tree was uprooted. The car was not driveable and it had to be towed. This is under progressive insurance claim: 22-3913700. The insurance company would not check the "inside" of the car (etc...transmission, electrical, etc...) as they say this is prior to the accident. I have called the Ford dealership for assistance several times to report this and for them to take a look at the inside of the car, but they have not returned my messages.

NHTSA ODI 11481418

I started my car on 2/15. Drove about .5 miles down the street through a fast food place. Drove another .9 miles down the street. I heard a pop and pulled over immediately and the car was already on fire. The car had around 3542 miles on it. I had just leased it in September. Ford says this was the only vehicle that this has happened too. The inspection is happening with the insurance company as well as Ford Motor Company. No prior issues and no warning signs on the car before the fire.

NHTSA ODI 11454100

Both interior liftgate lights inoperative. However, the "liftgate ajar light", and came on without warning as I was driving. I had not opened the litigate. Radio system skips & pops. fails to load tor loads slowly. Brakes failed to fully engage quickly on a slow turn, causing a total loss accident. Vehicle has 645 miles on it. I love my Bronco Sport. But..is it safe to drive if I order a new one? Can there be a cross check done by VIN to ensure I'm not getting one with the same problem? Specifically, the brakes? The brake issue worries me Please advise. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, [XXX]. Vehicle purchased at Pundmann Ford, Saint Charles. Mo. 63301 on 12/3/2021 [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11449342