Ford’s Bronco Sport earned a place on Consumer Reports’ recommended list at the end of 2024 after a notable improvement in predicted reliability. The endorsement applies strictly to new vehicles and does not extend to used examples, especially the 2021 model year, which received low marks for dependability.

Owners of 2021 Bronco Sport models repeatedly reported serious troubles, most often brake-system issues, head-gasket defects, and assembly flaws affecting individual components. With that history, buyers are being nudged toward the latest iterations instead—an approach that feels sensible given the early batch’s track record.

Ford had earlier decided to postpone the launch of the updated 2025 model to carry out necessary refinements and fix identified design shortcomings. The pause looks prudent: despite the delay, the new Bronco Sport emerged as the outright class winner among compact SUVs in J.D. Power’s 2024 initial reliability ranking.