Bronco Sport Anyone Have One

street

street

Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
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I have been contemplating buying a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend Sasquatch 4x4. It has a MSRP of 34,800$ price and can get it for 29700$ with rebates.
It has 4x4 capability but not a true 4x4 but might be better then AWD, and still has a 25 to 30 MPG rating. I'm looking for both of those boxes checked plus price of vehicle. Not sure there is something more affordable out there that fits my needs??

Any thought or views with my thinking or pros and conns of the vehicle.
 
That sounds like a good deal. Just avoid the model with the 3 cylinder engine.
 
That is a good price. I wonder if that is better than a Ford Maverick AWD.
 
Bronco Sport is the smaller one. I think it's based on Escape, just with different body; but check for yourself if serious on them.

My sister has an Escape Hybrid, and it has worked out well for her with almost all in-town driving. But I think it's FWD only.
 
Ah this one has the very small 1.5L ecoboost. I think the Maverick is a better deal considering it is the same price and has a stronger 2.0L ecoboost or even the hybrid 2.5L which gets better mileage and probably will last longer.
 
street said:
I have been contemplating buying a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend Sasquatch 4x4. It has a MSRP of 34,800$ price and can get it for 29700$ with rebates.
It has 4x4 capability but not a true 4x4 but might be better then AWD, and still has a 25 to 30 MPG rating. I'm looking for both of those boxes checked plus price of vehicle. Not sure there is something more affordable out there that fits my needs??

Any thought or views with my thinking or pros and conns of the vehicle.
Click to expand...
I did a quick look on ford.com.
I think I would prefer the Outer Banks or Badlands model with Advanced 4x4. Even then, it doesn't look like it has high-range/low-range capability like my F-150 does.

I'm assuming you have snow and off-road use planned...
 
TheWizard said:
I did a quick look on ford.com.
I think I would prefer the Outer Banks or Badlands model with Advanced 4x4. Even then, it doesn't look like it has high-range/low-range capability like my F-150 does.

I'm assuming you have snow and off-road use planned...
Click to expand...
The one time I used low-range on our 2017 F150 I blew it up and it cost $3500 to repair (warranty didn't cover). I put a piece of tape over 4L and never turn the switch there now.
 
I have a 21 Bronco Sport Badlands and also a F150 4x4. I lived in an area with a lot of snow/ice.

The Badlands not only has AWD and a "slippery mode" (which tells the computer to be more diligent in using the rears) but also can be locked into 4WD (via push button) and also a lockable diff. It uses a RDU (rear drivel unit) which is not a real locker - but is quite nice:
I love this thing in the winter, even better than my truck. Why? It is in AWD (unlike the truck) and when needed is super easy to lock the 4WD.
Note: I run in the winter with studded snows on both of these vehicles. Snow tires make more of a difference than AWD.
Looking at the Sasquatch package, it seems like it includes the RDU, so that would be good. I do think the 2.0 EB is a better engine, but there is quite the price jump to get to the Badlands.

As others have noted, the Maverick has the 2.0EB (or hybrid). The Tremor has a lockable diff and *I THINK* the lobo also has a twin-clutch rear-drive unit. If so, you might consider a 2025 Lobo leftover as they had/have? a 2K rebate plus 1K extra rebate if you get Ford Supplier (X-plan) pricing.
 
Fermion said:
The one time I used low-range on our 2017 F150 I blew it up and it cost $3500 to repair (warranty didn't cover). I put a piece of tape over 4L and never turn the switch there now.
Click to expand...
Well that's sad.
About the only time I use it is on the 1/3 mile logging road that I built. Lots of rocky zones on that "road" and 4L provides more low-end torque at walking speed. 4H tries to go too fast at idle speed and sometimes won't climb a small boulder without me having to give it more gas.

Sometimes when pulling out a downed oak tree with rope and chains, I even turn on the locking rear differential. But you MUST remember to turn off locking when no longer needed!
 
I have a full size 2024 Bronco Badlands. My wife had a Bronco Sport, Outer Banks. DO NOT BUY ONE.
It was her worst car ever. It died in traffic twice. Wheels locked up. Had to put it on plastic blocks to get it on the tow bed. Constant electrical issues. Battery issues. She traded out of it. Read the Bronco forums. That’s where you find out the real scoop.
I even have problems with my full size. It has less than 6000 miles on it and I have had two major repairs, brake and cam related, covered under warranty, but still a hassle. Ford’s quality, in our personal experience, is very bad.
 
Fermion said:
The one time I used low-range on our 2017 F150 I blew it up and it cost $3500 to repair (warranty didn't cover). I put a piece of tape over 4L and never turn the switch there now.
Click to expand...
How did you blow it up?
 
My best friend has the Bronco Sport Outer Banks model and loves it. A lot. In fact, he's now on his second one. He loved the first one, but when the darker blue model came out, he traded just to get that new color. Test drive it to make sure the engine performs to your satisfaction. He has no problem with the smaller engine. It does what he needs it to do. He's had zero mechanical issues with it. He's had one since they were released. He waited for 6 months after he pre-ordered the first one.
 
copyright1997reloaded said:
I have a 21 Bronco Sport Badlands and also a F150 4x4. I lived in an area with a lot of snow/ice.

The Badlands not only has AWD and a "slippery mode" (which tells the computer to be more diligent in using the rears) but also can be locked into 4WD (via push button) and also a lockable diff. It uses a RDU (rear drivel unit) which is not a real locker - but is quite nice:
Click to expand...
Sounds interesting.
So is the Bronco Sport fundamentally a front-wheel drive with augmentation to drive the rear wheels also when needed?

That would be different from an F-150 which is RWD to start with. Mine also has a 4A ("auto") mode which is RWD most of the time but switches some torque to the front if the rear wheels are slipping, thus preventing fishtailing in slippery conditions.

Sounds like the higher end Broncos are similar...
 
I remember there being quite a few recalls on the Bronco Sports.

A quick Internet search shows the following:

Key Recalls for 2025 Bronco Sport:
  • Instrument Panel (IPC) Failure: A software issue can cause the digital display to go blank, hiding vital info like speed and warning lights.
    • Fix: A free software update at a Ford dealer or over-the-air (OTA).
    • NHTSA Recall: 25V540.
    • Engine Oil Leak (Fire Risk): A manufacturing defect in 1.5L engines can cause cylinder head cracks, leading to oil leaks and potential fire.
      • Fix: Dealers will replace the cylinder heads.
    • Engine Block Heater: An overheating issue when plugged in.
      • Fix: Check for specific recall details for this issue.

You can watch this video for more details on the fuel injector recall:
Related video thumbnail

44s


1768510410427.png
1768510410434.png
Pickup Truck Plus SUV Talk
YouTube • Jul 16, 2025
How to Check Your Vehicle:
  1. Visit: Ford's recall page or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.
  2. Enter VIN: Type in your vehicle's unique 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

I would make sure all recalls have been completed before you get one.

Side note: DW really likes the looks of the light blue Bronco Sport. :biggrin:
 
jazz4cash said:
How did you blow it up?
Click to expand...
Was pulling a small aluminum snowmobile trailer (about 1800 pounds with the snowmobiles) on our mountain property driveway. There was about 6 inches of snow and the truck was spinning out in 4wd high. I thought 4wd low locked the diff so I put the vehicle in park, switched from 4wd high to 4wd low, then tried again. Truck rocked, wheels spun, then BANG. I got out and looked and the snow was melting under the engine where the transfer case had grenaded. At first Ford claimed I had hit something while driving, so I filed with insurance, then insurance said it was a mechanical problem so I went back to Ford who then said I had abused the vehicle.
 
Fermion said:
Was pulling a small aluminum snowmobile trailer (about 1800 pounds with the snowmobiles) on our mountain property driveway. There was about 6 inches of snow and the truck was spinning out in 4wd high. I thought 4wd low locked the diff so I put the vehicle in park, switched from 4wd high to 4wd low, then tried again. Truck rocked, wheels spun, then BANG. I got out and looked and the snow was melting under the engine where the transfer case had grenaded. At first Ford claimed I had hit something while driving, so I filed with insurance, then insurance said it was a mechanical problem so I went back to Ford who then said I had abused the vehicle.
Click to expand...
Wow.
Since that was first time you used 4L, I'm hoping it was still under warranty.
PXL_20260115_215831097.jpg

On my 2016 F-150, the e-locker gets engaged by pulling on the switch in this picture, and takes effect in any of the four drive modes.
As mentioned previously, be sure not to leave it engaged on hard dry road surfaces!
 
Talk to any independent repair shop that does a decent volume of repairs and they will tell you to run, not walk away from these. The whole line of EcoBoost engines have problems, but different problems depending on which one you were unfortunate enough to buy.

Here's a small sampling of just a few of the Ford Ecoboost issues, broken down by specific EcoBoost engine:

The 1.5L, 1.6L, and 2.0L EcoBoost enignes often leak oil and coolant due to head gasket failure, cracked heads or cracked engine blocks. When coolant enters the combustion chamber you'll get random misfires, loss of coolant that can lead to overheating, and if bad enough, will hydrolock the engine leading to complete failure.

Other issues are excessive carbon buildup on intake valves resulting in rough idle, bad fuel economy and reduced performance, much more so than in most direct injected engines. Also turbocharger failures are all to common on relatively low mileage engines.

Possibly one of the worst ideas in engine design history goes to Ford with their "wet belt" design used in some EcoBoost engines, most commonly the 1.0L. Someone at Ford decided it would be a great idea to submerge the timing belt in oil. Many don't make to the first recommended replacement interval before failure and they'll leave you stranded.

I could go on, but don't have anymore time at the moment.

How anyone that has done their research would buy one of these and trust it on long trips, remains a mystery to me. There are just so many better alternatives from higher quality manufactures, there's no reason to settle for one of these. Yes, they are cheap and heavily discounted for good reason.

​

​

 
freedomatlast said:
Talk to any independent repair shop that does a decent volume of repairs and they will tell you to run, not walk away from these. The whole line of EcoBoost engines have problems, but different problems depending on which one you were unfortunate enough to buy.

Here's a small sampling of just a few of the Ford Ecoboost issues, broken down by specific EcoBoost engine:

The 1.5L, 1.6L, and 2.0L EcoBoost enignes often leak oil and coolant due to head gasket failure, cracked heads or cracked engine blocks. When coolant enters the combustion chamber you'll get random misfires, loss of coolant that can lead to overheating, and if bad enough, will hydrolock the engine leading to complete failure.

Other issues are excessive carbon buildup on intake valves resulting in rough idle, bad fuel economy and reduced performance, much more so than in most direct injected engines. Also turbocharger failures are all to common on relatively low mileage engines.

Possibly one of the worst ideas in engine design history goes to Ford with their "wet belt" design used in some EcoBoost engines, most commonly the 1.0L. Someone at Ford decided it would be a great idea to submerge the timing belt in oil. Many don't make to the first recommended replacement interval before failure and they'll leave you stranded.

I could go on, but don't have anymore time at the moment.

How anyone that has done their research would buy one of these and trust it on long trips, remains a mystery to me. There are just so many better alternatives from higher quality manufactures, there's no reason to settle for one of these. Yes, they are cheap and heavily discounted for good reason.

​

​

Click to expand...
Not all wet timing belts are created equal.

Our 2024 Trax has a 1.2L 3-cylinder with the wet timing belt and so far they have held up pretty well in the Trailblazers since 2021 as well as the Trax since 2024. They require synthetic oil, and regular oil changes to ensure longevity. I was somewhat skeptical about it at first. The stealership where we bought our Chevrolet included a lifetime powertrain warranty for free so that helped remove some of my trepidation about the wet timing belt.

Only time will tell, but the GM turbo-3s with these haven't had many catastrophic failures due to wet timing belts. I have heard that GM charges a lot for belt replacement. ($450-$900 for a $50 belt) The manual says to change it every 150,000 miles, but I'll most likely have it changed when it hits 100K, if we ever put that many miles on it. The manual also says to change the oil every 5,000 miles or once a year, but we've been changing it every 3,000 miles or less since that's all the miles we put on it each year so far. I guess time will tell.

Disclosure: The Trax is assembled in South Korea and the 1.2L engines are made in Mexico, then shipped to S. Korea for assembly into the vehicles.
 
I don't know about the smaller ones but people do seem to like the 2.7L and 3.5L ecoboosts.
 
street said:
I have been contemplating buying a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend Sasquatch 4x4. It has a MSRP of 34,800$ price and can get it for 29700$ with rebates.
It has 4x4 capability but not a true 4x4 but might be better then AWD, and still has a 25 to 30 MPG rating. I'm looking for both of those boxes checked plus price of vehicle. Not sure there is something more affordable out there that fits my needs??

Any thought or views with my thinking or pros and conns of the vehicle.
Click to expand...
So street, woud the Bronco replace your Maverick or be in addition to your Maverick?
 
Oh, so Street, are you getting rid of the Maverick? I have been considering a hybrid Maverick AWD with the 4k towing as a 2nd vehicle but would like to hear any negatives.
 
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