Hey everyone, my fiancé and I are looking into getting a new car, and the Bronco Sport caught our eye. We’re planning to test drive it tomorrow, but before we commit, we wanted to ask: what are the common issues or things we should be aware of as future owners? Any advice would be awesome!
The glare from the hood is no joke when driving into the sun. It reflects so much it feels like an extra sun attack.
Harley said:
The glare from the hood is no joke when driving into the sun. It reflects so much it feels like an extra sun attack.
Completely agree. I’ve been annoyed by this since day one.
Harley said:
The glare from the hood is no joke when driving into the sun. It reflects so much it feels like an extra sun attack.
I think the paint color might make a difference here.
@Jay
Which colors are worse for it?
Here’s a list of issues I’ve noticed as a Bronco Sport owner:
- The interior door panels aren’t fitted well.
- Hood glare can be distracting in direct sunlight.
- Paint chips easily, especially on the hood.
- Infotainment system occasionally has connection issues.
- Rattling noises from various places inside the car.
- Trunk space could be bigger.
- Blind spot warning doesn’t have an audible alert, just a visual one.
- Seats aren’t the most comfortable for long drives.
- Engine reliability varies; the 2.0L is better than the 1.5L, which has had more recalls.
- Rear differential seems to be a common issue.
- Brakes squeak loudly in reverse, which can get annoying.
- Price is a bit higher than competitors.
- Quality of interior materials is inconsistent.
- Backseat legroom isn’t great, and fitting a rear-facing car seat can be a challenge.
- Tall stock crossbars hurt gas mileage and can feel cumbersome.
- The boxy design leads to wind noise and makes the windshield more prone to cracks.
@Drew
I agree with most of this list, except the car seat thing. We’ve had no issues fitting even large car seats, and tall folks seem fine in the back of ours.
Gentry said:
@Drew
I agree with most of this list, except the car seat thing. We’ve had no issues fitting even large car seats, and tall folks seem fine in the back of ours.
That’s good to hear. Maybe it depends on the trim or seat type. I’ve got another little one on the way, so it’s helpful to know car seats fit well.
@Drew
Congrats on the upcoming addition! Also, I’ve noticed fewer issues with the heritage models, which might be worth checking out.
@Drew
The blind spot system not having a sound drives me crazy. It’s such a small thing, but I miss it from my last car.
Harper said:
@Drew
The blind spot system not having a sound drives me crazy. It’s such a small thing, but I miss it from my last car.
Same here. It’s not a huge deal, but you get used to having the sound, and it feels like something’s missing.
@Drew
All this for a car in the $30–40k range?
Fair point, but every car in this price range has its share of issues. I’ve had fun with the off-road features, which helps justify the price for me.
The biggest con for me has been the squeaky brakes when reversing. Super annoying but not a dealbreaker.
Kaius said:
The biggest con for me has been the squeaky brakes when reversing. Super annoying but not a dealbreaker.
I got the recall done for it, but it barely helped. The squeak is still there.
@Blaise
Yeah, they quoted me $300 for a fix. I’m just living with it for now.
My 2021 Big Bend has been decent overall, but I’ve had a persistent issue with the rear door ajar warning. It’s been in the shop multiple times, and they’ve replaced several parts, but the issue keeps coming back. It’s frustrating because the alarm goes off randomly, and it’s distracting while driving.
@Shan
That sounds so annoying. Have you looked into lemon laws if it’s been in the shop that often?