Is the Ford Bronco Sport rear wheel drive?
The Ford Bronco Sport is not rear-wheel drive. It ships with front-wheel drive as standard and offers an Intelligent 4WD system as an optional upgrade to all-wheel drive for better traction in adverse conditions and light off-roading. There is no pure rear-wheel-drive configuration in the Bronco Sport lineup.
Drivetrain basics
The Bronco Sport uses a front‑wheel‑drive baseline across all trims. For buyers who need extra grip, Ford offers Intelligent 4WD, a system that can send power to the rear wheels when needed and provides multiple drive modes to adapt to different surfaces. Engine choices and transmissions are designed to balance efficiency and performance, with a 1.5‑liter EcoBoost engine offering a strong efficiency profile and a 2.0‑liter EcoBoost providing higher performance.
Key drivetrain options are outlined below to help you understand how the Bronco Sport moves.
- Standard front-wheel drive (FWD) on all Bronco Sport models.
- Optional Intelligent 4WD (all-wheel drive) with a terrain-management system for improved traction on rain, snow, and light off-road surfaces.
- Engine options: 1.5-liter EcoBoost and 2.0-liter EcoBoost; both paired with automatic transmissions (the exact transmission can vary by engine).
- Go Over Any Terrain (G.O.A.T.) Modes available on AWD-equipped models to tailor throttle, gearing, and traction control to surface conditions.
In practice, this means there is no rear-wheel-drive Bronco Sport. If you expect better traction in slick conditions or light off-roading, the Intelligent 4WD setup is the option to choose, not a rear-drive configuration.
Real-world impact for drivers
In daily driving, FWD helps with efficiency and predictable handling in dry conditions. When weather or terrain gets challenging, selecting Intelligent 4WD with the appropriate mode improves grip by distributing torque to the rear wheels as needed. Off-road enthusiasts will notice the added capability on AWD models, though the Bronco Sport remains a compact crossover rather than a traditional off-road vehicle with a low-range transfer case.
Go Over Any Terrain (G.O.A.T.) modes
G.O.A.T. Modes provide drivers with selectable settings that adjust throttle response, transmission mapping, and stability controls to optimize performance on surfaces such as mud, snow, sand, or rough terrain. These modes are designed to work with the available AWD system to maximize traction without a dedicated low-range gearbox.
For buyers weighing trims, note that all-wheel-drive variants include these modes, while base FWD models do not require them but also lack the extra traction when conditions worsen.
Summary
The Ford Bronco Sport is not rear-wheel drive. It comes standard with front-wheel drive and offers an optional Intelligent 4WD system for all-wheel-drive capability, plus terrain-management modes to help with adverse conditions and light off-roading. When evaluating a Bronco Sport, consider your climate, road conditions, and expected off-road use rather than seeking a traditional RWD setup.
What are the common Bronco Sport problems?
Common Reliability Issues in the Ford Bronco Sport
These problems can affect the overall ownership experience but are typically minor and manageable with proper care. Transmission Issues: Some drivers have reported transmission problems, such as hard shifting or delayed engagement, particularly at low speeds.
Are Bronco sports always in 4WD?
While the full-size Ford Bronco offers a traditional 4WD system, the Ford Bronco Sport comes standard with AWD across all trims.
Is a Bronco Sport front or rear wheel drive?
all-wheel-drive
| Ford Bronco Sport | |
|---|---|
| Class | Compact crossover SUV |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | Front-engine, all-wheel-drive |
| Platform | Ford C2 |
What is the lawsuit against the Ford Bronco Sport?
Ford is facing several lawsuits related to its Bronco Sport vehicles, including a class-action lawsuit over a faulty 12-volt battery recall that allegedly did not fix the problem, and another lawsuit investigation related to a fuel injector defect that poses a fire risk. The 12-volt battery recall affected about 273,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick models, while the fuel injector issue affects certain Bronco Sport and Escape models with 1.5-liter engines.
12-volt battery class-action lawsuit
- What it's about: A class-action lawsuit alleges that Ford's fix for the 12-volt battery recall is insufficient and that the batteries continue to fail.
- Vehicle models: 2021–2023 Bronco Sport and 2022–2023 Maverick models equipped with a specific 12-volt battery.
- Legal claims: The suit claims Ford's recall is inadequate and has led to issues like the vehicle failing to restart or stalling. It also alleges the recall cost owners time and money for repairs and has devalued the vehicles.
- Recall details: Ford recalled certain models over a 12-volt battery defect that could cause a loss of drive power or a failure to restart. The fix involved software updates.
Fuel injector lawsuit investigation
- What it's about: An investigation has been launched into a separate fuel injector defect that could lead to fuel leaks and a risk of engine fires.
- Vehicle models: Certain Bronco Sport and Escape models with 1.5-liter engines.
- Legal claims: The lawsuit is looking into Ford's handling of the defect, which has resulted in multiple recalls. Some vehicles that received previous "fixes" have reportedly still experienced engine fires.
- Recall details: The recall is for a defect where fuel can leak into the engine compartment. Ford's interim fix involves a software update, but a permanent solution is still being developed.
Other legal issues
- Lemon Law: Individuals with persistent issues may be able to pursue a "lemon law" claim, as shown in a case where a Bronco owner received a vehicle buyback for ongoing problems.
- Other recalls: While not directly tied to a lawsuit yet, it's worth noting other safety recalls, such as one for a loose bolt in some 2021-2023 Broncos (SUV, not Sport) that could increase injury risk in an accident, according to Austin American-Statesman.
