What is the oldest Ford Bronco sport?
The oldest Ford Bronco Sport is the 2021 model year. Ford introduced the Bronco Sport as part of its revived Bronco family, with production beginning in 2020 and the first models hitting showrooms for the 2021 model year.
What is the Ford Bronco Sport?
The Bronco Sport is Ford’s compact, unibody crossover that sits below the full-size Bronco in the lineup. It was developed to offer a more city-friendly, yet capable, variant of the Bronco family, sharing some design cues and off-road aptitude with its bigger sibling while riding on the platform used by the Ford Escape.
Key distinctions and timing
Understanding the timing helps answer which year is the oldest for the Bronco Sport. The model was unveiled as part of Ford’s Bronco revival in 2020, and customers could buy the 2021 model year beginning in late 2020. That makes 2021 the first and thus oldest model year for the Bronco Sport.
Timeline highlights the major milestones in the Bronco Sport’s early years.
- June 2020: Ford officially unveils the Bronco lineup, including the Bronco Sport, as part of its return of the Bronco family.
- Fall 2020: The 2021 Bronco Sport goes on sale in North America with its initial trim lineup (at launch commonly cited as Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, and Badlands).
- Late 2020: Production begins and early 2021 model year vehicles begin arriving at dealers.
These milestones demonstrate that the Bronco Sport’s inaugural model year was 2021, making it the oldest version of the Bronco Sport family currently recognized in consumer markets.
How the Bronco Sport fits into Ford’s lineup
While the full-size Ford Bronco evokes rugged, classic SUV styling, the Bronco Sport targets customers seeking off-road capability in a smaller, more efficient package. It emphasizes versatility, ground clearance, and available off-road features — such as terrain management and GOAT (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) modes — packaged within a compact SUV footprint.
Why model year matters
In automotive terms, the model year indicates when a vehicle design was introduced to the public and typically when it began production for sale. For the Bronco Sport, the 2021 model year marks the first year produced and sold, establishing it as the oldest Bronco Sport in Ford’s current lineup.
Summary
In summary, the oldest Ford Bronco Sport is the 2021 model year. Ford introduced the Bronco Sport during 2020 as part of its Bronco revival, with production starting in 2020 and first deliveries occurring for the 2021 model year. Since then, the model has evolved with new trims and features, but 2021 remains the earliest year of Ford’s Bronco Sport lineup.
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.
What is the best year for Ford Bronco Sport?
Which Ford Bronco years are the best? The modern Ford Bronco has been subject to a lot of recalls. However, assuming they've been fixed, we'd say 2023 is the best model year of the bunch, because it has zero investigations and fewer complaints than the previous two, so should offer more peace of mind.
What year did the Bronco Sport come out?
The Ford Bronco Sport was first released in 2021, with its debut announced on July 13, 2020, and production starting in October 2020. It was introduced alongside the all-new Bronco as part of the 2021 Bronco family.
- The 2021 model year marked the debut of the Bronco Sport.
- It was produced in October 2020 and then released to the public for the 2021 model year.
- The Bronco Sport was revealed on July 13, 2020, the same day as the 2-door and 4-door Bronco models.
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.
