2021 Bronco Sport USB-C Port Failing – Dealer Can’t Fix (Even Under Warranty)

[jkernitzki]

I may end up contacting Ford directly because I’m getting the same vibe about the dealership just dragging their feet on it.

Also, honestly hoping Ford sees this—I’ve noticed on other threads they’ll occasionally reach out when people call out quality control or poor customer service on here.

Do the first thing. There’s always escalation options.

Ford no longer monitors or participates in this forum, so don’t count on the second.

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[sajohnson]

I do have an extended warranty, but they keep trying to tell me it’s “my phone,” which is wild considering I literally have to wedge the cable just to get power. Also not trying to pay another $250 diagnostic fee when I’m basically handing them the problem on a silver platter.

Shoutout to Phil Long Ford in Denver … certified stealership energy.

A $250 "diagnostic fee"?!

This is a perfect example of a dealership coming up with what are clearly bs excuses to avoid warranty work.

Every time this is discussed, someone will claim that dealers love warranty work. I'm sure there are a few exceptions, but experiences like yours are sadly extremely common.

The USB port(s) may be difficult to replace, but that's not your concern. It's between Ford and their authorized dealer. There's no policy that states that if warranty work is a PITA the dealer can refuse to do it!

It takes a special kind of person to jerk you around the way they are.

 

[compass crusher]

A $250 "diagnostic fee"?!

This is a perfect example of a dealership coming up with what are clearly bs excuses to avoid warranty work.

Every time this is discussed, someone will claim that dealers love warranty work. I'm sure there are a few exceptions, but experiences like yours are sadly extremely common.

The USB port(s) may be difficult to replace, but that's not your concern. It's between Ford and their authorized dealer. There's no policy that states that if warranty work is a PITA the dealer can refuse to do it!

It takes a special kind of person to jerk you around the way they are.

Appreciate you saying that — honestly that’s exactly how it feels.

I’m not trying to dodge anything on my end… I’ve brought this in before, explained the issue clearly, and I even have an extended warranty. Being hit with a $250 “diagnostic fee” just to confirm something that’s already obvious is frustrating.

At the end of the day, a USB-C port shouldn’t fail like this in the first place — and definitely shouldn’t require duct tape just to function. That’s not normal wear and tear.

I’m totally fine with them doing their process, but it shouldn’t feel like they’re creating barriers to avoid covering a legit issue.

At this point I’m just looking for them to stand behind the product and fix it the right way.

 

[sajohnson]

Appreciate you saying that — honestly that’s exactly how it feels.

I’m not trying to dodge anything on my end… I’ve brought this in before, explained the issue clearly, and I even have an extended warranty. Being hit with a $250 “diagnostic fee” just to confirm something that’s already obvious is frustrating.

At the end of the day, a USB-C port shouldn’t fail like this in the first place — and definitely shouldn’t require duct tape just to function. That’s not normal wear and tear.

I’m totally fine with them doing their process, but it shouldn’t feel like they’re creating barriers to avoid covering a legit issue.

At this point I’m just looking for them to stand behind the product and fix it the right way.

It's outrageous that they charged $250 to diagnose something so easily confirmed. If there is any fee, it should be based on time. In your case, about 0.1 hours -- maybe $15.

So what was the result of their 'professional' diagnosis? Did they confirm the obvious, that the USB port is defective? If so, then it's not clear how they can refuse to replace it.

Many stealerships routinely commit fraud and break other laws, knowing that most people do not have the time or money to take them to court. It is a despicable way to do business.

 

[Dude]

@compass crusher Your original post remains unclear, you stated:

“… My USB-C port is basically failing. I have to physically “jimmy” the cable to get a connection, and right now I’ve got duct tape wedged under it just to keep it working”

However your pic (attached), clearly shows you are plugged into the USB-A port with wedged duct tape below the USB-A cable

The USB-C port is the smaller port immediately above where you show the cable plugged into the USB-A port

Have you tried plugging in your iPhone into the USB-C port?

What iPhone do you have .. iPhone 13 or what?

 

[MoFoCo]

Mine was replaced under warranty, no hassle. I'd look for a different dealer, service departments vary dramatically.

 

[compass crusher]

It's outrageous that they charged $250 to diagnose something so easily confirmed. If there is any fee, it should be based on time. In your case, about 0.1 hours -- maybe $15.

So what was the result of their 'professional' diagnosis? Did they confirm the obvious, that the USB port is defective? If so, then it's not clear how they can refuse to replace it.

Many stealerships routinely commit fraud and break other laws, knowing that most people do not have the time or money to take them to court. It is a despicable way to do business.

They tried to say it was my phone causing the issue, but that doesn’t hold up. I’ve tested the same phone in multiple vehicles — including their loaner cars — and the connection works perfectly every time. The problem only happens in my vehicle.

They wouldn’t really hear me out and just kept pushing that narrative instead of addressing the actual issue. At this point, it feels like they’re avoiding responsibility.

I’m seriously considering filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau just to get some real attention on this.

 

[compass crusher]

@compass crusher Your original post remains unclear, you stated:

“… My USB-C port is basically failing. I have to physically “jimmy” the cable to get a connection, and right now I’ve got duct tape wedged under it just to keep it working”

However your pic (attached), clearly shows you are plugged into the USB-A port with wedged duct tape below the USB-A cable

The USB-C port is the smaller port immediately above where you show the cable plugged into the USB-A port

Have you tried plugging in your iPhone into the USB-C port?

What iPhone do you have .. iPhone 13 or what?

Yeah I already addressed that with another member earlier — I’m aware of the port differences.

I’m on Android, not iPhone. I’ve tested my phone in multiple other vehicles (including their loaners) and it works perfectly fine, so it’s not a phone issue.

Another person suggested just running a USB-C to USB-C cable since it seems like the USB-A side is the one glitching out more. That’s the route I’m taking for now while I keep pushing for an actual fix.

 

[Dude]

Yeah I already addressed that with another member earlier — I’m aware of the port differences.

I’m on Android, not iPhone. I’ve tested my phone in multiple other vehicles (including their loaners) and it works perfectly fine, so it’s not a phone issue.

Another person suggested just running a USB-C to USB-C cable since it seems like the USB-A side is the one glitching out more. That’s the route I’m taking for now while I keep pushing for an actual fix.

Now I see .. you posted these:

“dual USB-C adapter” (I didn’t know what you meant by that)

“I just meant a USB-C splitter that gives two USB-C outputs from one port” (I didn’t know why you need to use a splitter?)

“Main thing for me though is I want a solid CarPlay connection—I use the map a lot...”

CarPlay is typically only iPhone so that’s why I mentioned iPhone

Anyway a high quality USB-C to USB-C cable for your Android phone is always the best at least until better technology comes along in the future

Good luck with whatever solution you end up with!

And for only $7.58 with another 10% off you can get 2 cables - both are 6.6’ long cables

 

[sajohnson]

They tried to say it was my phone causing the issue, but that doesn’t hold up. I’ve tested the same phone in multiple vehicles — including their loaner cars — and the connection works perfectly every time. The problem only happens in my vehicle.

They wouldn’t really hear me out and just kept pushing that narrative instead of addressing the actual issue. At this point, it feels like they’re avoiding responsibility.

I’m seriously considering filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau just to get some real attention on this.

From what you've posted, it's safe to say the dealer is definitely trying to avoid replacing the USB port.

You should absolutely write them up on the BBB website; Dealer Rater; Google reviews; Yelp and anyplace else you can think of.

Also, assuming it is a Ford extended warranty, if you haven't done so already, you should contact Ford.

Another option -- which of course is what the dealer wants -- is to ask another dealer if they are willing to do the repair.

One last thought -- the dealer is not claiming the USB port is not covered by the warranty, correct?

 

[compass crusher]

Now I see .. you posted these:

“dual USB-C adapter” (I didn’t know what you meant by that)

“I just meant a USB-C splitter that gives two USB-C outputs from one port” (I didn’t know why you need to use a splitter?)

“Main thing for me though is I want a solid CarPlay connection—I use the map a lot...”

CarPlay is typically only iPhone so that’s why I mentioned iPhone

Anyway a high quality USB-C to USB-C cable for your Android phone is always the best at least until better technology comes along in the future

Good luck with whatever solution you end up with!

And for only $7.58 with another 10% off you can get 2 cables - both are 6.6’ long cables

Haha I get where you’re coming from but I’ve actually tested this pretty thoroughly already.

Same phone works perfectly in multiple other vehicles (even a loaner), so I’ve ruled that part out. What’s interesting is the issue changes depending on whether I use USB-A vs USB-C, which makes me think it’s something on the vehicle side rather than just cable quality.

I do appreciate the suggestions though—just trying to get to the actual root cause instead of going in circles

 

[compass crusher]

From what you've posted, it's safe to say the dealer is definitely trying to avoid replacing the USB port.

You should absolutely write them up on the BBB website; Dealer Rater; Google reviews; Yelp and anyplace else you can think of.

Also, assuming it is a Ford extended warranty, if you haven't done so already, you should contact Ford.

Another option -- which of course is what the dealer wants -- is to ask another dealer if they are willing to do the repair.

One last thought -- the dealer is not claiming the USB port is not covered by the warranty, correct?

Exactly—that’s been my experience too.

Same phone, no issues in other vehicles, but in mine it’s inconsistent. That’s why it’s frustrating when it keeps getting chalked up to cables or phones when there’s clearly something else going on.

Appreciate you confirming it’s not just me dealing with this

 

[sajohnson]

Exactly—that’s been my experience too.

Same phone, no issues in other vehicles, but in mine it’s inconsistent. That’s why it’s frustrating when it keeps getting chalked up to cables or phones when there’s clearly something else going on.

Appreciate you confirming it’s not just me dealing with this

No problem. It's definitely not just you! Many dealerships are notorious for refusing to perform warranty work. Or, as in your case, making up some bs reason why they can't or won't.

Not all dealers are like that, but it is very common. I've experienced it many times in almost 50 years of owning vehicles. What I've read in automotive publications, and heard from service advisors posting on forums, is that the reasons many/most dealers do their best to avoid warranty work are:

* The mfr pays a reduced labor rate
* The parts mark-up is less
* There are often hoops to jump through -- additional paperwork, dealer must return old parts to mfr, etc.

Is the extended warranty from Ford?

Is the USB port definitely covered by the warranty?

 

[tommy]

Exact same thing happened to me on my 2021 Outer Banks, the dealer charged me $100.00 to fix it and I have an extended warranty.

 

[Nick72]

Exact same thing happened to me on my 2021 Outer Banks, the dealer charged me $100.00 to fix it and I have an extended warranty.

To clarify, was the $100 the deductible?

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