- First Name
- Chris
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2024
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- New Brunswick
- Vehicle(s)
- 2021 ford bronco sport
- Thread starter
- #1
Here’s my story and frustration.
I've read multiple threads about issues with the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, and I seem to have gone through all the "fixes" that Ford offers. Here’s my experience:
I first noticed that my heat would stop working when I accelerated at lower speeds and would randomly cut out at higher speeds. I also observed a damp area just in front of the battery below the air filter that was always wet—even during mid-summer with no rain for a week. So, I decided to take it in for service. The leak wasn't severe enough to reach the pavement, but it filled some crevices with fluid. Visit #1 Fix #1: Do Nothing—They couldn’t replicate the issue.
After picking up the Bronco, I decided to test it in the parking lot. They claimed it had just come back from a test drive and that everything seemed normal. When I turned the heat on, it worked—until I accelerated to about 10-15 km/h, at which point it stopped, and cold air blew out. I immediately went back in and reported that the problem wasn’t fixed. I also emphasized my concern about the mysterious wet spot. After a few days, they called me to pick up the Bronco. Visit #2 and #3 Fix #2: Add Dye to the System.
They asked me to drive with the dye in the system and return later so they could check for leaks.
During my next visit to Ford, I reported two issues: 1) low coolant again, and 2) a random dead battery, which had disabled most driving systems (no power steering, no G.O.A.T. mode, no lane-keep assist). I expressed concern that the coolant was likely going somewhere, possibly into the engine, but this concern seemed to fall on deaf ears. They reprogrammed the battery and power steering and checked the coolant. Ford service informed me that they couldn’t find any dye in the system and didn’t know where the coolant was going. I dropped off the Bronco on a Thursday, but there was no update on Friday. Ford was closed on Saturday, and Monday was a holiday, so I didn’t get my vehicle back until Wednesday. Apparently, they had replaced the thermostat. I wasn’t happy about being without a vehicle and having something replaced without addressing my concerns about the wet spot and missing coolant. Visit #4 Fix #3: Replace Thermostat.
For about a month, things seemed fine until I started noticing a burning smell from the car. I checked, and I was out of coolant again. I took it back to Ford (they’re just a few blocks from my house) and dropped it off on a Thursday, asking them to check the engine’s head gasket. This time, I stayed persistent, calling before close on Thursday, and again on Friday morning and afternoon. Late on Friday, a new service guy called me back, explaining that they still didn’t know what was causing the issue. I requested a rental since I was still under warranty and had now been without a car for an extended period. He said it was too late to arrange one and that I’d have to wait until Monday.
On Monday (after five days in the shop), another new service representative contacted me, explaining that he would be taking over my case. He promised to get the vehicle in for assessment the next day and arranged a rental for me right away. This new rep (I think his name was Nick) was fantastic. Unfortunately, the Ford issue was not. They informed me that they would replace the water pump to try to fix the problem and ordered the part, which should have arrived the next day. However, the part didn’t come in for several days. Nick kept me updated throughout the delay, and on Friday, he informed me that the part would be shipped from Detroit, which could take 5-10 business days. Thankfully, I had a rental by this point, but being without my own vehicle was still far from ideal.
The part finally arrived 17 days after the Bronco went into the shop. Nick explained that they were backed up due to techs being sick, so I had to wait another day. Visit #5 Fix #4: Replace Water Pump.
And now, here I am, just five days after the water pump replacement, dealing with a burning smell again (with coolant still in the reservoir, which was surprising). After a 30-minute highway drive, I noticed a little white smoke and sputtering fluid from both exhaust pipes. My main suspicion? A head gasket issue.
Back to Ford tomorrow for Visit #6—hopefully for a proper diagnosis and a real fix. The vehicle is still under warranty.
Also, where is my engine cover?
I've read multiple threads about issues with the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, and I seem to have gone through all the "fixes" that Ford offers. Here’s my experience:
I first noticed that my heat would stop working when I accelerated at lower speeds and would randomly cut out at higher speeds. I also observed a damp area just in front of the battery below the air filter that was always wet—even during mid-summer with no rain for a week. So, I decided to take it in for service. The leak wasn't severe enough to reach the pavement, but it filled some crevices with fluid. Visit #1 Fix #1: Do Nothing—They couldn’t replicate the issue.
After picking up the Bronco, I decided to test it in the parking lot. They claimed it had just come back from a test drive and that everything seemed normal. When I turned the heat on, it worked—until I accelerated to about 10-15 km/h, at which point it stopped, and cold air blew out. I immediately went back in and reported that the problem wasn’t fixed. I also emphasized my concern about the mysterious wet spot. After a few days, they called me to pick up the Bronco. Visit #2 and #3 Fix #2: Add Dye to the System.
They asked me to drive with the dye in the system and return later so they could check for leaks.
During my next visit to Ford, I reported two issues: 1) low coolant again, and 2) a random dead battery, which had disabled most driving systems (no power steering, no G.O.A.T. mode, no lane-keep assist). I expressed concern that the coolant was likely going somewhere, possibly into the engine, but this concern seemed to fall on deaf ears. They reprogrammed the battery and power steering and checked the coolant. Ford service informed me that they couldn’t find any dye in the system and didn’t know where the coolant was going. I dropped off the Bronco on a Thursday, but there was no update on Friday. Ford was closed on Saturday, and Monday was a holiday, so I didn’t get my vehicle back until Wednesday. Apparently, they had replaced the thermostat. I wasn’t happy about being without a vehicle and having something replaced without addressing my concerns about the wet spot and missing coolant. Visit #4 Fix #3: Replace Thermostat.
For about a month, things seemed fine until I started noticing a burning smell from the car. I checked, and I was out of coolant again. I took it back to Ford (they’re just a few blocks from my house) and dropped it off on a Thursday, asking them to check the engine’s head gasket. This time, I stayed persistent, calling before close on Thursday, and again on Friday morning and afternoon. Late on Friday, a new service guy called me back, explaining that they still didn’t know what was causing the issue. I requested a rental since I was still under warranty and had now been without a car for an extended period. He said it was too late to arrange one and that I’d have to wait until Monday.
On Monday (after five days in the shop), another new service representative contacted me, explaining that he would be taking over my case. He promised to get the vehicle in for assessment the next day and arranged a rental for me right away. This new rep (I think his name was Nick) was fantastic. Unfortunately, the Ford issue was not. They informed me that they would replace the water pump to try to fix the problem and ordered the part, which should have arrived the next day. However, the part didn’t come in for several days. Nick kept me updated throughout the delay, and on Friday, he informed me that the part would be shipped from Detroit, which could take 5-10 business days. Thankfully, I had a rental by this point, but being without my own vehicle was still far from ideal.
The part finally arrived 17 days after the Bronco went into the shop. Nick explained that they were backed up due to techs being sick, so I had to wait another day. Visit #5 Fix #4: Replace Water Pump.
And now, here I am, just five days after the water pump replacement, dealing with a burning smell again (with coolant still in the reservoir, which was surprising). After a 30-minute highway drive, I noticed a little white smoke and sputtering fluid from both exhaust pipes. My main suspicion? A head gasket issue.
Back to Ford tomorrow for Visit #6—hopefully for a proper diagnosis and a real fix. The vehicle is still under warranty.
Also, where is my engine cover?
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