The Ford Bronco Sport is a relatively new entry to the compact SUV market, and with a starting price under $28,000, it’s an attractive option for many buyers. With well-tested engines and few known problems, a Bronco Sport should last 200,000 miles with proper maintenance.
Key Points
- The Bronco Sport outranks several of its competitors with a high-reliability rating from J.D. Power, at 82/100.
- Both engine options are largely problem-free except for an exhaust manifold issue on the inline-four.
- The newly designed transmission is known to have a few issues, but those problems aren’t common.
- To ensure longevity, Bronco Sports with the inline-four should have the injection system cleaned periodically.
- While there are no solid figures on how long the Bronco Sport will last, estimates show it should easily last between 150,000 to 200,000 miles.
The Ford Bronco Sport should Last Drivers Nearly 15 Years
The Ford Bronco Sport hasn’t been on the market long, but several indicators show that the “Baby Bronco” will last many years on the road.
Using prediction data, Consumer Reports says they expect the Bronco Sport to be much more reliable than the average new car.
Further, J.D. Power gave the Bronco Sport a great reliability rating of 82 out of a possible 100, which outranks the reliability ratings of its competitors, including the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Kia Seltos, and the Subaru Crosstrek.
For comparison, the Subaru Crosstrek is expected to last past 200,000 miles, and with the Bronco Sport being rated more reliable, it’s a good sign that the Bronco will last just as long, if not longer.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, the average person drives around 14,200 miles per year. This would put the Bronco Sport at a 14-year lifespan at 200,000 miles.
Both Engine Options Found in the Bronco Sport are Known to be Reliable, with Few Known Problems
Due to how new the Bronco Sport is, there is little information on how long either engine will last. Fortunately, both engines are found in other vehicles where we can gauge their longevity.
The Bronco Sport comes equipped with either a 1.5L three-cylinder or a 2.0L four-cylinder, and both are found on several other Ford models. According to Motor Reviewer, the 1.5L EcoBoost is a reliable engine with no reported mechanical issues being reported by owners, and with a lifespan of over 150,000 miles. The 2.0L GTDI, while also reliable, is known to have a few problems; primarily, consumers have reported issues with the exhaust manifold.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a cheap fix, as the manifold and turbocharger are one unit. While there is no price estimate for the Bronco Sport yet, Repair Pal shows an average replacement cost between $839 and $912 for the similar Ford Escape.
Apart from the exhaust manifold problem, there are not many other reported issues. However, Motor Reviewer notes that it’s a good idea to perform periodic cleaning of the Bronco’s injection system to prevent carbon buildup. Doing so will keep power output high and fuel consumption low.
All Bronco Sports are equipped with the eight-speed automatic transmission, which according to Advanced Transmission Center, is known to have an occasional problem, as the transmission is a new design.
Fortunately, it looks like the large majority of Bronco Sport owners won’t encounter any issues, and should they have any problems, the current issues are covered under warranty.
Proper Service and Frequent Inspection will Help Ensure the Bronco Sport Makes it Past 200,000 Miles
Though not as capable as the larger Broncos, as a four-wheel-drive vehicle, it’s safe to say that the Bronco Sport will be driven on some trying surfaces. Harsh surfaces and environments will call for more frequent maintenance, but doing so will ensure that the SUV stays on the road longer.
Conditions such as salt-treated roads will cause deterioration and rust on almost any vehicle, so the Bronco Sport should regularly be inspected for corrosion and rust to ensure their longevity.
Drivers may want to also consider undercoating in areas where the car will be frequently exposed to road salt.
In dry climates, the Bronco should have plastic and rubber components inspected just as frequently, as the additional stress from the environment will cause them to deteriorate quickly.
The Bronco Sport is New, but Indications Show it should Last 200,000 Miles or More when Carefully Maintained
The Bronco Sport hasn’t been on the market for long, so it’s hard to tell exactly how many miles they can rack up before problems become severe. However, we know much about the components found in the Bronco Sport and how they have fared in other vehicles.
Both engine options are known to be problem-free, and with both J.D. Power and Consumer Reports giving the Bronco Sport high marks, it should be a highly reliable vehicle for many years to come.
It’s safe to say that the Bronco Sport will easily make it to 150,000 miles and will likely make it to 200,000 when properly maintained.
Photos: Ford
