David Long of The Car Wizard YouTube channel – and owner of Omega Auto Clinic in Kansas – has documented all sorts of issues with some of his customers’ Blue Oval models over the years, a list that includes a 110k-mile 2010 Lincoln MKT that became a total loss when the turbos died, as well as a 2005 Ford Five Hundred with a failed CVT gearbox, rendering it essentially totaled as well. Now, the latest problematic machine has arrived in Long’s garage – a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport that’s experiencing major issues, too.
This 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is an Outer Banks trimmed crossover with the turbocharged 1.5L I-3 EcoBoost engine, which was recently purchased from a dealer with 90k miles on the clock. Problem is, it wasn’t long before the new owner noticed an intense burning coolant smell coming from their crossover, and it’s leaking that same fluid. The dealer only told the customer that the water pump and radiator needed to be replaced before they could even continue to diagnose the root cause of the problem, which would cost them a cool $3,800.
As Long discovers, that work is completely unnecessary, because neither of those parts are the culprit when it comes to the coolant leak – rather, it stems from the turbo, oddly enough. The center of the cartridge is cracked and literally spraying coolant everywhere, meaning that the turbo needs to be replaced – which is going to cost around $4,000 with labor included. Trouble is, when Long contacted the dealer to inquire about purchasing a new turbo, they told him that this is happening a high rate, meaning that the part is currently difficult to obtain – in fact, it’s on back order at the moment.
Long was able to secure a new turbo for the Ford Bronco Sport from another source, but when he was in the process of replacing it, he found even more problems – a cracked head, which is what took out the turbo, and that also ended up ruining the catalytic converter. That’s going to triple the price of repair, essentially taking it up to around half of what the vehicle costs, which is rather shocking – and a warning sign for anyone considering purchasing a Ford Bronco Sport with the problematic I-3.
Comments
Guess it’s time to avoid the 1.5L I-3. Yet another Ford engine disaster.
That’s why a pre purchase inspection is needed on new to you cars . so new head , turbo might as well do the timing chain water pump tune up , belts and hoses and any other parts that are hard to get to. That are removed so don’t have to come in agin
Wow…I have yet to have any issues with the I-3 in my ’23 Escape. Granted, it has 42K miles, but has been reliable thus far.
Yeah, this video is simply creating drama where there is none. 4yr old vehicle with almost 90,000 miles on it has a problem. Turns into a rant about “never ever buy a Bronco Sport!” Should have been a mechanic simply reminding people to get prepurchase inspections done whenever possible.
AND, The dealer wanted to charge for a rad and water-pump that
WERE NOT NEEDED!!!!!!
This is why I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD WITH AN ECO-CRAP MOTOR!!!
Unfortunately it’s a common problem with the 1.5 engine. Time will tell if the new 2025 MDC version is better or not. Too bad you have to spend over $40k to get the 2.0 in the Bronco Sport. Then you might as well buy the full size Bronco.
New MDC version ? A new engine ? Need some help on understanding your post. Fully understand that the 1.5 engine is one to avoid at all costs =.
Yes new 1.5 and 2.0 in Bronco Sport and just 2.0 in Maverick in 2025. For some reason Fords been quiet about the updated engines.
These small displacement turbo engines are severly overstressed. The mechanics I’ve talked to tell me anything over 100K miles would be pretty miraculous.
Naturally aspirated Ford V6, engine 3.0L, 3.3L, 3.5L, 3.7L Non Eco-Boost engines that last for ever. With the external water pump.
When I gave away my 1986 Ford Taurus 3.0L V6, it had 430,000 miles
{it went through a lot of water pumps, every 60,000ish miles} but that’s Fords planed obsoletes, other then that still ran GREAT for her for a few years and she put another 35,000ish miles on it until it caught fire on route 80 in NJ. The only other issue was the paint was peeling because that was the first year and they tried no primer before painting.
My 1992 Ford Taurus LX had 250,000ish miles, also {it went through a lot of water pumps, every 60,000ish miles} when I traded it in the trans started slipping.
Proves that a Naturally aspirated Ford V6 engine will last for ever if you maintain it properly.
I don’t think anyone can say that about ANY Ford Eco-Crap engine.
I wanted an upgrade so I bought an 1996 Lincoln Mark III LSC 32V 5.0L V8. Such a GREAT car!
Driving now a 2008 Ford Taurus FWD Limited Naturally aspirated 3.5L V6 with an internal water pump {I don’t like that, because it costs thousands to change compared to the $500.00ish the external cost}.
It has about 130,000ish miles on it and the frame rusted out and broke.
Also the trans is starting to acted up. I am hoping it lasts until the auto market resets.
NOT BUYING A NEW FORD!!
It will be a used Ford with a Naturally Aspirated V6, engine with an external water pump. Most likely not a Taurus unless I find a gem.
You sure that Lincoln was a 5.0?
GM, Honda and others have all had issues with small-displacement turbos and mileage isn’t such an improvement. That being said, I’ve run into several other Fusion owners with the 1.5L 4cylinder with over 200K miles on them. Mine is nowhere near that but still I have to carry around a jug of coolant everywhere I go.
Cracked head, then the turbo. Sounds to me that whoever owned this Bronco before overheated it that caused all these issues.
I would say that ran it low on coolant at some point or towed something to heavy.
Would be interesting to know where the vehicle was purchased from.
At 90K, this was an auction purchase by who knows, then flipped, I would say.
Granted, the Ford dealer that did the initial diagnosis was wrong, no doubt there.
But I do not think that Omega guy here can state that “Do not buy any Bronco Sports ” is correct either!
He said earlier in the video that he could source the turbo and parts from a supplier other the n Ford, then later said that all the parts had to come from Ford because no other supplier could supply the parts. So, which is true?
I am sure there is a back story to the issues found wrong here, more than just blaming Ford for a bad engine design.
Why did he not bother to run a CARFAX to see some history, and show that in his video?
This would at least show some maintenance history, or lack of, which to me is possibly what causes a lot of these failures, especially on a vehicle with 90K on the clock, no matter what make or model.
Always need the whole story before making bold statements, which was not done here!
I think you are correct on the overheating at some point in this vehicles life. I think it comes from the same mentality as the person with a flat tire that drives to the next exit, home, tire shop, etc. instead of pulling over asap and dealing with the situation. More and more the driving public are becoming phone people, not car people. Probably the second biggest investment they will make in their lives and most are clueless! “But I’ve got a good signal! ” No you don’t.
This so called technician MADE 3 WRONG diagnosis before he made a decision on what might be wrong with it . sounds like he is flipping coins .
How on earth can you say “it’s a Bronco Sport issue” when Ford uses this motor in several models?! It’s a motor problem! Should you not buy ANY Ford vehicle using the 1.5L I3 turbo motor? That encompasses a huge percentage of Ford sales. Am I wrong?
Honda is under investigation for possible engine failures involving 1.4M vehicles. NHTSA has reports from 414 customers. This shop owner has a sample of 3 from Ford plus an unknown number over the years. He is a master of exaggeration and is always looking for more clicks.
I’ll take “Nothing Surprises Me About Ford” for $2000, Alex.
Sounds like an abused vehicle, a useless dealership mechanic, a guy that loves to hang it on Fords and an owner who didn’t do their due diligence. Don’t get involved in the internet hype garbage.