2023 Ford Bronco

Photo: SsmIntrigue / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

2023 Ford Bronco: common problems and reliability

· 6th generation

An average Bronco year.

229 owner complaints, most about visibility/wiper. 18 recalls.

Should I buy a 2023 Bronco?

The 2023 Ford Bronco has 229 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 18 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are visibility/wiper and electrical system. Owners most often flag transmission problems including harsh cold-start shifts: rpm fluctuation, and shuddering after torque converter replacement.

Safety record for the 2023 model year

229
Owner complaints
18
Recalls
6
Crash reports
3
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2023 Ford Bronco vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other Bronco years only. How we score it

Is 2023 a good year for the Bronco?

Across the 7 Bronco model years we track, complaint volume runs from 108 (1996) to 379 (2022). With 229 complaints, the 2023 Bronco sits above the model's median of 108.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

visibility/wiper
90
electrical system
23
power train
22
engine
19
structure
16

Recalls affecting the 2023 Bronco

power train:automatic transmission

Campaign 23V070000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."

steering

Campaign 23V155000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Bronco Wildtrak and 2022 Bronco Raptor vehicles. Internal damage to the steering gear may require increased steering effort or cause the steering wheel to lock-up.

wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Campaign 23V283000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. The lug nuts on the driver's side wheels may have been improperly tightened.

seat belts:critical fasteners

Campaign 23V358000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles built with the 5-Door body style. The first-row seat belt latch plates may be difficult to access from their stowed position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Show 14 more recalls

equipment:other:labels

Campaign 23V379000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco, 2023 Super Duty F-250, and 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles. The Tire and Loading Information (TREAD) label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

power train:automatic transmission:internal:park pawl

Campaign 23V546000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Bronco vehicles. The transmission park system may have been damaged during assembly, which can prevent the parking pawl from fully engaging and result in a vehicle rollaway.

visibility:glass, side/rear

Campaign 24V142000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Bronco and Bronco Heritage vehicles. The rear quarter glass panels may have been improperly installed to the vehicle hard top, which can allow them to detach.

latches/locks/linkages:doors:lock

Campaign 24V189000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Bronco 4-door vehicles. The left-side rear door may be opened from the inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position.

suspension:rear:shock absorber

Campaign 25V025000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir.

back over prevention: sensing system: camera

Campaign 25V273000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco vehicles. The 360-degree view camera may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.

back over prevention:software

Campaign 25V315000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Campaign 25V455000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.

equipment:electrical:engine block heater

Campaign 25V685000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

seats:critical fasteners

Campaign 25V721000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles. The front seats may have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.

back over prevention:software

Campaign 26V124000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and 2021-2024 Ford Edge vehicles. The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.

power train:automatic transmission

Campaign 26V236000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Bronco vehicles. The transmission to transfer case joint may be misaligned due to an incorrectly performed previous repair, which could lead to wear of the transmission output shaft splines and transfer case input splines.

structure:body

Campaign 26V403000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Bronco vehicles. The fender flares may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.

engine

Campaign 26V468000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor vehicles. The engine compartment wiring harness may become damaged and short circuit.

What owners report on the 6th generation Bronco

Owner sentiment for the 2020-2026 Bronco is mixed and heavily split by model year and by which vehicle is actually being discussed.

  • Very frequentGeneral build-quality and reliability inconsistency, especially on 2021-2022 models
  • RecurrentTransmission problems including harsh cold-start shifts

    RPM fluctuation, and shuddering after torque converter replacement.

  • RecurrentRecalls, most notably for fuel injector issues
  • IsolatedEngine failures requiring replacement under warranty
  • IsolatedDead battery caused by low voltage and systems staying on longer than expected

Owner insights for the 6th generation Bronco. Read the full 6th generation owner report.

Typical used price

Used Bronco listings typically run $33,900–$45,124.

Other Bronco model years

Compare every Bronco year side by side to see how 2023 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Bronco against its rivals

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