Ford · Known Issues
2023 Ford Bronco Sport Problems: 14 Known Issues
2023 model year · 458,080+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2023 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2023 model year · 458,080+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2023 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 458,080+ owner reports, the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport has 14 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are Loss of Drive Power Due to 12V Battery Detection Failure (Recall 24S24 / NHTSA 24V267) ($0-$0 repair), 1.5L EcoBoost 3-Cylinder Coolant Loss and Engine Failure ($0-$7,500 repair), Belt-Driven Water Pump Seal Failure Soaking and Shredding the Serpentine Belt (1.5L EcoBoost) ($800-$1,700 repair), ABS Module Internal Leak Causing Increased Brake Pedal Travel (Recall 23S01 / NHTSA 23V021), Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Separation - Do Not Drive Recall and 1.5L EcoBoost Turbocharger Wastegate Actuator Seizure Causing P0299 and Limp Mode ($2,200-$4,500 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Loss of Drive Power Due to 12V Battery Detection Failure (Recall 24S24 / NHTSA 24V267) with 456,000 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $7,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles. The Occupant Classification Sensor (OCS) unit may fail to correctly detect the presence of an adult or child in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Maverick and 2026 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L MPC engine and an engine block heater. The engine block heater may overheat when the vehicle is parked with the block heater plugged in.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 458,080+ owner reports, the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport has 14 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Loss of Drive Power Due to 12V Battery Detection Failure (Recall 24S24 / NHTSA 24V267), 1.5L EcoBoost 3-Cylinder Coolant Loss and Engine Failure, Belt-Driven Water Pump Seal Failure Soaking and Shredding the Serpentine Belt (1.5L EcoBoost). Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport has 14 known issues documented across 458,080+ owner reports. 6 issues are rated critical: Loss of Drive Power Due to 12V Battery Detection Failure (Recall 24S24 / NHTSA 24V267) and 1.5L EcoBoost 3-Cylinder Coolant Loss and Engine Failure and Belt-Driven Water Pump Seal Failure Soaking and Shredding the Serpentine Belt (1.5L EcoBoost) and ABS Module Internal Leak Causing Increased Brake Pedal Travel (Recall 23S01 / NHTSA 23V021) and Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Separation - Do Not Drive Recall and 1.5L EcoBoost Turbocharger Wastegate Actuator Seizure Causing P0299 and Limp Mode. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Ford Bronco Sport issues range from $0 to $7,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Loss of Drive Power Due to 12V Battery Detection Failure (Recall 24S24 / NHTSA 24V267), typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
NHTSA recall 24V267000 (Ford reference 24S24) covers 456,565 model year 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The Body Control Module and Powertrain Control Module fail to detect 12V battery degradation, resulting in loss of motive power whenever an Auto Stop/St… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles. The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuckle.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
+ 23 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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The 1.5L EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine in 2021-2024 Ford Bronco Sport is the latest variant of Ford's troubled EcoBoost coolant intrusion problem. The open-deck block design allows coolant to leak internally into the cylinders, causing misfires, white exhaust smoke, and complete eng… Repairs typically run $0-$7,500. Severity: high.
Distinct from internal coolant intrusion, the 1.5L Dragon's water pump is driven by the accessory belt and its shaft seal leaks externally. Forum members report the pump weeping coolant onto the serpentine belt, which then swells, glazes, and eventually shreds - leaving the car w… Repairs typically run $800-$1,700. Severity: high.
Certain 2023 Bronco Sport vehicles (about 801, built 12/8/22-12/16/22) have an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module whose internal valves may have been damaged during manufacturing, causing an internal ABS module leak. The leak can produce an unexpected increase in brake pedal tra… Severity: high.
Ford issued a 'Do Not Drive' safety recall for about 4,653 vehicles (roughly 2,296 of them 2021-2026 Bronco Sports) because the front lower control arm ball stud may not have been fully inserted into the front wheel knuckle (pinch bolt secured before full engagement) at the Hermo… Severity: high.
Owners of 1.5L three-cylinder Bronco Sports report turbocharger failures that begin with a seized or binding wastegate actuator rod (in some cases a missing actuator e-clip). Because the actuator can no longer regulate boost, the vehicle throws P0299 (underboost) and drops into l… Repairs typically run $2,200-$4,500. Severity: high.
2021-2025 Ford Bronco Sport with the 1.5L EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine has three overlapping documented issues: (1) Oil separator housing cracking — NHTSA recall 22S21 covers 345,451 vehicles (2020-2022 Escape + 2021-2022 Bronco Sport) for cracked oil separator housings causing oil… Repairs typically run $50-$300. Severity: medium.
AWD-equipped 2021-2024 Ford Bronco Sport models exhibit rear drive unit (RDU) chatter and shudder during low-speed turning maneuvers, particularly when backing up and turning sharply. The issue is caused by fluid contamination in the rear drive unit's limited-slip clutch pack. Fo… Repairs typically run $0-$1,800. Severity: medium.
A defect in the SYNC 3 infotainment software (APIM module) on 2021-2024 Bronco Sport vehicles causes system instability. Symptoms include the display intermittently going black, failure to retain settings across ignition cycles (reverted language, erased radio presets), and inabi… Severity: medium.
The Bronco Sport Badlands and other AWD models with the twin-clutch rear drive unit can overheat during sustained off-road use, towing, or spirited driving. When the rear differential fluid overheats, the system disengages the rear axle to protect the clutch pack, leaving the veh… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: medium.
Bronco Sports with the panoramic sunroof experience water leaks into the cabin due to clogged drain tubes. Leaves, pollen, and debris collect in the sunroof tray and block the four drain tubes that run through the pillars to exit points near the wheel wells. When blocked, water o… Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: medium.
The 8-speed automatic transmission in the Bronco Sport exhibits a noticeable delay when pulling away from a stop, particularly when the vehicle has been idling for a few seconds. The driver presses the accelerator and the engine revs but the vehicle does not move for 1-2 seconds… Repairs typically run $0-$2,000. Severity: medium.
A recurring and very specific electrical fault: the exterior liftgate release button stops responding to the key fob's proximity, so the gate will not open by hand even though the fob is in the owner's pocket - while the separate flip-up rear glass release keeps working normally. Repairs typically run $0-$600. Severity: low.
Bronco Sport windshields develop stress cracks without any apparent rock chip or impact. Cracks typically start from the edges or corners of the windshield and propagate across. The issue is attributed to body flex in the unibody structure, windshield mounting stress, and the ste… Repairs typically run $300-$900. Severity: low.