Ford · Known Issues
2023 Ford Bronco Problems: 15 Known Issues
2023 model year · 2,292+ 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 · 2,292+ 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 2,292+ owner reports, the 2023 Ford Bronco has 15 documented known issues, with 7 rated critical. The most serious are 2.3L EcoBoost Oil Galley Plug Defect ($0-$0 repair), Front Seat Belt Pretensioner Non-Deployment Recall Issue ($0-$1,200 repair), 2.3L EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion and Misfire from Cracked Cylinder Head/Head Gasket Area ($1,800-$8,000 repair), Rear Differential Locking/Grinding and Complete Differential Failure ($1,500-$4,500 repair), Sasquatch/HOSS Front CV Axle Clicking, Vibration, and Boot Failure ($600-$1,800 repair), Cam Phaser Rattle and Timing Chain Noise on 2.7L/3.0L EcoBoost ($1,800-$4,500 repair) and Electric Power Steering Assist Loss and Steering Rack Failure ($1,800-$3,500 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Hardtop Water Leaks with 567 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $8,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
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
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
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."
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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."
+ 32 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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According to Au7o's analysis of 2,292+ owner reports, the 2023 Ford Bronco has 15 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 2.3L EcoBoost Oil Galley Plug Defect, Front Seat Belt Pretensioner Non-Deployment Recall Issue, 2.3L EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion and Misfire from Cracked Cylinder Head/Head Gasket Area. Of these, 7 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2023 Ford Bronco has 15 known issues documented across 2,292+ owner reports. 7 issues are rated critical: 2.3L EcoBoost Oil Galley Plug Defect and Front Seat Belt Pretensioner Non-Deployment Recall Issue and 2.3L EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion and Misfire from Cracked Cylinder Head/Head Gasket Area and Rear Differential Locking/Grinding and Complete Differential Failure and Sasquatch/HOSS Front CV Axle Clicking, Vibration, and Boot Failure and Cam Phaser Rattle and Timing Chain Noise on 2.7L/3.0L EcoBoost and Electric Power Steering Assist Loss and Steering Rack Failure. 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 issues range from $0 to $8,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 2.3L EcoBoost Oil Galley Plug Defect, typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Certain 2023 Broncos with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine have an improperly sealed main oil galley plug due to a machining tool error during manufacturing. This defect can cause oil leaks leading to oil starvation, engine failure, and potential fire risk. Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
A documented Bronco safety issue involved front seat belt pretensioners that may not deploy properly in a crash. This defect increases injury risk because the restraint system may not tighten the belt as intended during impact. The issue is recall-documented and has been discusse… Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: high.
A subset of 2.3L Bronco owners report unexplained coolant loss, startup misfires, white exhaust smoke, and rough running traced to coolant entering one or more cylinders. Similar to other Ford 2.3L applications, the root cause is often linked to cylinder head casting issues or se… Repairs typically run $1,800-$8,000. Severity: high.
Some Bronco owners have documented rear differential failures marked by whining, grinding, binding in turns, or sudden loss of propulsion. Reports include failures of the locking differential assembly and internal gear damage, sometimes at relatively low mileage and occasionally… Repairs typically run $1,500-$4,500. Severity: high.
Owners of lifted or Sasquatch-equipped Broncos have reported front CV axle clicking, grease sling from torn boots, and vibration under load, especially after off-road articulation or suspension modifications. Even on stock vehicles, the steep operating angles on some setups appea… Repairs typically run $600-$1,800. Severity: high.
Multiple Bronco owners report a brief but pronounced rattling or knocking noise on cold start caused by worn or defective cam phasers, often accompanied by timing chain slack. Ford issued service guidance for EcoBoost engines using updated phaser parts. While some vehicles only e… Repairs typically run $1,800-$4,500. Severity: high.
Multiple Bronco owners reported sudden loss of power steering assist, often accompanied by warning messages and very heavy manual steering effort at low speeds. The issue has been tied to failures in the electric power steering system and steering gear/rack assembly, and Ford iss… Repairs typically run $1,800-$3,500. Severity: high.
The Getrag MT88 7-speed manual transmission exhibits rotational scraping or grinding noises, particularly in cold temperatures below 50°F. The noise occurs in neutral, 1st, and 2nd gears with clutch engaged and may diminish as transmission warms up. Issue traced to 5th and 6th ge… Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: medium.
The 10R60 automatic transmission may exhibit harsh or delayed engagement when shifting, particularly from park to reverse when cold. Some vehicles skip gears during deceleration around 28 mph causing lurching. Repairs typically run $0-$300. Severity: medium.
The soft top experiences adhesive failure causing interior panels to sag, separate from the frame, and delaminate. Heat exposure accelerates adhesive melting, particularly at front corners. Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: medium.
The smart windshield wiper motor, which senses blade load on the glass, malfunctions during rain causing wipers to slow down, operate intermittently, or stop entirely. Built-in protection features may incorrectly trigger, reducing wiper speed even when conditions require full ope… Repairs typically run $50-$400. Severity: medium.
A recurring owner complaint on newer Broncos is unexpected battery discharge after sitting, sometimes leading to a no-start condition, multiple warning messages, or modules behaving erratically. Reports often mention the vehicle being parked for only a few days before the battery… Repairs typically run $200-$900. Severity: medium.
Bronco frameless doors rely on a programmed window drop when opening and closing. Owners have reported doors bouncing back, failing to latch, or glass contacting weatherstrips because the window does not index correctly or the latch module loses calibration. Ford issued service i… Repairs typically run $150-$1,200. Severity: medium.
Bronco owners have widely reported SYNC 4 system instability including frozen screens, random reboots, black displays, loss of audio, and backup camera image failures. Ford has issued software-related service communications for infotainment and camera concerns, and owner forums c… Repairs typically run $0-$1,400. Severity: medium.
Hardtop equipped Broncos experience water intrusion during rain or car washes. Common leak points include the seal along the back of T-tops, door seals, A-pillar areas, and where removable midsection connects to the rear portion. Repairs typically run $0-$300. Severity: low.
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.