The Lemon Index
202220241st generation
Too new: partial score · still collecting complaintsThe 2023 Ford Bronco Sport hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2023 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.
Too new: partial score · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
159 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
What breaks most on the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport
- Engine stalling9 complaintsmostly at 34,000–37,000 miles (55,000–59,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 163 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,000 and 37,000 miles (13,000–59,000 km) (the middle half of the 45 complaints, of all 159 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V340000 (suspension), 25V685000 (equipment) and 25V467000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 14 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Ford sent dealers 115 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2022-2023 F-150/Bronco/Expedition/Navigator/Escape/Corsair/Bronco Sport/Edge/Mustang…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 159 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 36K miles (13K to 59K km) on the car (45 of all 159 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Vehicle had turbo,All wheel drive module and transmission all go out at once at 106,000 miles. Vehicle was well maintained and taken care of.
2023 Ford Bronco Sport owner · NHTSA complaint 11767286
More owner reports
As soon vehicle is turned off a message is displayed System off to save battery And I will not be able to use any of the telematics, specifically if I try to start the vehicle from the app
NHTSA complaint 11640797
Nothing has happened but remedy has not been available for awhile on cracked injector issue
NHTSA complaint 11733311
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 115 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2022-2023 F-150/Bronco/Expedition/Navigator/Escape/Corsair/Bronco Sport/Edge/Mustang…
- Some 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L engine may exhibit: insufficient…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 14
- Suspension · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2025
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2025 1.5L engines only
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Show all 14 recalls
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2025
The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2025
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
- Electrical · recall issued 2025
The 12-volt battery may experience degradation and suddenly fail.
- Visibility · recall issued 2024
The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
- Electrical · recall issued 2024
The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.
- Tires · recall issued 2024
The tires may have been manufactured incorrectly, which may result in a loss of vehicle handling and control.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2024 1.5L engines only
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
- Brakes · recall issued 2023
Valves inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module may have been damaged during manufacturing, causing an internal ABS module leak.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2022 1.5L engines only
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
- Lights · recall issued 2022
The parking lights may flicker when the headlights are activated.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Ford Bronco Sport recall, all years · All Ford recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2024
- ClosedUnderhood fires caused by fuel leak2024–2025
- ClosedLoss of motive power2024–2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Bronco 2DR 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Bronco 4DR SUV 4WD | not rated | ★★★★☆ | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Bronco Sport SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,300–$2,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.5L 3-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Ford Bronco Sport year. 2023 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2023 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-bronco-sport/?y=2023" title="Ford Bronco Sport reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-bronco-sport/2023/">Lemon Index</a> (2023 Ford Bronco Sport reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn about average per car sold, against other 2023 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 105; 100 is average). 2023 is one of the better years of a model that draws 2.9× the average car's complaints. The Ford Bronco Sport year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2022.
What are the most common 2023 Ford Bronco Sport problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (24%), engine (23%) and fuel system, gasoline (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport have?
14 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport get?
23 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2023 Ford Bronco Sport problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,000 and 37,000 miles (13,000–59,000 km) (the middle half of the 45 complaints, of all 159 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2023 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport cost in fuel a year?
About $2,300 to $2,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport have?
1.5L 3-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works