The Lemon Index
202220246th generation
Too new: partial score · still collecting complaintsThe 2023 Ford Bronco 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: wipers & visibility
Better years to buy
230 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2023 Ford Bronco
- Backup camera11 complaints
- Coolant leak / overheating10 complaints
- Engine stalling9 complaints
Specific parts named in the 236 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Ford Bronco (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 1,100 and 23,000 miles (1,800–37,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 230 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 26V468000 (engine), 26V403000 (body structure) and 26V236000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? It has 18 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Ford sent dealers 212 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp”?
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 230 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 1K to 22K miles (2K to 37K km) on the car (23 of all 230 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
Windshield wiper speeds are extremely slow. and at times quit working.
2023 Ford Bronco owner · NHTSA complaint 11564993
More owner reports
Wipers automatically dramatically slow down when placed in the high setting during heavy rains causing unsafe driving conditions
NHTSA complaint 11510168
Been having problems with ford pass took vehicle to dealer a week ago and they say that has to do something with the computer of the car so that's mean is something serious computer control every single sensor engin3 etc..
NHTSA complaint 11617779
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 212 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp
- Inoperative FordPass application
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 18
- Engine · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The engine compartment wiring harness may become damaged and short circuit.
- Body structure · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The fender flares may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
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.
Show all 18 recalls
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.
- Seats · recall issued 2025
The front seats may have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.
- 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
The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The 360-degree view camera may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Suspension · recall issued 2025
The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2024
The left-side rear door may be opened from the inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position.
- Visibility · recall issued 2024
The rear quarter glass panels may have been improperly installed to the vehicle hard top, which can allow them to detach.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2023
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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2023
The Tire and Loading Information (TREAD) label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2023
The first-row seat belt latch plates may be difficult to access from their stowed position.
- Wheels · recall issued 2023
The lug nuts on the driver's side wheels may have been improperly tightened.
- Steering · recall issued 2023
Internal damage to the steering gear may require increased steering effort or cause the steering wheel to lock-up.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2023
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.".
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
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 $3,000–$4,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Ford Bronco 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.
Embed this chart
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/?y=2023" title="Ford Bronco 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/2023/">Lemon Index</a> (2023 Ford Bronco reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2023 Ford Bronco reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn about twice the average car's complaints per car sold, against other 2023 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 183; 100 is average). The Ford Bronco year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2022.
What are the most common 2023 Ford Bronco problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are wipers & visibility (39%), electrical (10%) and transmission & drivetrain (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2023 Ford Bronco have?
18 safety recalls (latest: engine). 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 get?
15 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2023 Ford Bronco 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 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,100 and 23,000 miles (1,800–37,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 230 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 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2023 Ford Bronco cost in fuel a year?
About $3,000 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2023 Ford Bronco have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-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