Is the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport a bad year?
163 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Bronco Sport years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport are in line with other Bronco Sport years. Fuel system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2023 Bronco Sport owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 36,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 61 (37%) | 20k–50k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 39 (24%) | 12k–59k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 38 (23%) | 14k–41k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 21 (13%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 11 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 36,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 163 complaints: 9 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 7 report an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
69 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport: 14
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. A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
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. A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge. An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 12-volt battery may experience degradation and suddenly fail. Battery failure can result in a loss of electrical accessories, including the hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge. An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The tires may have been manufactured incorrectly, which may result in a loss of vehicle handling and control. A loss of vehicle handling and control increases the risk of a crash.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Valves inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module may have been damaged during manufacturing, causing an internal ABS module leak. A leak inside the ABS module can cause an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel or unexpected movement during an Auto Hold event, increasing the risk of a crash.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The parking lights may flicker when the headlights are activated. Flickering parking lights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 113
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some 2023-2024 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an "Engine Coolant Over-Temperature" message and an illuminated MIL…
Some vehicles may exhibit a shudder condition, most noticeable at speeds below 60 mph (100 km/h)…
2021-2024 Bronco Sport built on or before 15-Dec-2024<br /> * 2022-2024 Mustang Mach-E<br /> * 2022-2025 Escape built on or before 22-May-2025<br /> * 2024…
Certain 2023-2025 Model Year Escape and Corsair, 2024-2025 Nautilus, 2025 Bronco Sport and Maverick Vehicles Originally Equipped with an Engine Block Heater…
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Loss of Motive Power
Underhood fires caused by fuel leak
Loss of Motive Power
Neighbouring years
2022 Bronco Sport: 369 complaints, keep it · 2024 Bronco Sport: 116 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Bronco Sport year
2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Bronco Sport years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport a bad year?
163 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Bronco Sport years. At 36,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (61), engine (39), electrical system (38), transmission and drivetrain (21), visibility and wipers (11).
How many recalls does the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport have?
14 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 26V-340), Equipment (NHTSA 25V-685), Fuel system (NHTSA 25V-467), Backup camera (NHTSA 25V-442) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.