Motor Almanac

Ford / Bronco Sport / 2023

2023 Ford Bronco Sport

Family: Bronco Sport · filed with NHTSA as BRONCO SPORT

Summary

  • In its first three years the 2023 Bronco Sport drew 102 complaints — 0.6× the median of its generation (2021–2026). It is among the least-complained-about years of this generation.
  • These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
  • Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Fuel & Propulsion, holds 39% of the 158 that name a component.
  • 14 recalls filed for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.
  • 3 federal defect investigations cover this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints
163
Recalls
14
Investigations
3
NCAP overall
5 of 5 stars
Combined MPG
23–26
Annual fuel cost
$2,400–$2,700
Median mileage at complaint
25,000 mi (n = 45)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths
9 / 6 / 9 / 0

What owners report

Fuel & Propulsion

61 complaints · 39% of complaints that name a component · median 35,000 mi (n = 19)

Owner report The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for…
Owner report The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dea…

Engine

39 complaints · 25% of complaints that name a component · median 25,000 mi (n = 4)

Owner report The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power with the check engine warning light illuminated, and the “Service Vehicle Soon” message displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advi…
Owner report My 2023 Ford Bronco Sport is subject to NHTSA Safety Recall 25V467 / Ford Recall 25S76, issued July 16, 2025. Ford states that a fuel injector may crack, resulting in fuel accumulating on top of the engine. Ford further states that liquid fuel or fuel vapor accumulating near hot engine or exhaust components may ignite …

Electrical System

38 complaints · 24% of complaints that name a component · median 25,000 mi (n = 12)

Owner report The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. While the contact’s girlfriend was driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled. During the failure, the exterior lighting became inoperable, and several messages were displayed, including the message "No Key Detected". After exiting the vehicle, t…
Owner report There have been multiple occasions where I have started or shut down my 2023 Bronco Heritage Sport Limited and (for no reason I can explain) the speakers started making this extremely loud digital feedback noise, sometimes including the subwoofer. It's hard to stay in the car for too long with this noise going on at an…

3% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (2021–2026)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 164.

Model yearAll complaintsFirst three yearsNote
2021711228
2022370164
2023163102fewest complaints
2024115115not compared
20254040not compared
202688not compared

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

26V340000 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Filed 2026-05-27 · 4,653 vehicles Do not drive

Defect: 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.

Risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and repair the front lower control arm ball joints as necessary, free of charge.Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S36. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 29, 2026.

25V685000 · EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

Filed 2025-10-10 · 59,006 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

25V467000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Filed 2025-07-11 · 694,271 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software. In addition, dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel rail assembly and fuel injectors, free of charge. As an interim repair, dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 29, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S76. This recall expands and replaces previous recall numbers 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165 will need to have the new final remedy performed once it is available.

25V442000 · BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Filed 2025-06-27 · 200,237 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. 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.

Risk: 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. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

25V158000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM

Filed 2025-03-14 · 48,041 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-267. The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.

Risk: 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.

Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S26.

25V165000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Filed 2025-03-14 · 33,576 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 22V-859 or 24V-187. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S21.

25V019000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Filed 2025-01-17 · 272,817 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The 12-volt battery may experience degradation and suddenly fail.

Risk: 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.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the 12-volt battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S02. Vehicles in this recall were previously repaired under 24V-267 and will need to have the new remedy completed.

24V594000 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

Filed 2024-08-09 · 86,852 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Maverick, Ford Bronco Sport, and Mustang Mach-E vehicles. The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.

Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield wiper motor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 6, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S51.

24V267000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Filed 2024-04-12 · 456,565 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.

Risk: 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.

Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 4, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S24.

24V223000 · TIRES

Filed 2024-03-22 · 115 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Maverick and Bronco Sport vehicles. The tires may have been manufactured incorrectly, which may result in a loss of vehicle handling and control.

Risk: A loss of vehicle handling and control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the tires, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S20.

24V187000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Filed 2024-03-08 · 42,652 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 24, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S16. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-859.

23V021000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Filed 2023-01-23 · 801 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Bronco Sport vehicles. Valves inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module may have been damaged during manufacturing, causing an internal ABS module leak.

Risk: 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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS Module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S01.

22V859000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Filed 2022-11-18 · 521,746 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed January 9, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 1st Quarter of 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S73. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 22V-191. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-191 will need to have the new remedy performed.

22V686000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE

Filed 2022-09-14 · 86,050 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022 F-150 vehicles. The parking lights may flicker when the headlights are activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Flickering parking lights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the LED Driver module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C22.

Federal investigations

ActionComponentOpenedClosedRecall
RQ24014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY2024-11-152025-10-1025V019
RQ24008FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS2024-04-112025-10-3025V467
PE24002ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY2024-01-312024-08-1924V267

RQ24014: Loss of Motive Power

RQ24008: Underhood fires caused by fuel leak

PE24002: Loss of Motive Power

Engines and fuel economy

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyCombinedFuel cost / yr
Bronco Sport 4WD1.5L 3cylAutomatic 8-spdAll-Wheel Drive252826$2400
Bronco Sport 4WD2.0L 4cylAutomatic (S8)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive212623$2700

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

VariantOverallFrontalSideRollover
2023 Ford Bronco Sport SUV 4WD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Service bulletins

Ford issued 115 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about unknown or other.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

DateComponentSummary
2026-10-27ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSome 2023-2024 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an "Engine Coolant Over-Temperature" message and an illuminated MIL with DTCs P1285 and/or P1299 stored in the PCM during hard acceleration or under high …
2026-10-06POWER TRAINFor 20222026 vehicles equipped with a 8F35 transmission, a revision to the Road Testing Vehicle procedure has been made in the WSM, Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing. This updated procedure improves the diagnosis of customer reported …
2026-09-22STRUCTURE:BODYThis article supersedes TSB 25-2466 to add Bronco Sport, Escape, Maverick and Corsair, as well as removing Expedition and Navigator. One time use parts for Corsair and Bronco Sport were also added to the parts list. Some of the vehicles lis…
2026-09-14UNKNOWN OR OTHERThis article supersedes 26-2058 Reason for update: update the TSB title and TSB issue to include new DTCs Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following conditions: * Intermittent or permanent no r…
2026-09-04ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSome 2021-2024 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L may exhibit a lack of air conditioning (A/C) cooling while at a stop and idling in ambient temperatures of 100°F (38°C) or higher. In addition, there are no diagnostic trouble codes …
2026-08-22UNKNOWN OR OTHERFor Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover J-clips, lower-level service parts are now available. Use service part W709919-S901 if the J-clip is completely detached from the …
2026-08-14UNKNOWN OR OTHERSome 2023-2024 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L may exhibit a lack of air conditioning (A/C) cooling while at a stop and idling in ambient temperatures of 100°F (38°C) or higher. In addition, there are no diagnostic trouble codes …
2026-07-15POWER TRAINThis bulletin supersedes 26-2194. Reason for update: update the Parts list to correct a part description " Loctite 638", update the claim quantity for the drain/fill plug, update the claim quantity of the wheel hub bolts (Corsair) and limit…
2026-07-09UNKNOWN OR OTHERNEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and Aviator Vehicles Powertrain Control Module Software Update
2026-06-16POWER TRAINSome 2020-2026 Corsair/Escape, 2021-2026 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles equipped with an 8F35 transmission may exhibit a shudder condition, most noticeable at speeds below 60 mph (100 km/h), with no relevant diagnostic troubl…

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Bronco Sport, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Ford Bronco Sport model page.

Sources

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.