Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2023 Ford Bronco owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and flat towing an RV, the Flat-Tow mode inadvertently disengaged and the contact smelled a burning odor permeating the interior of the vehicle with the message "Stop vehicle immediately, excessive temperature detected" displayed. The transmission temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was damage to the transmission and turbocharger due to the Flat-Tow mode not being engaged properly during towing. The contact was informed that the transmission and turbo charger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 22-7086. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced an issue with the rearview camera while in use. The contact received a notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V124000 (Back Over Prevention), and the recall repair was subsequently performed. However, after the recall repair was completed, a new 'overheating' warning appeared on the infotainment system. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, where technicians tested the system and confirmed that during a single operation, the system's temperature spiked from 93 F to 150 F. The contact confirmed that they received an overheating warning on the infotainment system display. The manufacturer has been notified of the failure, but the vehicle has not yet been repaired. The failure mileage was 32,752.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH and attempting to brake, the brake pedal traveled all the way to the floorboard and all the lights had flashed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle the entire dashboard shook uncontrollably. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty cam phaser. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the power train and service engine soon had warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was bad gasoline in the vehicle, and gasoline needed to be drained from the fuel tank. The fuel tank was drained and refilled; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another dealer and diagnosed with a faulty turbocharger. The contact was informed that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,100.
My husband was sitting at a stop light when he noticed what appeared to be steam/smoke coming out from under the hood of the Bronco. Then smoke came into the vehicle through the air vents. When he looked up, flames were coming out from under the hood. He got out and the whole front of the car burst into flames and torched the car.
We have had two major issues with this new Vehicle. It has less 1,872 miles on it and it is only about 2 months old. Within a week of owning it, the stabilizer bar went out and render the vehicle un drive able. We have a second issue that is even larger safety issue. The Vehicle is now dying and leaving you stranded on the side of the road. We have now had this happened to us three times on separate occasions. Once was on a trip back from Oklahoma to Dallas and the highway is under repair/construction and there are miles that there are only two lanes with no shoulder or exit to get off in case of auto problems. We found ourself at night that our Bronco lost total power and would not start back up. The vehicle has some kind of timer that will allow you to attempt to start it so many times in a period and then disable the ability to crank the engine. …
The vehicle experienced recurring electrical system failures beginning in December 2023. The vehicle intermittently would not start and on several occasions lost power unexpectedly. The vehicle was taken multiple times to an authorized Ford dealership for diagnosis while still under the manufacturer warranty. The dealership repeatedly reported that no issue could be identified despite the recurring electrical malfunction. The vehicle battery was replaced more than once within three years, however the underlying electrical issue persisted. In August 2025 the dealership instructed that the vehicle remain at the service center for extended diagnosis. The vehicle remained at the dealership for more than 40 consecutive days before being returned on October 8, 2025. …
My 2023 Bronco with 6k miles died without any warning back in late January 2024. Ford service dept said it was a failed catalytic converter. After it was in the shop for a 1.5 months, waiting on the back ordered part, we picked up our truck around March 10. Fast forward to today, truck has 7k miles. We were southbound on the interstate in bumper to bumper traffic heading to Disney World when the truck's engine died, yet again. Luckily we were not traveling typical interstate speed and we safely maneuvered the vehicle to the side of the road and contacted Ford roadside assistance and a tow truck was quickly dispatched. The truck is currently sitting at a Ford dealership on a Sunday, 485 miles from home and a lot of money tied up in our vacation plans. …
We installed new tires and wheels on our vehicle and it immediately started having engine problems and the check engine light comes on. We took it to the dealer and after several days back and forth Ford told the deal that it's a known problem with the 2.3L version of the Ford Bronco however they had no fix and no timeline to fix the problem. This creates a safety hazard as the engine program can't be updated and could cause damage to the engine and cause it to fail. The dealer then stated that they could not return the vehicle to us with the new tires and wheels we purchased and we had to put our old tires and wheels on. We counted on the old tires for a spare since we already blew one tire out. …
I was driving uphill in a neighborhood going about 15 mph when my Bronco suddenly lost power. I was not able to restart and had to manually restart the truck using the fob to ignition method. It started back up, but a terrible sulfur smell was coming from the vehicle. I brought it into our nearest Ford dealership and they claimed there was nothing they could do because no code was reported from the truck. I continued to drive it for another day and the check engine light came on. My Ford Pass relayed a message claiming that the issue was the catalytic converter. I took it to my Ford dealership who claims this could take months to fix because the parts are on back order. My 2023 Ford Bronco, 2.7 liter V6 had less than 6k miles.
Related recalls
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor vehicles. The engine compartment wiring harness may become damaged and short circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will install sheathing over the wiring, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2026 Bronco Raptor notified owners on 7/31/2026.
Engine complaints in other Bronco years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2023 Ford Bronco?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2023 Ford Bronco, 9% of the model year's 230 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline › turbo/supercharger (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2023 Ford Bronco engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 26V-468 (engine, Jul 20, 2026). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2023 Ford Bronco engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 33,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.