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 upon reversing into the garage, he placed the gear shifter into park(P) and shut off the engine. Upon exiting the vehicle and approaching the home, the contact heard a loud crash and saw that the vehicle had rolled backed into the garage door. The contact initially thought the vehicle was not shifted into park(P); however, upon entering the vehicle, the contact saw that the vehicle was in park(P). The contact stated that two panels on the garage door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 22,700.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission made grinding sounds when shifted into neutral(N), 1st, and 2nd gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was operating as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under Technical Service Bulletin: 22-2371 (MT88 Manual Transmission - Rotational Scraping Noise from Transmission When Cold and In Neutral, 1st and/or 2nd Gear with Clutch Applied). The manufacturer advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 60.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving a motorhome at an undisclosed speed and towing the vehicle in tow mode, the transmission blew up. The contact pulled over to retrieve sunglasses from the vehicle and became aware that there was an odor of transmission fluid coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who confirmed there was no warranty coverage for the failure. The dealer stated that the failure was due to operator error. The vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 10,642.
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. …
Within the first 500 miles on my brand new bronco, I noticed a strange burning smell after driving it one day. The next morning when I started it, I heard what I thought was a heat shield rattle, and as I continued to drive my bronco to work throughout the week the noise got worse. Last weekend my wife and I went on a 400 mile trip and the noise was so bad when we returned I scheduled an appointment with the dealership this week. They apparently opened up the transmission today and found metal shavings and a broken case piece so they determined that mine was not eligible to be rebuilt and are ordering a new transmission which will not be available until the end of March or into April. In the meantime the dealership has advised me to continue driving the vehicle as they do not have any rentals available at this time. …
On Sunday [redacted] I experienced a mechanical failure while off road with my Bronco, after getting myself unstuck from a snowbank I had backed into, I heard a clicking coming from my right front wheel, and the clicking continued once I got myself out, I experienced my front wheels lock up twice and a "service 4x4 system" with a wrench, this appeared two different times. This occurred approximately 6.6 to 7 miles up a trail and 9 miles from the nearest town with cell service. (Trail up near Coplay lake, WA.) This "trail" was simply a snowy forest service road and something most vehicles could easily make. Ultimately, it was determined by the dealership that at approximately 12,300 miles my M190 open differential had completely failed and dealership is refusing to warranty the differential. Parts that failed? M190 4.27 front differential. Warning lamps and symptoms ? …
When the vehicle downshifts in the lower gears, specifically 3rd to 2nd, and 2nd to 1st, the vehicle will often dangerously accelerate, sometimes doubling the speed for a few seconds. This happens fairly consistently when using the lower gearing offroad mode but I've had it happen in normal modes too. There is a TSB that may deal with the issue (TSB 23-2352), but Ford service has not been cooperative with addressing it because they claim to not be able to reproduce the issue despite my having video evidence. I can provide videos if you'd like. I posted about this issue on a Facebook group and apparently it is widespread. The contact took the vehicle to another dealer who was able to reproduce the issue. The dealer stated that it's not a problem because the new Bronco behaves the same manner.
Within about three hours of buying the vehicle, while driving the ten speed automatic transmission at normal highway speeds there was a hard popping sound. The vehicle began to vibrate harshly and jerk. Upon continued driving it would stall in intersections in traffic like it was going to stop moving then jerk accelerate and pause again, multiple times. I have owned the vehicle for about 8 days and it has been in the shop for about 7 of those. I was told by the shop that i could continue to drive it or come get it until they are able to further disasemble the transmission, but it doesnt seem safe to drive a vehicle that feels like it is stalling. It was very dangerous when trying to accelerate in traffic and the vibration during normal speeds felt very unsafe.
Front pinion seal leak is detected at where the front drive shaft meets the front differential. Ford attempted to fix it with a pinion seal replacement and the leak is still unresolved, second attempt was done by changing the front differential fluid which also did not resolve the issue. This issue is fairly common amongst bronco owners on forums and will be hard to come to the users' attention unless the user checks under the vehicle so the problem may be more widespread than reported. The undetected loss of front differential fluid may cause overheating of the front differential over time as the fluid levels become low and potentially cause a lockup at high speed when the vehicle is used in 4A AWD mode. The leak can also be a fire hazard.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Bronco vehicles. 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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission to transfer case joint and replace the transmission and transfer case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2026.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Internal › Park pawl
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Bronco vehicles. 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S44.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. 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…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Transmission complaints in other Bronco years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2023 Ford Bronco?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2023 Ford Bronco, 10% of the model year's 230 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2023 Ford Bronco transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 26V-236 (automatic transmission, Apr 14, 2026); NHTSA recall 23V-546 (park pawl, Aug 3, 2023); NHTSA recall 23V-070 (automatic transmission, Feb 10, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2023 Ford Bronco transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 23,000 miles, and 75% before 25,000 miles.
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.