Problems · NHTSA complaints

2023 Ford Bronco problems

Owners filed 230 complaints about the 2023 Ford Bronco with NHTSA between Dec 2022 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is visibility/wiper (90).

Complaints
230
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Visibility/wiper90
  2. Electrical system23
  3. Power train22
  4. Engine19
  5. Structure16
  6. Service brakes16
  7. Suspension13
  8. Back over prevention10
  9. Steering7
  10. Seat belts7
  11. Visibility5
  12. Fuel/propulsion system3
  13. Forward collision avoidance3
  14. Exterior lighting3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20221
2023112
202436
202536
202645

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Visibility/wiper

90 reports
“Rear defroster connector becomes detached from the defroster grid rendering it inoperable. Ford has acknowledged it is a common issue due to poor design. My local dealership repaired the broken tab and it once again broke off within a week or two. When I returned to the dealership, they refused to cover it under the vehicles original owner warranty or their labor warranty for working on it previously. After some back and forth with management and Ford Customer Care, they told me they have changed the design of the entire rear glass and the only way to fix it would be to pay $1600~ to have it replaced with the updated design. Upon researching the issue online, it is clear that the rear defroster has an astonishingly high failure rate, and Ford should be pushed to offer a better solution than to charge owners to fix something that was sold to them defective. To learn more about this issue, simply search “Bronco Rear Defroster” and you will see the amount of owners complaining”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2026Visibility/wiperODI 11765386

Electrical system

23 reports2 crashes
“After rainfall, my 2023 Ford Bronco would not start. The dealership (Stivers Ford Lincoln, Waukee, IA) diagnosed water intrusion behind the dashboard that corroded the body connector electrical harness and Body Control Module (BCM). A warranty claim (#109441186) was submitted to Ford and denied on the basis that the affected component was not listed under a current Special Service Message or Technical Service Bulletin. The vehicle was subsequently taken to a second Ford dealership (Dewey Ford) for a second opinion. That dealership identified the root cause as an inadequate factory seal between the dashboard and the wiring harness, allowing water to repeatedly enter the electrical system — consistent with Ford's own Special Service Message 53814 and Technical Service Bulletin 21-2403/22-2074, which document water intrusion at the A-pillar/windshield header area on 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles. This is also consistent with NHTSA Recall 25V546/Ford 25C43, in which Ford recalled 2024-2025 Mustang vehicles for water intrusion into the Body Control Module caused by improperly sealed body seams. Repair costs for this failure were quoted at approximately $8,400. Ford…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2026Electrical systemODI 11769501

Power train

22 reports3 related recalls
“Transmission failed while towing in Neutral Flat Tow mode and destroyed the entire transmission resulting in a $7,600 repair bill. Ford will not warranty this as they claim is was might fault. Not true, I had flat towed the vehicle for months without an issue and its their electronic system that failed and destroyed my transmission.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2026Power trainODI 11768601

Engine

19 reports1 fire1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11735666

Structure

16 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco equipped with an aftermarket Bestop Skyrider retractable rooftop, Part Number: 5246217. The contact stated that while driving, the mounting bolts on the roof loosened up. The contact was concerned that the rooftop might detach and fly off while driving at highway speeds. The contact stated that water was entering the vehicle from the rooftop. The contact was concerned that water leaking into the vehicle could cause damages to the air bag system. The manufacturer and service center were notified of the failure. The aftermarket top was replaced, and the factory roof was reinstalled.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026StructureODI 11769370

Service brakes

16 reports
“TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE IN 2023 BRONCO. What happened is exactly what is described for current recall of the electronic brake booster for 2025 broncos. Mine is a 2023.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2026Service brakesODI 11747200
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.