Is your defective Ford Bronco actually a LEMON?

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9.1

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,897 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2023 Ford Bronco drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2023 Ford Bronco Owner Comments

problem #12

Jun 022024

Bronco 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Edwards, CO, USA

problem #11

Mar 172024

Bronco

  • miles
On Sunday [XXX] 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 " Service 4x4 lamp and front wheels completely locking up. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Rainier, WA, USA

problem #10

Mar 042024

Bronco

  • 22,700 miles
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.

- Frankfort, KY, USA

problem #9

Jan 052023

Bronco

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2023 Ford bronco that has the 2.3 L engine and seven speed manual transmission. It was originally purchased in January 2023. I live in Colorado so it is cold and on cold mornings, since I have received delivery of the vehicle, It has made and continues to make a grinding, scraping sound when the vehicle is in neutral, or the transmission is not engaged. The grinding, scraping sound will occur when driving in first, second, and third gear. If the weather is warm, as over last summer, it does not make the grinding, scraping sound. It has been consistently documented amongst other owners of this particular vehicle, the new sixth generation Ford bronco full-size vehicle with the 2.3 L engine and seven speed manual transmission, that these transmissions make this grinding, scraping sound. I have had it investigated by my local Ford dealership on two separate occasions, and although the tech on site at the dealership states that he can hear the grinding sound and agrees that it is an abnormal sound for a vehicle transmission to make, the Ford motor company has refused to do any type of repair or modification, or replacement of the transmission in my particular vehicle to correct the problem. However, when discussing this problem with other Ford bronco owners, Ford motor company-??s response has been very irregular, one friend, in particular, has had his transmission replaced. I am very concerned that as transmissions tend to suffer with wear and tear, that should this transmission fail early due to the grinding, scraping sound, ford motor company will not replace it under warranty, stating that it was my fault or expected wear and tear, that the transmission failed early, when, in reality, it is just as likely that the early failure would be due to this abnormal, grinding, scraping sound.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #8

Feb 162024

Bronco

  • miles
A grinding/rattling sound is coming from the manual transmission while in 1st & 2nd gear. This is a known issue with Ford, complete with its own TSB 23-2019. I took the car to my local Ford dealer, described the issue, and referenced the TSB. I was told later that the tech could not duplicate the issue. I then offered to drive and have the tech ride with me. We both agreed that it was an odd noise. The next day, I was told they didn't know what the issue was, and as far as they were concerned, the transmission was supposed to sound like that. They have otherwise blown me off and won't help.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #7

Dec 092023

Bronco

  • miles
Rotational scraping noise from manual transmission, especially when cold and neutral (1st and 2nd gear). Ford Dealer at Autonation Ford Union City, Georgia stated that they would need to replace the 5th and 6th synchronizer rings to resolve this issue. Bought certified used from Capitol Ford in Charlotte, NC with 8213 miles, hear noises but it was soft, but the more I drove the louder it got. Now Bronco has 9064 miles. No accidents, no off-roading, and this seems like a safety issue from the manufacturer because the shifting is difficult.

- Peachtree City , GA, USA

problem #6

May 012023

Bronco

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. It gives you an error of "Cranking Time Exceeded" So where ever you are "Stuck on the highway in traffic, off the road on in your driveway, you will not be able to attempt to restart your motor if you exceed this time limit. This is a very dangerous issue and I feel many people could lose their life if they are in an situation where they can not attempt to start their motor and try to move to a safer location if the engin can be restarted.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #5

Mar 162023

Bronco

  • miles
I started to notice a scraping/grinding noise that is coming from the transmission. It can be heard when I do a cold start and leave in in neutral. If I push the clutch in it goes away. Also, I noticed it a bit louder when I am in low gears such as 1-3, even while fully warmed up.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #4

Mar 082023

Bronco

  • miles
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.

- Wise, VA, USA

problem #3

Feb 022023

Bronco

  • 60 miles
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.

- Greenville, VA, USA

problem #2

Jan 232023

Bronco

  • miles
The driveshaft and front axles are completely covered in pitted rust when delivered. Long-term strength and safety of vehicle drive train at risk.

- Halifax, MA, USA

problem #1

Feb 052023

Bronco

  • miles
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. I am a certified Automotive technician 15 plus years by trade for a different manufacturer, and I do not feel comfortable driving the vehicle with the transmission sounding the way it does. I plan on following up with the manager tomorrow to find out an alternative

- Meridian, ID, USA

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