Lemon Law Analysis

2023 Ford Bronco Sport

NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data

✓ Reviewed by Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. · Updated June 2026
112
NHTSA Complaints
13
Active Recalls
2-4
Avg. Repair Attempts

The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.

As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 112 complaints against the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2023 Ford Bronco Sport complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.

The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport has generated 112 NHTSA complaints and has 13 active recalls. If your 2023 Ford Bronco Sport has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Ford pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.

Fuel System

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Very Strong

Fuel and propulsion system defects can cause stalling, fuel leaks, or power loss — all substantial impairments of use and safety. The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport has generated 17 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.” (NHTSA Complaint #11722929)

Electrical System

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Strong

Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 8 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “I went to start my 2023 Ford Bronco badlands edition. Upon ignition a loud bang comes from the speakers. It sounded like a gun went off inside the vehicle. My ears were ringing. Then a loud crackling sound could be heard continuously without going away. I tried to shut off the volume, but the knob didn’t work. I shut down the vehicle and the sound of the crackling still persisted.” (NHTSA Complaint #11705101)

Engine

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 7 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “I have put 3 water pumps in my 2023 ford bronco big bend since buying the bronco brand new put the first one in September 2024 second one in May of 2025 and know February of 2026. Also put two vacuums pumps in 2026 in the same week” (NHTSA Complaint #11718411)

Electrical System,Unknown Or Other

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 5 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “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 extremely loud decibel. This vehicle has the B&O sound system. I tried a number of things but only after letting the car completely shut down for a few minutes did it eventually stop (There seems to be no volume control when this happens). Thankfully this happened during start up or shut down and not while I was driving, but I’m a little worried about that happening now since I don’t know what caused it to happen.” (NHTSA Complaint #11718510)

Powertrain

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 5 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “Transmission jerking or not shifting into gear and intermittent park in reverse shifting inoperable. Also, my car has been in the shop.Under warranty repair for most of the last four months. , we are still required to make payments on a vehicle.And cannot even transfer insurance from that vehicle to another temporarily.Because of the sales contract. The service manager recently told me that our eight speed ecoboost transmission is a one of thousands of transmissions that were assembled without vital parts. And that ford has no workaround or plan in place to correct The problem” (NHTSA Complaint #11708005)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2023 Ford Bronco Sport

The following 13 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport by the NHTSA or Ford. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

Recall 22V686000

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

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.

Recall 22V859000

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

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.

Recall 23V021000

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

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.

Recall 24V223000

Component: TIRES

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

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.

Recall 24V187000

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

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 rec

Recall 24V267000

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

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.

Recall 24V594000

Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

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.

Recall 25V019000

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

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-2

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2023 Ford Bronco Sport:

  • 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
  • 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
  • 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Ford to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Ford must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2023 Ford Bronco Sport qualifies as a lemon under California law, Ford may be legally required to:

  • Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
  • Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
  • Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Ford pays all legal fees if you prevail
  • Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Ford willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Ford a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Ford dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Ford pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Ford a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2023 Ford Bronco Sport Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2023 Ford Bronco Sport as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Ford pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Ford is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2023 Ford Bronco Sport?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.

Think Your 2023 Bronco Sport Qualifies?

Get a free case evaluation. Ford pays our fees if you win — you pay nothing upfront.

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