Vehicle recalls– you hear about them every year. Ignoring them could cost you a significant amount of money, as they’re often the result of a safety issue recently discovered in a certain car model or its installed component.
Safety issues that lead to a recall vary, from simple problems, such as a seatbelt that doesn’t properly latch, to more complicated ones, like a malfunctioning driveshaft or an airbag that has the potential to disengage inadvertently.
The Ford Motor Company, more commonly known as Ford, isn’t new to these problems.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in the first half of 2023, Ford topped all auto manufacturers in recall counts, issuing 31 recalls that affected more than 4 million of its vehicles in the market.
As a Ford owner, particularly the Bronco model, you might ask what to do if your newly bought SUV (sports utility vehicle) has been recalled.
This article sheds light on these topics and provides valuable information about potential issues of the coveted off-road vehicle. This write-up also answers frequently asked questions about the ins and outs of a vehicle recall process.
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Are There Any Recalls on the Ford Bronco?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are 14 Ford Bronco recalls as of December 2023.
The reasons for these recalls are the following:
- Camera error
- Transmission park system damage
- Incorrect load carrying capacity indicated on the tire and loading information label
- Seatbelt latch issues
- Lug nut issues
- Steering gear internal damage
- Automatic transmission problems
- Airbag sensor issues
- Windshield mounting issues
- Door issues
- Cruise control radar module misalignment
You can visit the Ford website and use their search engine to see which Ford vehicle currently has a recall. You can search by VIN (vehicle identification number), year, or car model.
You can find the VIN on your vehicle registration document or on the lower left-hand side of your car’s dashboard.
Does the 2023 Bronco Have Engine Problems?
The Ford Bronco is an illustrious and rugged SUV that has left an indelible mark on the automotive landscape. Renowned for its off-road prowess and distinctive design, the Bronco has become a symbol of adventure and capability.
With a history dating back decades, it has evolved to meet the changing demands of thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts.
However, despite its rich history and commendable performance, the Bronco has its fair share of challenges.
Since its launch, the 2023 Ford Bronco SUV has had some reported engine problems, particularly on models with the 2.7L V-6 engine.
The issue stems from the valves that may detach and drop into the cylinder, causing the engine to fail. In some cases, engine replacement can take months to process.
Moreover, some owners claimed that the SUV’s electrical system malfunctioned while on the move, causing the engine to stop working. The common points of concern are the transmission sensor, transmission computer, and solenoid.
Doing the Right Thing. It’s the Only Thing.
Ford Motor Company promises safety, integrity, and coherence with its recall system. Although recent issues with the supply chain make it challenging to get repairs done swiftly, Ford maintains an optimistic approach to its services.
Ford Recalls Two 2023 Broncos Because They Could Roll Away
An error in the transmission system of two 2023 Ford Bronco models led to a recall over a rollaway hazard. A cracked portion in the transmission of Ford’s sought-after SUV could allow debris to block the park gear from engaging properly, leading to a safety recall.
Following a warranty claim by a dealer, Ford Motor Company first became aware of the rollaway risk on June 1, 2023. The specific issue was connected to a 2023 F-150 with a mileage of only 3,600 miles. The owner said their SUV rolled away while in “park” mode.
Upon careful scrutinization, the automaker deemed that a damaged abutment cup was the culprit.
Ford Recalls Broncos as Drivers Could Be “Discouraged” When Trying to Use the Seatbelts: The Details
Ford recalled over 170,000 Bronco SUVs, model years 2021 to 2023. According to the NHTSA, the vehicle’s driver and front passenger seatbelts are difficult to reach while in a retracted position. The recall only involves the five-door variant of the Bronco.
Ford dealerships resolved the issue by putting a sliding clip latch or a barrette clip on the seatbelt to keep the latch portion in its proper position. This fix is of no cost to the owners.
To contact the manufacturer, owners may call Ford at 866-436-7332. The NHTSA number for this campaign is 23V-358. Ford’s reference number for this specific recall is 23C16.
2023 Ford Bronco NHTSA Safety Recall Results
According to NHTSA, six safety recall results for the 2023 Ford Bronco model have been reported as of December 2023. The reasons for these recalls are the following:
- Transmission park system damage
- Incorrect load carrying capacity indicated on the tire and loading information label
- Seatbelt latch issues
- Lug nut issues
- Steering gear internal damage
- Automatic transmission problems
Find Existing Ford Bronco Car Recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers a free search tool that lets you enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) to learn if a specific vehicle model has not yet undergone repairs as part of a safety recall protocol in the last 15 calendar years.
The manufacturers conducting the specific recall provide the recall data through NHTSA’s lookup tool. Note that the VIN search tool does not cover the following:
- Accomplished safety recall information
- International vehicles
- Manufacturer customer service
- Recently announced recalls
- Recalls conducted by small vehicle manufacturers, including specialty applications and some ultra-luxury brands
The succeeding sections discuss the existing Ford Bronco recalls per the federal safety regulator’s website.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera (Recall Date: August 2023)
Ford recalled certain 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator, 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator, 2021 Ford Bronco, and 2022-2023 Ford Transits due to a possible rearview or 360-degree camera issue.
When installed, the camera may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is in a reversed position, affecting the driver’s rear visibility and increasing the likelihood of a crash.
As a remedy, Ford inspected and replaced the rearview camera, updated the software, and repaired the wiring as necessary at no cost to the owners.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Internal: Park Pawl
Ford recalled some 2023 Bronco vehicles due to potential damage to its transmission park system. A malfunctioning transmission park system can prevent the parking pawl from engaging properly, resulting in a rollaway.
Authorized Ford dealers inspected and replaced the transmission for free. Owner notification letters for this recall were dispatched on August 2023.
Equipment: Other: Labels
Some 2023 Super Duty F-250, 2022-2023 Bronco, and 2019-2023 Ranger models were recalled in 2023 due to an issue with their tire labels.
The tire and loading information label showed an incorrect load capacity, which could result in overloading and non-compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, “Tire Selection and Rims.”
As a recourse, Ford mailed a new label to be installed over the existing one, free of charge.
Alternatively, owners may take their car to a Ford dealer to install the new label for free.
Seat Belts: Critical Fasteners
Ford Motor Company recalled certain units of their 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles with the five-door body style. The reason? The driver and front passenger seatbelt latch plates can be challenging to access from their stowed position.
Difficulty accessing the seatbelts may lead to occupants not wearing them, increasing the chances of injury in case of an accident.
As a resolution, Ford dealers added a sliding clip latch stop to the seatbelts for free.
Wheels: Lugs, Nuts, Bolts, or Studs
Ford previously announced a recall for some of their 2023 Ranger and Bronco vehicles due to a lug nuts issue. The driver’s side wheels’ lug nuts may have been loose, resulting in wheel detachment while driving.
Owners of these models are advised not to operate their vehicles until the remedy is applied. Ford dealers inspected and retightened the lug nuts, free of charge, if necessary. Ford’s reference number for this recall is 23S17.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera (Recall Date: March 2023)
Ford issued a safety recall for some 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens that were previously resolved under recall code 22V-825.
The rearview camera image may still be shown on screen after a backing event, thereby affecting the driver’s rear visibility.
Ford dealers updated the SYNC (Ford’s touch-oriented communications and entertainment system) module as a recourse. Owners may also fix their systems via an OTA (over-the-air) update.
If you own one of these recalled vehicles, the reference number for the recall is 23C05.
Steering
In March 2023, Ford sent notification letters regarding a recall for certain 2023 Bronco Wildtraks and 2022 Bronco Raptors due to a possible issue with their steering gears.
Internal damage to the vehicle’s steering gear may require increased steering effort or cause the steering wheel to lock. A locked-up steering wheel can translate to a complete loss of driving control, resulting in a crash.
Owners of these recalled models are advised not to operate their vehicles until the necessary procedures have been completed.
As a remedy, Ford dealers replaced the steering gear for free. If you want to inquire about this recall, the reference number is 23S09.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission
Ford recalls certain 2022-2023 Ford F-150, Explorer, Bronco, Mustang, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles with automatic transmissions.
This recall stems from an issue with the automatic transmission system containing a loose bolt, which could hinder the engagement of the park gear.
The inability to secure the car in the park gear can result in a rollaway, increasing the chances of a crash.
To address this issue, authorized Ford dealers inspected and replaced the faulty transmissions as needed. This service is free of charge.
Air Bags: Sensor: Side Impact
In April 2022, Ford recalled certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles due to a potential issue on the side impact sensors. An improperly installed side impact sensor may cause the airbags to be inadvertently deployed, increasing the risk of injuries in an accident.
As a remedy, Ford dealers inspected the attachments and repaired them if necessary. The reference number for this recall is 22S77.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera (Recall Date: November 2022)
Ford Motor Company recalled 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles with 8-inch screen displays and rearview camera systems. The recall stemmed from an issue with the rearview camera displaying images even after a backing event.
A continually displaying rearview image after the car is shifted out of the reverse gear may distract the driver and obscure their vision, increasing the possibility of a crash.
Authorized Ford dealers updated the SYNC module as a remedy. Owners may also fix their systems via an OTA (over-the-air) update. The reference number for this recall is 22C27.
Visibility: Windshield
In July 2022, Ford sent notification letters regarding the recall of specific 2022 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. This recall is caused by an issue with the windshield, which has the potential to separate from the vehicle during a crash.
As a remedy, Ford dealers removed and reinstalled the windshield at no extra cost to the owners. Ford’s reference number for this recall is 22C12.
Latches, Locks, or Linkages: Doors: Lock
Ford has previously recalled specific 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles with a four-door body type.
The safety recall concerns a potential issue with the passenger-side rear door, which may be opened inside the car when the child safety lock is on.
Ford dealers inspected and repaired the child safety lock and latch as a recourse.
The repairs were performed at no extra cost to the owners. Owner notification letters were dispatched for this safety recall in June 2022. This safety recall can be identified using the reference number 22S44.
Forward Collision-Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
Ford recalled specific 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles because of a misaligned cruise control radar module.
A misaligned radar module may cause difficulty maintaining a safe distance from other cars while adaptive cruise control is activated.
Moreover, the vehicle’s automatic emergency braking system may malfunction during an assist braking event before a collision.
Ford dealers adjusted the cruise control radar module for free to address the issue. Owner notification letters were dispatched for this safety recall in January 2022. For more information, you may reference the number 21S52.
Air Bags: Frontal
In June 2021, Ford sent out owner notification letters recalling specific 2021 Bronco vehicles. The safety recall stemmed from a problem with a prematurely opening air bag vent.
As a remedy, dealers replaced the airbag at no extra cost to the owners. The reference number for this recall is 21C23.
FAQs
1. Where can I find more info regarding the Takata airbag recall?
Ford has a website that addresses questions about Takata airbag inflator recalls. You can also enter your VIN on the website to find out if your specific vehicle has been recalled.
2. Are recall repairs free?
Spare parts and repair services for safety recalls are free through a local Ford dealership.
3. Is my Ford vehicle being recalled?
Ford’s website offers a free Ford recall checker for owners to see if their vehicle requires recall-related services.
4. Am I entitled to a refund for a repair call?
You may be eligible for a refund if you paid to resolve an issue later tied to a safety recall. Talk with your dealer to find out more.
5. Do recalls expire?
Emission, compliance, and safety recalls don’t have an expiry date. However, other customer satisfaction programs have mileage limitations and expiry dates.
6. Do you provide a rental car for recalls?
Ford will do its best to offer a comparable loaner vehicle as necessary. Check with your local dealer for more details and availability status.
7. How will I get recall information and updates?
Ford provides updates through their smart device app (FordPass), physical mail, and email. The Ford website is also continually updated.
8. Where do I get recall repairs done?
You can take your Ford vehicle to your local dealership for repairs. Additionally, some dealers offer the Ford Mobile Service and can perform repairs at your home, work, or any nearby location.
9. Who can I call with additional questions?
Contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332 and speak with a Ford Service team member regarding your queries and concerns.
10. What if I receive recall notices for a vehicle I no longer own?
Visit the Ford support webpage to forward recall information to the right owner.
References
- Ford Recalls
https://www.ford.com/support/recalls/ - Ford Bronco Recalls
https://www.cars.com/research/ford-bronco/recalls/ - 2023 Ford Bronco Recalls
https://www.cars.com/research/ford-bronco-2023/recalls/ - Seatbelt issue
https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/31/business/ford-bronco-recall/index.html - NHTSA
https://www.nhtsa.gov/
Images sourced from Ford Media Center.