I have had gas in the oil 3 different times now. I had went over to lafontaine on [XXX] , and they said it was because I was 500 miles before an oil change. I knew that gas and oil didn’t mix so I fought for the car to stay at the dealership and the whole time I was being told I was crazy and not to waste the technicians time after the 2nd time of it being there. I then for the 3rd time went to…
2023 Ford Bronco Sport engine problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
2injuries
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport engine has serious documented problems: cracked fuel injectors creating fire risk (recall 25V467 with no parts available months later), fuel contaminating oil, complete engine failures at extremely low mileage, unexpected stalling without warning, and repeated water pump failures. Multiple owners report dangerous stalling in traffic, fires in brand-new vehicles, and dealerships unable or unwilling to fix issues.
Owners report eight distinct engine-related failure modes across fourteen complaints. The most critical is cracked fuel injectors enabling fuel accumulation near hot engine surfaces, causing spontaneous under-hood fires—even in vehicles with VINs that don't match Ford's recall registry despite post-recall production dates. NHTSA Recall 25V467 was issued in August 2025, but as of February 2026, replacement parts remain unavailable, leaving owners driving known fire hazards with no timeline for repair.
Fuel contaminating oil appears repeatedly, with owners reporting gas smell from the dipstick and engine shaking, but dealerships unable to identify root cause. One owner sought lemon law buyback, denied despite multiple service visits.
Multiple owners report complete engine failure or turbocharger blowout at shockingly low mileage—250 miles, under 3,000 miles—with one involving stalling in busy intersections multiple times before total engine replacement. Another describes unexpected shutdown on I-95 with complete loss of power, braking, and control. Loss of oil pressure during acceleration forces limp mode, creating collision risk.
One owner replaced water pump three times and vacuum pump twice in under five months. Transmission unexpectedly shifting to neutral and engaging the park brake at highway speeds was also reported.
Across narratives, dealerships consistently cite unavailable parts or inability to diagnose, while Ford offers no loaner vehicles, transportation, or compensation for recall repairs.
Same Ford Bronco Sport engine reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Cracked fuel injector with under-hood fire risk
Fuel injector cracks, allowing fuel to accumulate on top of the engine. Liquid fuel and/or fuel vapor near hot engine surfaces can ignite, causing under-hood fire.
When: Within 50 miles to early ownership; NHTSA Recall 25V467 issued August 2025 with no parts available as of February 2026
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel smell in cabin or under hood; Spontaneous under-hood fire; Fuel pooling near injector
Codes mentioned: 25V467, 25S76 PCM software update
Repairs/costs cited: Recall remedy not yet available; independent shops sourcing replacement parts at owner expense; software update intended to detect leak and force limp mode
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 25V467 issued; PCM software update (25S76) remedy not yet available; Ford claims to have recalled and 'fixed' affected vehicles but post-recall fires reported; no loaner cars or compensation offered
Fuel in oil
Gasoline contaminating engine oil, causing internal degradation and engine noise. Condition persists across multiple dealership visits with no root cause identified.
When: Early ownership; multiple occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Gas smell from dipstick area; Engine shaking and rattling; Unpleasant engine noise; Oil level issues (gas mixing with oil)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to identify cause; one dealer refused warranty repair claiming 'various issues' from prior owner; independent shops unwilling to service due to safety concern; owner sought lemon law buyback denied
Engine misfire with delayed acceleration and stalling
Engine misfiring and unresponsive throttle, followed by complete engine failure. Vehicle stalls repeatedly in traffic, creating dangerous situations.
When: Less than 3,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: 5-6 second delay in throttle response; Sudden rev to 6000 RPM when acceleration engages; Engine misfire; Multiple stalls in busy intersections; Complete engine failure
Repairs/costs cited: Computer reset performed initially; spark plug replaced; entire engine replacement required
Loss of oil pressure under acceleration
Oil pressure drops during mild to hard acceleration, forcing vehicle into limp mode. Power loss occurs when avoiding traffic hazards, creating collision risk.
When: Multiple occurrences during ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of oil pressure during passing/acceleration; Limp mode engagement; Engine light illumination; Low oil pressure warning message; Loss of power while accelerating
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple Ford service visits; issue remains uncorrected
Transmission shift to neutral and park brake engagement while driving
Vehicle unexpectedly shifts into neutral and park brake engages while in motion at low speed, occurring multiple times in quick succession.
When: During Eco Mode driving
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected shift to neutral at 25-30 MPH; Park brake engagement while driving; Hard brake pedal after incident; Multiple electrical faults: SERVICE VEHICLE SOON, CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM FAULT, FULL ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE, PARK AID FAULT, PRE COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE, SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC; No engine start after exiting vehicle (temporary)
Engine and turbocharger failure
Engine and turbocharger blowout at extremely low mileage with oil expulsion through exhaust system.
When: Approximately 250 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal sound from engine; Blown turbocharger; Oil coming out of exhaust
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; parts not available per dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer unable to estimate time of arrival for replacement parts
Unexpected engine shutdown while driving
Engine cuts off without warning while in motion, leaving driver without power, braking, or steering control.
When: During highway driving (I-95)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shuts off unexpectedly; No warning lights before shutdown; Loss of power; Loss of braking capability; Loss of vehicle control; Multiple occurrences (3 times reported in one narrative)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed; engine replacement required
Water pump and vacuum pump premature failure
Water pump and vacuum pump fail repeatedly within short intervals, requiring multiple replacements in less than one year.
When: September 2024, May 2025, February 2026 for water pump; two vacuum pumps in same week in 2026
Symptoms owners cite: Water pump failure (3 replacements); Vacuum pump failure (2 replacements in one week)
Repairs/costs cited: Three water pump replacements and two vacuum pump replacements in approximately 5 months
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2023 Ford Bronco Sport?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 17 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 25,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2023/Ford/Bronco Sport.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.