Some 2021-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine, 2021-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost or 3.0L plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) engine, 2021-2023 Edge/Nautilus vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost, 2021-2024 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost, and 2021-2024 Bronco and 2024 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine. This noise may occur on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more that may last for 2-5 seconds. This may be due to an internal component of the variable cam timing (VCT) unit. Workshop Manual (WSM)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Ford Bronco engine problems
severe Owners of the 2023 Ford Bronco have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 Bronco | 60 |
| 2022 Bronco | 22 |
| 2023 Bronco (this page) | 14 |
1fire
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2021-2025 Bronco and 2024-2025 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L/3.0L EcoBoost engine may require removal of the engine front cover due to various concerns. Workshop Manual, Section 303-01 has been updated with improved engine front cover removal and installation service procedure steps including a new body removal and install step.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2021-2024 Edge/Nautilus, 2021-2025 Bronco/Bronco Sport/E-Series/Escape/Corsair/Expedition/Navigator/Explorer/Aviator/F-150/F-Super Duty/Mustang/Ranger, and 2022-2025 Maverick vehicles may require an A/C compressor clutch assembly replacement be performed for various concerns. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 412-00 Removal and Installation has been updated to eliminate the need to remove and install the A/C compressor to change out the A/C Compressor clutch assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2020 Continental, 2020-2024 Edge/Nautilus, 2020-2025 Explorer/Aviator/Escape/Corsair/F-150/F-Super Duty/Ranger/Transit/E-Series, 2021-2025 Bronco, and 2022-2025 Maverick vehicles may require an engine cooling system flush to be performed for various concerns. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-03 has been updated to eliminate the need to remove and install the radiator assembly to perform a radiator flush.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2020-2024 F-150, 2021-2024 Bronco, and 2024 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more that may last for 2-5 seconds. This may be due to a stuck internal component of the variable cam timing (VCT) unit.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a constellation of engine failures in the 2023 Ford Bronco, many occurring under 7,000 miles. Catalytic converter failure appears in at least two narratives, with one vehicle dying twice before 7k miles. Multiple owners report low-RPM engine knock starting around 3,000 miles; dealers acknowledge the knock but claim it's normal and won't address it until catastrophic failure occurs. Cam phaser failure is documented, with one owner experiencing engine shutdown on the highway after recent replacement. Misfire codes—particularly cylinder 4—show up repeatedly, sometimes with no root cause found by dealers. Turbocharger problems include wastegate malfunction and turbo failure at 1,100 miles, with one turbo failure compounded by transmission damage during flat-towing due to mode disengagement. Intake air leaks are cited as a known defect with active recalls on prior model years. One narrative describes a complete engine fire under the hood while stopped at a light. Engine stalling under load—at intersections, during acceleration, or at highway speed—is a recurring complaint. Coolant intrusion into cylinders has prompted engine replacement recommendations. Parts availability is a widespread frustration, with owners reporting months of backorders for catalytic converters and other components.
Same Ford Bronco engine reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Catalytic Converter Failure
Catalytic converter fails without warning, causing engine shutdown. One vehicle experienced two failures before 7,000 miles. Dealers cite backorder delays of months for replacement.
When: One at 6k miles; second occurrence at 7k miles after first repair
Symptoms owners cite: engine dies without warning; check engine light; unable to restart immediately
Codes mentioned: catalytic converter failure indicated via Ford Pass app
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement; backorder parts delayed approximately 1.5 months
Engine Knock (Low RPM)
Audible knocking at low RPM during acceleration, smoothing out around 1,500-2,000 RPM. Dealers acknowledge the knock but refuse to repair, claiming it is normal variation among EcoBoost engines.
When: Starting at approximately 3,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: audible engine knock at low RPM; knock during acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers refuse repair pending catastrophic failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers state knock is normal; Ford has not investigated or issued fix
Cam Phaser Failure
Cam phaser fails, requiring replacement. One owner reports replacement followed by engine shutdown on highway within one week.
When: Unspecified mileage; failure recurrence within one week of replacement
Symptoms owners cite: engine shutdown; unable to restart; engine dies on highway at speed
Repairs/costs cited: Cam phaser replacement
Cylinder Misfire (Cylinder 4)
Cylinder 4 misfire codes appear in multiple narratives. In one case, dealer could not duplicate the issue or identify the cause. In another, coolant inside the cylinder is suspected, requiring engine replacement.
When: Unspecified mileage for initial misfire; one case suggests early in vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light; cylinder 4 misfire code; engine misfire; unsafe driving conditions
Codes mentioned: cylinder 4 misfire
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's dealer could not find cause; another facing engine replacement due to suspected coolant intrusion
Turbocharger Failure
Turbocharger fails early in vehicle life. One failure at 1,100 miles presented as bad gasoline but persisted after fuel drain and refill; rediagnosed as faulty turbocharger. Another failure involved turbo damage during flat-towing due to Flat-Tow mode disengagement.
When: At approximately 1,100 miles; another at 50,200 miles (turbo/transmission damage from towing)
Symptoms owners cite: service engine soon light; powertrain warning light; transmission temperature warning light; burning odor
Codes mentioned: powertrain code
Repairs/costs cited: Turbocharger replacement; flat-tow turbo/transmission damage required replacement of both components
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tech Service Bulletin 22-7086; manufacturer concluded flat-tow failure was user error and declined repair coverage
Wastegate Malfunction
Wastegate failure triggers engine service light indicating reduced power or power failure. Part availability is unknown; dealer has no ETA.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: engine service light; reduced power message
Codes mentioned: wastegate problem
Repairs/costs cited: Wastegate replacement required; no parts availability
Intake Air Leak
Engine begins to leak air at intake, owner states this is a known faulty problem in prior model years with active recalls. Owner reports intake air leak caused misfire and engine replacement was required.
When: Unspecified mileage, early in vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: misfire; check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Active recall exists on prior model years (22 Ford Bronco)
Engine Stalling Under Load
Engine stalls at stop lights, during acceleration, or at highway speed. Multiple restart attempts sometimes required. One incident occurred in bumper-to-bumper highway traffic; another at low speed during acceleration in a neighborhood.
When: Unspecified mileage; incidents range from intersections to highway conditions
Symptoms owners cite: engine stalls; loss of power; unable to restart immediately; manual restart required message
Codes mentioned: manual restart required message
Coolant Intrusion into Cylinders
Coolant found inside cylinder after check engine light and misfire code. Dealer recommends engine replacement.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light; cylinder 4 misfire
Codes mentioned: cylinder 4 misfire
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement recommended
Engine Fire
Complete engine fire under the hood while vehicle is stopped at a traffic light. Fire spreads to torch entire front of vehicle.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: steam/smoke from under hood; smoke entering vehicle through air vents; flames under hood; total vehicle fire
Repairs/costs cited: Total loss; vehicle burned
Catastrophic Engine Shutdown
Engine completely dies without warning at low mileage, leaving owners stranded. One case at approximately 2,900 miles during lunch-time traffic; another at highway speed requiring immediate exit from freeway.
When: One at approximately 2,900 miles; another at highway speed (mileage unspecified)
Symptoms owners cite: engine dies without warning; shaking before failure; engine light illuminates; unable to restart; loss of all power
Codes mentioned: engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required or pending
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Check engine light stayed on, constant. Code run showed cylinder 4 misfire. Bronco still under warranty so took to dealership. Mechanic said coolant was inside cylinder so he requested recommended remedy from Ford and would probably be engine replacement.
Engine service light came on indicating reduced power/power failure. Called Ford dealership and they said to bring it in asap. After diagnosis the Ford dealership said there was a problem with the wastegate. The dealership has no eta on when the part will be available.
My vehicle has the 2.7L V6 Ecoboost engine. This engine apparently has a design defect that results in repeated cam phaser failure. My engine recently had cam phaser failure and I had them replaced. A week later I was driving at speed on a highway when my engine completely died. I had to pull to the side of the road and could not restart my engine. I ended up being towed to a dealership and am…
My engine has had a knocking problem since 3000 miles. Everytime I take it to Ford they agreed it has a knock but won't fix the problem stating it's normal and some engine knock more than others. The engine knocks at low rpm when stepping on the accelerator then smooths out about 1500 to 2000 rpm. One mechanic said it's an issue but they won't fix it unless it has a catastrophic failure this is…
Had engine trouble with your 2023 Ford Bronco?
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?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 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 14 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 25,650 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.
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.