NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2023 Ford Bronco Sport Safety Ratings
The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport scores 71 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 14 recalls, and 141 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport achieved a NHTSA Safety Index of 71 out of 100, placing it in our Average band. This rating is underpinned by strong performance in federal crash tests. However, the overall assessment is moderated by 14 recalls, one of which advised owners to park outside, and a limited score for its avoidance technology.
The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport received a 5-out-of-5-star overall crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 71 out of 100, based on NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 139 SUVs from 2023 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport ranks 133 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 71 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 17.4% |
| Recalls on file | 14 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 141 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 133 of 139 SUVs tested for 2023 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport?
The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport represents a meaningful step back from its 2022 predecessor: the NHTSA Safety Index fell from 76 to 71, a five-point drop within the same Average band. The decline is explained almost entirely by the defect record component, which scores 0 out of a possible 20 points, reflecting the weight of 14 recall campaigns accumulated against this model year. Crash protection remains the clear strength at 66 out of 70, consistent with NHTSA's 5-star overall rating. The avoidance-tech score of 5 out of 10 reflects that forward collision warning is listed as both standard and optional depending on trim, and lane departure warning is standard, but the configuration does not earn full credit in the scoring model. The park-outside ball-joint recall is the most urgent safety matter: it covers 2021-2026 Bronco Sport vehicles and carries the highest severity designation in NHTSA's framework. The fuel injector recall on 1.5L engines and the engine block heater campaign add further layers of concern for this specific model year. Taken together, the 2023 Bronco Sport's safety profile is defined by excellent passive protection offset by an unusually heavy recall burden.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport perform in crash tests?
The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport achieved a 5 out of 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Its performance in frontal and side crash tests was perfect, earning 5 stars in both categories. The sole area where the Bronco Sport did not achieve the maximum rating was in rollover protection, where it received 4 out of 5 stars. The measured rollover risk for the vehicle is 17 percent, with its dynamic tip-test resulting in no tip.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 17285
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport have any recalls?
Yes. The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport carries 14 recall campaigns. One is a park-outside or do-not-drive directive tied to the front lower control arm ball joint. Additional campaigns cover the fuel injection system on 1.5L-equipped vehicles, an engine block heater fire risk, a back-over prevention software issue, and a powertrain control module recall affecting vehicles previously repaired incorrectly. Owners should verify remedy status by VIN.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT26V340000
Risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and repair the front lower control arm ball joints as necessary, free of charge.Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S36. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall b
Reported 2026-05-27
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER25V685000
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters
Reported 2025-10-10
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM25V467000
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. In addition, dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel rail assembly and fuel injectors, free of charge. As an interim repair, dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 29, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the final remedy is avai
Reported 2025-07-11
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V442000
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Reported 2025-06-27
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)25V158000
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 April 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S26.
Reported 2025-03-14
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM25V165000
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 powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S21.
Reported 2025-03-14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY25V019000
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-267 and will need to have the new remedy completed.
Reported 2025-01-17
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR24V594000
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.
Reported 2024-08-09
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM24V267000
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.
Reported 2024-04-12
TIRES24V223000
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.
Reported 2024-03-22
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM24V187000
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 recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-859.
Reported 2024-03-08
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE23V021000
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.
Reported 2023-01-23
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport?
NHTSA has received 141 unverified consumer complaints for the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. Alleged problem areas include the Electrical System (37 reports), Engine (31), Fuel System (27), Gasoline (27), Fuel and Propulsion System (23), and Power Train (18). These are unverified allegations, not confirmed defects.
141 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport?
Shoppers considering a used 2023 Ford Bronco Sport should be aware of a significant recall burden. The model year has accumulated 14 open or recently issued recall campaigns, a notable figure. It is imperative that any prospective owner confirm that all recall remedies have been completed by a Ford dealership, particularly given the existence of a "park outside" directive among the outstanding issues.
- The 2023 Bronco Sport's Safety Index dropped five points versus the 2022 model year, from 76 to 71, driven by a defect record score of 0 out of 20 reflecting 14 recall campaigns specific to this model year.
- One of the 14 recalls carries a park-outside or do-not-drive designation tied to the front lower control arm ball joint, covering 2021-2026 Bronco Sport vehicles and representing the most urgent open safety action for this year.
- The 1.5L-equipped 2023 Bronco Sport is subject to a separate fuel injection system recall, making engine displacement a relevant factor when checking VIN-specific recall status.
- Despite the heavy recall burden, NHTSA crash-test results for this model year are strong: 5 stars overall, 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side, and 4 stars rollover with a 17 percent rollover risk and a No Tip dynamic result.
RANKINGSWhere the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport places
The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2023 Ford Bronco Sport safety questions
Was the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 71 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 17.4%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 14 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 141 owner complaints are on file for the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Bronco Sport years
Rivals in SUV (2023)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Tesla Model X Later Release | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Later Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Rwd Early Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Rwd Later Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Buick Envision | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2023 Lexus Rz 450e | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 17285), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Bronco Sport 2023.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 133 of 139 in the SUV class for 2023.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.