NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2023 Ford Bronco Safety Ratings
The 2023 Ford Bronco scores 55 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Weak), 18 recalls, and 211 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2023 Ford Bronco was not rated in overall crash safety by NHTSA. This absence of a comprehensive evaluation, combined with a defect record score of 0 out of 20, points to significant safety considerations. The model year is associated with 17 recall campaigns. These factors contribute to its NHTSA Safety Index score of 55 out of 100, positioning it in the Weak band. Buyers should carefully weigh these safety concerns.
The 2023 Ford Bronco received a NHTSA Safety Index of 55/100 and a 3-out-of-5-star rollover rating from NHTSA.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 139 SUVs from 2023 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2023 Ford Bronco ranks 136 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
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| NHTSA Safety Index | 55 / 100 (Weak) |
|---|---|
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 3 stars |
| Rollover risk | 25.6% |
| Recalls on file | 18 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 211 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 136 of 139 SUVs tested for 2023 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2023 Ford Bronco?
The 2023 Ford Bronco represents a notable step backward from its prior model year. The NHTSA Safety Index fell from 60/100 in 2022, which sat in the Below Average band, to 55/100 in 2023, landing in the weaker Weak band. That five-point drop is driven almost entirely by the defect record component, which scores 0 out of a possible 20 points, reflecting the weight of 17 active recall campaigns against this model year. The crash protection score of 49.8 out of 70 is supported by a solid 4-star frontal result, but the absence of an overall NHTSA rating and the 3-star rollover score with a 26 percent rollover risk leave meaningful gaps in the safety picture. The avoidance tech score of 5 out of 10 reflects standard forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control, which is a baseline suite but not a class-leading one. The combination of a deteriorating Index, a park-outside or do-not-drive recall, and 211 unverified complaints including alleged crashes and fires makes the 2023 model year the weakest-performing Bronco year in this dataset.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2023 Ford Bronco perform in crash tests?
For the 2023 Ford Bronco, federal data show a notable divergence in safety performance metrics. The vehicle achieved a 4 out of 5 stars in frontal crash protection, representing its strongest individual crash-test result. However, the Bronco's rollover resistance is rated at 3 out of 5 stars, with a 26 percent rollover risk identified from the dynamic tip test, where no tip event occurred. No overall or side crash ratings are available from NHTSA for the 2023 model year.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 17284
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2023 Ford Bronco have any recalls?
Yes. The 2023 Ford Bronco carries 17 recall campaigns. Component areas include the transmission-to-transfer-case joint alignment, front seat frame height-adjustment fasteners, back-over prevention software, fender flare attachment, and an engine block heater electrical concern. One campaign is designated park-outside or do-not-drive, signaling a serious enough hazard that Ford directed owners not to drive affected vehicles until repaired.
ENGINE26V468000
Risk: A short circuit in the engine compartment can create heat or spark, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install sheathing over the wiring, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2026 Bronco Raptor notified owners on 7/31/2026. Phase 2 will include 2021-2025 Bronco Raptor vehicle will notify owners on or about 8/14/2026. Phase 3 will include 2021-2026 Bronco will notify owners on or about 9/1/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may
Reported 2026-07-20
STRUCTURE:BODY26V403000
Risk: A detached fender flare can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the fender flares as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 1, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S47. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning August 7, 2026.
Reported 2026-06-24
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION26V236000
Risk: Excessive wear of the transmission and transfer case splines may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission to transfer case joint and replace the transmission and transfer case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 202
Reported 2026-04-14
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE26V124000
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The APIM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S09. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.
Reported 2026-03-03
SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS25V721000
Risk: A seat with a dislodged bolt may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the pivot links and bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB5. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 28, 2025.
Reported 2025-10-23
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:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP25V455000
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
Reported 2025-07-07
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA25V273000
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S48. This recall expands previous recall number 23V-598.
Reported 2025-05-14
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V315000
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is avail
Reported 2025-05-09
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER25V025000
Risk: An external reservoir that detaches from a vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear shock absorbers, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S01.
Reported 2025-01-17
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK24V189000
Risk: A malfunctioning child safety lock that allows a rear door to be opened unintentionally can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the child safety locks and replace the rear door latch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 9, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S15.
Reported 2024-03-08
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR24V142000
Risk: Detached rear glass panels may create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the rear glass panels on Bronco vehicles. On Bronco Heritage vehicles, dealers will replace the rear left-hand removable quarter glass panel. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Bronco owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2024. Bronco Heritage owner letters were mailed June 12, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford
Reported 2024-02-23
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2023 Ford Bronco?
NHTSA has received 211 unverified owner complaints for the 2023 Ford Bronco. The top alleged problem area is Visibility and Wipers with 89 reports, followed by the Electrical System with 22, Engine with 19, Power Train with 19, and Service Brakes with 16. Owners also allege 5 crashes and 3 fire-related incidents. All are unverified allegations.
211 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2023 Ford Bronco?
With 17 recall campaigns on record for the 2023 Ford Bronco, including one park-outside or do-not-drive designation, confirming that all remedies have been completed is essential for any prospective owner. A VIN check through the NHTSA recall lookup tool is therefore a critical step before purchase.
- The 2023 Bronco's Safety Index dropped five points from the 2022 model year, moving from the Below Average band to the weaker Weak band, a year-over-year decline driven by a defect record score of 0 out of 20.
- One of the 17 recall campaigns for this model year carries a park-outside or do-not-drive designation, meaning Ford identified a hazard serious enough to direct owners not to operate affected vehicles before repair.
- NHTSA has not assigned an overall crash-test star rating to the 2023 Bronco; the frontal rating of 4 out of 5 stars is the strongest available result, while the rollover rating of 3 out of 5 stars comes with a 26 percent rollover risk figure.
- Visibility and Wipers is the single most-reported complaint category with 89 unverified allegations, an unusually concentrated cluster that distinguishes this model year's complaint profile from a typical distribution across systems.
RANKINGSWhere the 2023 Ford Bronco places
The 2023 Ford Bronco qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2023 Ford Bronco safety questions
Was the 2023 Ford Bronco crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2023 Ford Bronco, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 55 out of 100, placing it in the Weak band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2023 Ford Bronco crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2023 Ford Bronco earned 4 out of 5 stars for frontal and 3 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 25.6%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2023 Ford Bronco have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 18 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2023 Ford Bronco, 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?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 211 owner complaints are on file for the 2023 Ford Bronco. 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 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 17284), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Bronco 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 136 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.