On XXX, our 2023 Ford Bronco, VIN [XXX], was stopped on an incline. The vehicle was not moving, and the driver exited the vehicle believing it was in Park. The vehicle was actually still in Drive. A passenger remained in the vehicle. While the Bronco was stationary, the passenger pressed the START/STOP button from the passenger seat to turn the vehicle off. Immediately after the vehicle was switched off, it began rolling backward down the incline. The passenger was unable to safely stop the vehicle and attempted to exit the moving Bronco. The open vehicle door struck the passenger in the back of the leg/hip area. The passenger had to throw herself to the ground to avoid being dragged, run over, or more seriously injured. The Bronco went off a significant drop off and crashed into a tree. The passenger narrowly escaped the vehicle before it went over the drop off. After the incident, the vehicle displayed a "Park Aid Fault" warning. Ford's 2023 Bronco Owner's Manual states that a "Transmission Not In Park (P)" audible warning is supposed to sound if the vehicle is switched off before being shifted into Park and also if the driver's door is opened before the vehicle is shifted into Park. [IF TRUE: We do not recall hearing a Transmission Not In Park warning before the rollaway.] I am concerned that the vehicle remained stationary on the incline while still in Drive, creating the appearance that it was secured, but began rolling backward when the START/STOP button was pressed. I am also concerned about whether the transmission-not-in-park warning, braking/holding systems, ignition system, and related safety systems functioned as designed. The unexpected rollaway resulted in an injury and created an immediate risk of the passenger being crushed, dragged, or run over. I request that NHTSA investigate whether this vehicle's behavior and warning systems operated as designed and whether this represents a potential vehicle safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.
Steering rack component failure, vague steering, play during steering directional change, Light grinding noise when turning steering wheel.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
The MIC hardtop is bubbling some at the top and has a line where it looks like perhaps it is assembled on the back panel over the top that is discolored in comparison to the rest of the top. Furthermore, the middle panel is a different color than the rest of the hardtop. It is available for complete inspection upon request. The car has not been inspected by dealer but was bought used and did not show the bubbling whenever it was purchased--but rather it has happened in the months since it was purchased. It was found when the top was removed and the bubbling was noticeable when running my hand over it. Note that it is not visible to be seen via picture, and the bubble must be felt. It cannot be seen in a photo.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
I was going really slow down an easy dirt road in 4L and all of the sudden the steering wheel spun violently two full turns left in under a second on its own. This threw my right arm off the wheel where it hit the shifter with force leaving a large bruise. Steering system fault warning appeared, the tire position on the camera screen was stuck all the way left, and i could no longer disconnect my stabilizer bar. i turned the car off for 5 minutes then back on and everything was fine. If this steering glitch happened at highway speeds I could have rolled the car and dies. Luckily i was going really slow on a relatively smooth part of the trail when this occurred and it only shook me and my passengers up a little and bruised my arm. If the trail had been more steep or if there were rocks on the trail, this could have flipped my vehicle.
The MIC hard top component on my Ford Bronco is cracking. I have gotten it replaced twice through Ford for the same issue, but now this is my 3rd top and the issue keeps coming back.
No injuries · No fire · No crash