Ford Bronco Complaints (2023)

218 consumer complaints on file.

#11518073April 20, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield wipers revert to 4 second intermittent delay after approximately 1 minute, regardless of the speed setting that was selected. E.G. Driving through heavy rain and sleet, the wipers were put onto the constant low setting. After approximately 1 minute (approximately 25 swipes), the wipers slow to a 4 second delay intermittent setting on their own, resulting in a completely obscured windshield for 4 seconds until the next wiper wipe. Changing the wiper knob to any other position resumes the newly selected position operation for another approximate minute, then reverts back to 4 second intermittent delay. With moderate or greater rain, or spray from nearby vehicles, the driver is forced to choose between operating the wiper control knob every minute, or having a completely obstructed windshield every 4 seconds. This problem has been present since the vehicle was purchased, and remains today.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517549April 18, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
When driving in rain & snow (both heavy and light), the wipers slow down on their own while I was driving on the freeway from full wiping speed to intermittent wiping once every 5-7 seconds. I kept having to toggle from fast to slow to fast again just to see. It scared me so much the first time it happened. Thank goodness I have only experienced this weather during the daytime. The temperatures were near, or below freezing, which should've helped keep the motors cool. The windshield was not dry, at all. There was little to no debris or sleet build-up on the windshield or blades, impeding the blades. Other Bronco owners that have reported it to Ford were told "this is normal" per multiple online reviews. How can impeded vision due to erratic wiper blades be normal??!! There were no warning lamps or messages indicating why it is happening. It just happens.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516693April 12, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
While driving in a rain/sleet storm with my windshield wiper set to the normal (slow) speed, they suddenly stopped but then resumed in an intermittent fashion. They then continued to slow down making visibility nearly impossible. I could not see other roadway users nor signage. The only remedy at the time was to to toggle them off and back on again. I did this for nearly two hours, which was a considerable distraction. I have not used the vehicle in inclement weather since then and it has not been diagnosed by my dealer. The vehicle instrument panel made no warnings or messages while this happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516096April 8, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield wipers when set to full on, either slow or fast, will slow down on their own in moderate and heavy rain. This leads to poor visibility. The wipers sometimes stop all together. I constantly have to adjust the wiper control to another setting to get the wipers going at a usable speed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516083April 8, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
My 2023 Ford Bronco has these "Advanced" wipers that automatically stop wiping when they think the windshield is dry or think the wiper motor may be damaged. When driving in heavy rain and you put the wipers on High (or even Low), they automatically switch to Intermittent after about 1 minute. They actually stop wiping at a high speed and pause between wipes for several seconds. In order to keep the wipers going in heavy, blinding rain you have to keep switching the wipers from Low to High to keep them moving. This is a safety hazard since you honestly cannot see though the windshield during heavy rain. I have spoken to many Bronco owners and seen thread on online message boards that everyone has the same issue. After reading the Manual it appears this is a "feature" of the new Ford Bronco. This is a major safety issue and Ford should be required to fix the wiper motor on these vehicles. The issue happens on all of the model years - 2021 - 2023.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515300April 3, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Windshield wipers. Yes, it's available, but since it is environmentally dependent, it may be harder to capture. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Per Ford: "The vehicle is equipped with protection features to prevent damage to the wiper motor in case of overheating, usage on dry windshields or obstructions to the wiper blade due to snow or ice accumulation on the windshield. In such conditions, the wiper motor may restrict its speed, reduce area of cleaning or completely stop operation. System returns back to normal operation mode once conditions are resolved." The current "safety" measures put in place by Ford are actually causing a safety hazard when driving. When driving in rain so heavy that I couldn't see, in 37-degree weather, the wipers slowed down to once every 3-7 seconds, which means I was virtually blind that long on a freeway, going 70mph, and surrounded by vehicles. I haven't seen the issue when the wipers run slower (light-mid rain). At the most recent time of occurrence: * The temperatures were near, or below freezing, which should've helped keep the motors cool (I was driving through the mountains at the time). * There was so much rain that my windshield was completely obfuscated by a layer of water within about 1 second. It was not dry, at all. * There was no debris or build-up on the windshield, impeding the blades. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. Other Bronco owners that have reported it were told "this is normal." Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Nothing indicated why it was happening. It just would happen.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514510March 29, 2023
WHEELS
The vehicle was purchased new on 03/23/23.Yesterday, I began to notice a vibration at low speeds when not applying the brake or gas. Today (03/29), 6 days after purchase, as I’m taking it back to the dealership and while in heavy traffic on I-10, the entire rear drivers side wheel separates from the car. All six lug studs had been completely sheared. My concern is that the studs may not be sufficient for the larger 35” tires that come standard on the Wildtrak series of the Bronco. If they are proven to be sufficient then I’d like to figure out why this occurred as this situation could have ended tragically for not only me but also for other drivers around me. Unfortunately, as of this time, neither the dealer nor Ford have been much help.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514100March 27, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
On many occasions, when we have excessive rain, the windshield wipers on the Bronco will go from the high speed settings to much lower speed. Ford says this is by design to prevent overheating of the windshield wiper motors. In my opinion, it poses a severe safety risk, as the windshield wipers you cant count on when you need them the most. As of now Ford isn't acknowledging it as a problem, and claims its normal... but normal or not its a problem. As a side note, I've owned about 20 diff vehicles of all makes, shapes and sizes... and never had one that I couldnt leave windshield wipers on high without the motors burning up. Ford needs to do something about this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514056March 27, 2023
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the windshield wipers stopped functioning. The contact disengaged and reengaged the windshield wipers; however, the failure persisted. An unknown dealer was contacted and informed the contact that they were unsure of the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 200. The contact stated the vehicle is equipped with protection features to prevent damage to the wiper motor. The contact was not in control of the wiper motor as the sensors and computer were in control.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513855March 26, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
While driving on the highway during a rainstorm I had my wipers set to the highest setting. After about 1 minute they began to slow down on their own until they were only working intermittently. I was unable to see as soon as the wipers began to slow down. I had to toggle the wiper switch in order to get the wipers back to the high setting. They once again began to slow after 1 minute and my visibility became next to nothing. It was very dangerous traveling down the highway at 70 mph and being unable to see, as well as having to continuously toggle the wiper switch while trying to focus on the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513844March 26, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The wipers will turn slow way down or turn off completely even though it is still raining very hard. You have to constantly turn them off and back on. We live in the Portland, Oregon area where it rains frequently!! This is becoming very problematic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513648March 24, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Emergency brake failure. I have a very slight slope on my driveway. My car rolled halfway down my driveway. I assumed I did something wrong although I knew I had the car in gear with the E brake on. Two hours later I came back from an errand parked on my driveway was sitting in my car and my car started rolling backwards. The car was off in gear with the E brake on. I videotaped this happening every 20 seconds the car with balance, and roll back an inch or two. After 4 1/2 minutes, the car rolled the rest of the way down my driveway until it hit the street where it was flat. The car was in gear turned off with the E brake on, and nothing stopped the car from rolling. I tried putting it in an out of gear as this was happening and stomping on the break and nothing happened. I tried several times until it came to a complete stop. I have reported this to Ford. They took a complaint they don’t know what to tell me to do. They don’t have any recalls on my vehicle. This happened two times in the day. The second time was much worse. There were children riding bikes in the street behind my vehicle. I don’t know if the safe to drive this vehicle and the dealer is not able to give me any information. Ford customer service is not able to give me any information. I have video of this. I am not able to upload it to this site. I can email it or any other way that you would prefer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513595March 24, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield wipers, on multiple settings will slow and then stop on their own. During many string rain events I have set the wipes to higher speeds to only have them slow down on their own or stop completely. This has been reported to Ford directly. At the time of operation the rain is heavy and once the wipers slow or stop it because very difficult to see and the person driving must react quickly to reengage the wipers. Continually having the wipers slow or stop and having to reengage them creates a very high risk of accident. Ford refuses to acknowledge the issue and instead indicates they are made this way to protect the wiper motor. I do not use my wipers when it is not raining, nor do I use higher speed on the wipers unless the rain is heavy. This is a reoccurring and ongoing issue every time I drive in the rain.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513384March 23, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
When I put the windshield wipers on standard speed, they will stay there for about 60 seconds and then drop down to a very slow intermittent speed. It happens in very hard rain so I don’t believe it is the rain sensor. If I turn it to fast speed and then back down to normal. It will continue again for 60 seconds and then drop back to intermittent speed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513298March 22, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Wipers will not stay in continuous setting (low) for more than 20 seconds before slowing down to extra slow for another 20 seconds, then stopping continuous and becoming intermittent. Have to keep changing the wiper speed control manually to keep them going continuously. It appears that the factory windshield is extra high friction even when clean and since new, which may be causing the issue of wiper motor slowing itself down to protect itself.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512820March 20, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield wiper blade action slows down or comes to a stop, no matter low speed high speed or intermittent. Driving at 55 mph at early morning darkness during a heavy rain the windshield wipers come to a complete stop. Oncoming traffic headlights glaring through the rain soaked windshield provided almost zero visibility. Quick action had me reaching for the wiper control to fiddle with it upon which the wipe motor started up again, no matter the position the blade continually stopped, unless I constantly flipped the wiper stalk from high to low to keep the blades functioning. I have a manual transmission, imagine trying to shift gears with one hand, flipping the wiper stalk with another all while maintaining control of the vehicle. This not only endangers me, but others on the road should I lose control and hit them head on! What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? WINDSHIELD WIPERS How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? TOTAL LOSS OF VISION OUT THE WINDSHIELD Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? NO HOWEVER OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUES. VISIT THE FOLLOWING FORUMS - BRONCO6G - https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/wiper-control-speed-issues-urgent-safety.31809/ - BRONCO NATION - https://thebronconation.com/issues-repair-and-warranty-n.154/bronco-2-door-windshield-wipers-weird-%E2%80%9Cfeature%E2%80%9D-when-on-high-or-low-speed-t.16155/page-1 Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? AS OF NOW SEVERAL NEW CAR DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN CONFRONTED WITH CUSTOMERS PROBLEMS, SOME HAVE REPLACED THE WIPER MOTORS Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO PRIOR WARING, JUST COMPLETE STOPPAGE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512350March 17, 2023
POWER TRAIN
I started to notice a scraping/grinding noise that is coming from the transmission. It can be heard when I do a cold start and leave in in neutral. If I push the clutch in it goes away. Also, I noticed it a bit louder when I am in low gears such as 1-3, even while fully warmed up.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512068March 15, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Within about three hours of buying the vehicle, while driving the ten speed automatic transmission at normal highway speeds there was a hard popping sound. The vehicle began to vibrate harshly and jerk. Upon continued driving it would stall in intersections in traffic like it was going to stop moving then jerk accelerate and pause again, multiple times. I have owned the vehicle for about 8 days and it has been in the shop for about 7 of those. I was told by the shop that i could continue to drive it or come get it until they are able to further disasemble the transmission, but it doesnt seem safe to drive a vehicle that feels like it is stalling. It was very dangerous when trying to accelerate in traffic and the vibration during normal speeds felt very unsafe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511867March 14, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
When windshield wipers are on high speed during a storm they will slow down after 30 seconds to a speed of wiping the window maybe every 5 seconds causing a significant reduction in visibility.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511842March 14, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH in inclement weather, the windshield wipers were activated on high-speed but failed to operate at the highest setting. The contact stated that the windshield wiper defaulted to intermediate speed and deactivated and turned off independently on other occasions. The contact stated that there was a safety feature to deactivate the windshield wipers if the windshield was dry however, it was raining and snowing so the feature should not have been activated. The contact stated that his vision was affected by the failure. The contact toggled with the settings, causing his attention to be diverted from the road which could have caused a crash. The contact stated that the windshield wipers then activated independently. The vehicle was driven and parked at the residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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