'Ford brought back the steam engine?': Mechanic warns this can happen to Ford Bronco engine after only 17,000 miles (2024)
In a revealing TikTok clip that has amassed over a million views, Cesar (@fordfrenzy), a mechanic, uncovers a concerning issue with a late-model 2.3-liter Ford Bronco. Despite having only 17,000 miles on it, the vehicle exhibits alarming signs of seizing and knocking. Cesar’s 16-second video shows the mechanical woes affecting one of Ford’s iconic models, highlighting Ford’s need for immediate attention and action.
The 2.3L engine problems in the Ford Bronco, highlighted by Cesar’s viral TikTok, shine a spotlight on a critical issue—seizing and knocking in engines with startlingly low mileage.
This malfunction jeopardizes the vehicle’s performance and poses safety risks to its occupants. Ford’s acknowledgment through the Customer Satisfaction Program 23B08, targeting a specific range of build dates for replacement, underscores the gravity of the defect. This scenario is particularly disheartening for owners and enthusiasts of the Bronco, as it tarnishes the reliability of a vehicle celebrated for its durability and off-road prowess. The urgent call for engine replacements in vehicles barely broken in illustrates a significant oversight in the manufacturing process,demanding rigorous scrutinyand immediate rectification to restore confidence in the Bronco’s performance and reliability.
“Ford brought back the steam engine?” joked one commenter. Jokes kept coming: “Fords doing away with navigation- you can look out the windshield and see how far you’re gonna get.” Another wondered, “But did they keep up with oil changes?”
Ford’sCustomer Satisfaction Program 23B08addresses engine replacements for specific 2023 models, including the 2.3L Broncos, signifying a broader concern within the lineup.
Dealers were directed to repair all affected vehicles upon arrival, regardless of customer notification. The issue stems from a machining tool error, leading to an improperly sealed main oil galley plug in the four-cylinder turbo engine. This defect can cause oil leaks, heightening the risk of engine failure and potential fires. The program, effective through March 31, 2024, with no mileage limit, underscored Ford’s acknowledgment of the severity of the situation. However, the program’s necessity casts a shadow on the reliability of these celebrated vehicles.
The 2.3L EcoBoost engines, pivotal to the Bronco’s performance, are not alone in their problems. The 2021 and 2022 models with the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engineshave also been scrutinizedfor similar, if not more severe, issues. Owners have reported total engine failure, a nightmare scenario for any car enthusiast or everyday driver. Such widespreadproblems across different engine typeswithin the Bronco lineup raise questions about these vehicles’ long-term reliability and integrity.
Ford’s initiative to address these concerns through the Customer Satisfaction Program is a step in the right direction, yet it also highlights a significant challenge. Replacing an engine is no small task and certainly not an expected requirement for a vehicle with such low mileage. This situation inconveniences the owners and impacts Ford’s reputation for quality and reliability.
As Ford navigates through these turbulent waters, the automotive community watches closely. The outcome of the Customer Satisfaction Program and the resolution of the Bronco’s engine issues will be critical in determining the future of this storied model. For now, Cesar’s video is a cautionary tale for potential buyers and a call to action for Ford to uphold the high standards that the Bronco and its drivers deserve.
The Daily Dot contacted Cesar via TikTok comment, and Ford via email.
Kahron Spearman is the community manager for the Daily Dot and Nautilus magazine. He’s also a journalist, copywriter, and host of “Discovery with Kahron Spearman” on KAZI 88.7.
Bronco owners have reported experiencing issues like premature camshaft lobe wear, faulty lifters, and irregular valve timing. Premature camshaft lobe wear affects the proper opening and closing of valves, which in turn hinders engine performance and fuel economy.
The last Bronco rolled off the assembly line on June 12, 1996 at the Michigan Truck Plant. The taste of the American consumers was changing, and the stalwart two-door sport utility vehicle was being replaced in the Ford lineup by the four-door Expedition.
The NHTSA investigation was initiated after reports of catastrophic engine failures. The NHTSA is investigating all 2021 model-year Ford Bronco sports utility vehicles after receiving reports of valves dropping into their respective cylinders and resulting in serious internal engine damage.
The announcement coincided with the death of Simpson, who famously led Los Angeles police on a low-speed 1994 chase while riding in a white Bronco. Ford discontinued its Bronco line in 1996 for business reasons, but planned to bring back the once-popular SUV on July 9, 2021.
Sales of the Bronco during the full 2023 calendar year were also down by 10 percent, suggesting waning interest for the boxy all-terrain SUV. I chalk it up to too many 4 doors being made and not enough 2 doors in addition to inflation and interest rates. Per Car and Driver, sales are down.
Tight End. One of the true "boom or bust" positions on the Denver Broncos roster in 2024 is the tight end position. It sounds like Lucas Krull is a player worth keeping an eye on here, especially in the passing game. Greg Dulcich is a wild card who, if he can stay healthy, can be a dynamic weapon.
In April, Ford recalled nearly 43,000 Bronco Sports and Escapes SUVs because gasoline can leak from the fuel injectors onto hot engine surfaces, increasing the risk of fires.
Part of why the new Bronco is so popular is simply that it's a unique vehicle. In an age where manual transmissions are being phased out, the Bronco offers it as an option. The Bronco doesn't forget its off-road roots either. The off-road-focused Sasquatchpackage can be added to any trim level.
2024 Ford Bronco: The Ford Bronco remains unchanged for 2024, with the only update being a Code Orange trim for the flagship Raptor model. Also, the base model is now discontinued. The Code Orange adds an orange motif to the exterior and interior, including orange beadlock rings, seatbelts, and graphics.
In the U.S., over 800 EcoBoost V6 engines have been replaced so far as a direct result. The defective valves were manufactured out of a specific alloy known as “Silchrome Lite”, which can become excessively hard and brittle if an over-temperature condition occurs during machining of the component, the NHTSA explains.
According to Ford, the 2.7-liter EcoBoost might go kaput due to interference between the valves and pistons. The root cause comes in the form of valve keepers not holding the retainer in place, allowing the spring to detach from the valve, leading to engine lockup.
2020—2023 Ford Escape® and 2022—2023 Maverick® vehicles with 2.5L HEV/PHEV engines recalled. The safety of you and your passengers is key to every vehicle we build. That's why we are issuing a safety recall on 2020—2023 Ford Escape® and 2022—2023 Maverick® vehicles with 2.5L HEV/PHEV engines.
According to a Bronco6G member—who claimed to be a worker at the Lima engine plant and whose account has since been deleted—the issue is due to the valves used in the 2.7-liter V-6 supplied by an outside vendor to Ford's Lima plant.
So far, the investigations have identified multiple contributing factors that can lead to the fracturing of the intake valves in the affected engines. An integral part of the issue is the material used for the defective intake valves, which is known as Silochrome Lite.
Federal regulators are questioning the method that Michigan automaker Ford took to repair thousands of SUVs it recalled early last month. In April, Ford recalled nearly 43,000 Bronco Sports and Escapes SUVs because gasoline can leak from the fuel injectors onto hot engine surfaces, increasing the risk of fires.
The safety of you and your passengers is key to every vehicle we build. That's why we are issuing a safety recall on 2020—2023 Ford Escape® and 2022—2023 Maverick® vehicles with 2.5L HEV/PHEV engines. The recall repair for all vehicles is now available.
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