2023 Bronco Sport loses power uphill

[Bucko]

Wouldn't that trigger a CEL though?

I'd think so.

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[Bucko]

I have a few guesses.

1. From your description is sounds like your engine was heat soaked. When the engine gets hot and the intercooler--the device that cools the air going into the engine--is heat soaked it cannot extract heat from the charge air. When using regular gas the engine is more prone to detonation when heat soaked, and the PCM (powertrain control module) will restrict power output to protect the engine. You can test this theory by switching to regular (make sure you use top-tier gas--see below), then go driving in stop and go traffic on a hot day; this is the scenario you are most likely to get heat soaked. If the engine begins to hesitate again that is most likely the issue. Get it out away from traffic on the highway for a bit where you can get good air flowing through the engine bay, then stop and try the throttle response again. Because you will be using regular it will not accelerate as well as it does using premium, but if heat soaking is the issue the hesitation should be far less or gone entirely. Premium helps to alleviate adverse symptoms associated with heat soaking because it's less prone to detonation. The means the PCM intervention to reduce power output will be reduced/eliminated.

2. You just weren't stepping hard enough on the pedal when burning regular. You get a bit better throttle response with premium gas, which means the engine responds faster to pedal movement. With regular you have to push harder to get the same response.

2. You got a bad batch of regular gas. Pump gas octane can vary a bit, especially in areas where the government mandates different formulations for winter vs summer. It's possible the station you purchased your fuel from wasn't supplying 87 octane fuel. The best way to be sure you get good gas is to buy from a top tier supplier. This link lists retailers that sell top-tier gas.

You can test either of the last two theories by switching back to regular gas for a few tanks. If you weren't using top tier gas before try some. If the car accelerates normally (it won't accelerate as well as with premium, but you shouldn't get a 2-3 second hesitation) then that was the issue. If you were using top-tier before try stepping harder on the gas pedal--like all the way to the floor. There should be little to no hesitation (unless your engine is heat soaked--see above).

If none of these are the issue then I'm stumped.

I've never experienced item #1. I live in Florida, and we get what I call "Africa hot" days were the outside temps hit 98 degrees, with a heat index and humidity levels over 100. I've idled in parking lots with the A/C going for long times, and drove off with no issues.

I would perhaps go with #2, but would still strongly suggest it get taken to the shop for a diagnosis.

 

[Mark S.]

I've never experienced item #1. I live in Florida, and we get what I call "Africa hot" days were the outside temps hit 98 degrees, with a heat index and humidity levels over 100. I've idled in parking lots with the A/C going for long times, and drove off with no issues.

I would perhaps go with #2, but would still strongly suggest it get taken to the shop for a diagnosis.

@Nam3 is in Arizona, so depending on the city they are also dealing with altitude. The turbo works a lot harder at altitude, and the less dense air at altitude is less effective at cooling. Heat soaking + altitude is among the toughest conditions for a turbocharged engine.

 

[davidg4781]

#1 sounds most likely my problem and I'll test it when I get to empty. I am actually able to put my foot to the floor for 2 seconds before anything happens so it can't be #2. And it's been going on since I bought the vehicle back in 21 so it's not likely #3.

What mode are you in when you’re seeing the 2 second hesitation? Normal or Eco? Do you have brake hold on?

I just tried that out with my Big Bend. Normal, brake hold off. As soon as I took my foot off the brake it started moving forward. Once I gave it some gas it took off. I have some 5 gallon water bottles in the back that I forgot about and they slid around so I stopped the experiment but overall it felt pretty responsive.

 

[wiyeti]

You got a bad batch of regular gas. Pump gas octane can vary a bit, especially in areas where the government mandates different formulations for winter vs summer. It's possible the station you purchased your fuel from wasn't supplying 87 octane fuel. The best way to be sure you get good gas is to buy from a top tier supplier. This link lists retailers that sell top-tier gas.

Sidebar, but is Top Tier more readily available? Stations near me in Wisconsin stopped selling it and took the stickers down. Apparently there was difficulty getting the necessary detergents. I always tried to fill with Top Tier.

 

[Mark S.]

#1 sounds most likely my problem and I'll test it when I get to empty. I am actually able to put my foot to the floor for 2 seconds before anything happens so it can't be #2. And it's been going on since I bought the vehicle back in 21 so it's not likely #3.

Now the second question is why would mine get heatsoaked so bad when others are not. I'm sure driving 90 doesn't help. But the thermostat never shows any signs of heating up so I feel like I have a faulty sensor or something that's telling it it's worse than it actually is and limiting the responce.

Ahhh, 90 mph. I assumed you were having issues in traffic. These are not very aerodynamic vehicles, and the faster you drive the more power you need. As noted on another thread, the amount of power quadruples when you double your speed. Early EcoBoost Mustangs (2.3L engine) were electronically limited to ~125 mph unless you opted for the track pack. The track pack was a factory addon that included improved suspension, tires, and--most importantly--a larger primary heat exchanger for engine coolant. According to Dave Pericak (lead engineer for the S550 Mustang) the speed limit was to prevent engine overheating. The top speed for track pack-equipped EcoBoost Mustangs with the larger radiator is close to 150 mph.

All of that is to say it's very likely you are experiencing PCM intervention if you are driving for prolonged periods at 90 mph. If you refuel with regular to do some testing try keeping the speed under 70 mph for your cooling runs. That should provide good airflow through the radiator and intercooler without requiring boost.

Alternatively, skip the testing and keep using premium. I believe prolonged driving at 90 mph--especially in hot weather at altitude where the turbo is working harder and the lower density air is not as effective at cooling--is one of those situations described in the manual where you need the "best overall performance" afforded by premium.

 

[davidg4781]

It can happen in any mode but I always use sport, with brake hold on and start stop is off. I also have a Pedal Commander installed for an even more sensitive pedal. I originally thought the pedal commander fixed my issue until it started getting hot here in AZ and it started happening again. I've been using premium for a few weeks now and the problem is completely gone. I can use regular just fine until the temps get above 80ish then the problem comes back.

Have you tried it without brake hold? I've noticed mine has a little hesitation when I have brake hold on, backing out of my drive way while going to work, then spinning it into D.

Sidebar, but is Top Tier more readily available? Stations near me in Wisconsin stopped selling it and took the stickers down. Apparently there was difficulty getting the necessary detergents. I always tried to fill with Top Tier.

There are about 6 locations in my small town. 3 Valero and 3 Shell.

 

[jamaicandave]

It’s pretty bad, if I get a good run at the hill, I don’t have any issues, but if I have to start on the hill, it barely moves. And I was in a precarious situation, having a back up a hill, and I had it pinned, and it did not even move 1 inch.

If you are flooring it and not moving up a hill that's not normal. This sounds silly but are you inadvertently touching the brake pedal? "Brake over acceleration strategy" could prevent movement.

 

[srmulhaney]

If you are flooring it and not moving up a hill that's not normal. This sounds silly but are you inadvertently touching the brake pedal? "Brake over acceleration strategy" could prevent movement.

Turns out it was an engine code and it was in protection mode - huge difference now!! All fixed!!

 

[ohiooutdoors]

It’s pretty bad, if I get a good run at the hill, I don’t have any issues, but if I have to start on the hill, it barely moves. And I was in a precarious situation, having a back up a hill, and I had it pinned, and it did not even move 1 inch.

I’ve taken my bronco sport on some steep mountain incline on gravel, mud, snow and dry pavement when going on hiking trips.

I put it in low when starting on a hill and typically keep it in sport mode (ironically it gets the best mileage in sport)

 

[Sleddog]

I’ve been over Le Veta pass (9500 feet) and Red Hill Pass (10051 feet) a bunch of times here in Colorado. Average speed about 70. Except in the tight turns. No issues at all. This is with 87 octane, mid grade here in CO.

 

[ChadG]

I have the 1.5, use only 87 octane regular, and live in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I also have a Lincoln Corsair with the 2.0 Which also uses regular. Both easily handle the mountains I regularly encounter. The 2.0 is definitely more powerful, but the 1.5 gets the job done and gets 4 to 5 more mpg while doing it.

 

[NMhunter]

Thanks for letting us know you got it fixed.

 

[SgtT11B]

Turns out it was an engine code and it was in protection mode - huge difference now!! All fixed!!

Excellent, Sherri do you know what the code was?


Thanks
Dave

 

[Jamie]

I have a new 2023 Bronco Sport 1.5 liter 3 cylinder turbo. So far this has only happened when I need power on an incline, and when I press on the gas, the car seems to go into limp mode. The RPM’s don’t increase and I can’t get over 3-5mph. On even surface or downhill, I have no issues. Could this be a turbo or RPM sensor? Appreciate any insight before I take t in.

What mode do you have it in. Goat mode?

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