MIC Hardtop Delamination Issue now covered in General Service Bulletin -- Bronco Roof Concern Analysis -- 7/29/25 Update

[Umichigan1]

Dang. Should've just made a heavier fiberglass or plastic top and been done with it. The honeycomb cardboard thing was a bad idea. "Molded in Color" is sort of a joke, because the outer colored part is paper thin. A deep gouge and it's toast. And evidently it's prone to delaminating.

The design is sound (believe it or not). The trouble lies in the manufacturing and quality control. Composite designs are inherently difficult to manufacture. Maintaining the proper quality control of composites is more expensive than other types of QC. Neither of these attributes bode well for any automotive application. Ford probably had many learned lessons from past Bronco production but I'll bet you that none of those engineers are around anymore, just a much relatively younger set of engineers that believe only they can come up with a universal and patentable solution. Composite manufacturing is relatively unchanged in the last 80 years and you'd think that knowledge would more useful with modern technology to support it. It really doesn't. No one has really figured out a way to fundamentally change the nature of composites in ways that will reduce cost, reduce scrap, enhance durability, etc. I have a background in aerospace composites with Boeing, Sigorsky, Airbus and others. Trust me when I say that the automotive industry will never find a way to make composites cost effective. As long as this is true, you'll never see composites being applied to high volume parts.

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[Atthelake152]

Pretty impressive there aren’t lawsuits about this. I saw one with bed liner on it… maybe that’s the move if out of warranty?

There’s one attempting class action.

 

[J-Lugster]

There’s one attempting class action.

Ya it is in the early stages from what I understand.

https://classlawdc.com/2025/07/03/2021-2024-ford-bronco-leaking-cracked-roof-class-action-investigation/#:~:text=The%20law%20firm%20of%20Migliaccio,TSB%20issued%20for%20this%20vehicle

 

[Valhalla]

Ya it is in the early stages from what I understand.

https://classlawdc.com/2025/07/03/2021-2024-ford-bronco-leaking-cracked-roof-class-action-investigation/#:~:text=The%20law%20firm%20of%20Migliaccio,TSB%20issued%20for%20this%20vehicle

So, I read that, it does not sound like that is dealing with the MIC top issues described here but rather a clip/fastener issue causing leaks at the windshield.

 

[archerscreek]

@Ducati1098

Thanks again for this resource.

I am sure the answer is no, but worth asking anyway to confirm. I assume Ford is still not willing to allow MIC customers to pay a few extra thousand dollars to "upgrade" to a painted hardtop when their MIC top fails under warranty?

I looked at 2 door Broncos at 2 different dealers this week. I asked them this question: “If I bought a Bronco with the MIC top and wanted to order a painted top, could I do that.” Both said that I could. The first one had to check with his parts department first. And after doing so the parts dept said that I could order a “painted top”. The second dealer also said it can be done but it’s a bit of a hassle to get one and said it’s “pretty pricey.“ I did not get a firm price from either.

 

[Ducati1098]

I looked at 2 door Broncos at 2 different dealers this week. I asked them this question: “If I bought a Bronco with the MIC top and wanted to order a painted top, could I do that.” Both said that I could. The first one had to check with his parts department first. And after doing so the parts dept said that I could order a “painted top”. The second dealer also said it can be done but it’s a bit of a hassle to get one and said it’s “pretty pricey.“ I did not get a firm price from either.

Sure you can order one or buy it from any dealership, but that wasn’t the original question.

Ford will not warranty, or swap your MIC top for a painted top under warranty if something goes wrong with the MIC top.

Also even if you want to order one, last time I checked the painted top was close to $10k and that’s before paint (because they don’t come painted)

 

[michelle227]

Also even if you want to order one, last time I checked the painted top was close to $10k and that’s before paint (because they don’t come painted)

Holy bat guano Batman!

I have expected $4K or so plus costs to have a good shop do the paintwork. Definitely a far cry from the NA Miata hardtop replacements...

 

[J-Lugster]

So, I read that, it does not sound like that is dealing with the MIC top issues described here but rather a clip/fastener issue causing leaks at the windshield.

The narrative also mentions the cracking roof which translates to me to exactly what we are seeing on the MIC roof panels.

My guess is the law firm has cast a wide net and by the time they are done they will realize that the MIC top delamination, rippling and cracking issues are happening so frequently that pursuing that avenue will be worthwhile for them.

For the owners like us I'm not sure it will be very significant for us except if in the judgement there is a call to rectify the issue and make the owners whole again.

Judgements which have a call to action as well as a financial award are best because the law firms eat up 95% of the awarded sums.

What also helps our case is that it is now 2026 and the issues from 2021 still persist.

With a viable option available in the painted hardtops (both colour matched and black) it is amazing to me that Ford's big heads have not just dumped the Webasto MIC hardtops altogether for any new Bronco being built.

 

[huey]

Sure you can order one or buy it from any dealership, but that wasn’t the original question.

Ford will not warranty, or swap your MIC top for a painted top under warranty if something goes wrong with the MIC top.

Also even if you want to order one, last time I checked the painted top was close to $10k and that’s before paint (because they don’t come painted)

dammm not paying 10k for a painted top. Also not going thru replacing my MIC top for 12k which is what the dealer quoted lol. These prices are so unrealistic

 

[Atthelake152]

dammm not paying 10k for a painted top. Also not going thru replacing my MIC top for 12k which is what the dealer quoted lol. These prices are so unrealistic

$12k? You can order through Ford Performance for $5,500 and they ship to the dealer free if you pay the extra $350 install fee. Still very expensive it not anywhere near those quotes.

 

[huey]

$12k? You can order through Ford Performance for $5,500 and they ship to the dealer free if you pay the extra $350 install fee. Still very expensive it not anywhere near those quotes.

yup- that's what i told everyone at the dealership from service guy up to the gm. Then I told Ford the same thing lol

 

[MachingBird]

$12k? You can order through Ford Performance for $5,500 and they ship to the dealer free if you pay the extra $350 install fee. Still very expensive it not anywhere near those quotes.

That’s the price for the “painted top”??? Not the “MIC top”…?
I have never seen the painted top in the Ford accessories catalog yet. If you have, please post the link.

dammm not paying 10k for a painted top. Also not going thru replacing my MIC top for 12k which is what the dealer quoted lol. These prices are so unrealistic

it doesn’t seem to me like they really want to sell any of them at those prices.

 

[swamp2]

The design is sound (believe it or not). The trouble lies in the manufacturing and quality control. Composite designs are inherently difficult to manufacture. Maintaining the proper quality control of composites is more expensive than other types of QC. Neither of these attributes bode well for any automotive application. Ford probably had many learned lessons from past Bronco production but I'll bet you that none of those engineers are around anymore, just a much relatively younger set of engineers that believe only they can come up with a universal and patentable solution. Composite manufacturing is relatively unchanged in the last 80 years and you'd think that knowledge would more useful with modern technology to support it. It really doesn't. No one has really figured out a way to fundamentally change the nature of composites in ways that will reduce cost, reduce scrap, enhance durability, etc. I have a background in aerospace composites with Boeing, Sigorsky, Airbus and others. Trust me when I say that the automotive industry will never find a way to make composites cost effective. As long as this is true, you'll never see composites being applied to high volume parts.

Well, where to begin? You're just wrong here on so many points.

Do you realize how many composites are in regular production across a true plethora of industries? They are delivering on their promises of better properties, lower costs and improvements in manufacturing.

They are all over the automotive industry in structural, body, cosmetic and underhood environments. Porsche (and others) are even making carbon fiber wheels (see this short but very cool video), which indeed took some considerable innovations. How about carbon ceramic brake rotors those are absolutely innovative and have only been around for 25 years (another great video on this here). They are also widespread in aviation, space, defense, transportation, marine, sectors of energy, sporting goods and construction. This simply was not the case 80 years ago, let alone 30.

Obviously, as it's pretty well evident by it's very nature, composites are growing due to steady incremental advances in all of their relevant characteristics, properties and performance, cost, durability, environmental compatability and manufacturing.

Although I also suspect more of the problems with the MIC top may indeed be in manufacturing rather than design, you absolutely do not know that.

As only one very small counterexample take the, very similar to the MIC top, Jeep hardtop. It doesn't seem to have a fraction of the problems that the Bronco MIC top does. Ford either chose the wrong supplier (Webssto), gave them a not achieveable cost target (and they were foolish enough to engage) or are simply willing to ignore the problem as it will cost more to fix than they are losing on it today and have estimated out into the future.

Ard you aware of how many vehicles now have successfully implemented SMC (a type of composite material and processing technology) body panels? Why - obvious - durable, light and affordable.

Anyway, I'm happy to continue to counter your, honestly, ridiculous claim the the entire composites industry has been devoid of innovation for 80 years with a huge range of diverse and significant achievements.

Man, even AI could have constructed a more accurate post than yours...

 

[Umichigan1]

Anyway, I'm happy to continue to counter your, honestly, ridiculous claim the the entire composites industry has been devoid of innovation for 80 years with a huge range of diverse and significant achievements.

Man, even AI could have constructed a more accurate post than yours...

My experience comes from years spent in the composite design industry. Yours seems to come from watching someone's videos. I have neither the time nor the crayons to explain my somewhat complicated position to someone who wears their ignorance so proudly and arrogantly. Your tirade reminds me of the saying, "it is better ro remain silent and be thought an idiot, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."

 

[swamp2]

My experience comes from years spent in the composite design industry. Yours seems to come from watching someone's videos. I have neither the time nor the crayons to explain my somewhat complicated position to someone who wears their ignorance so proudly and arrogantly. Your tirade reminds me of the saying, "it is better ro remain silent and be thought an idiot, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."

Resort to ad hominem - just exudes confidence and maturity. The insults don't help.

"I won't engage with you because you're too far below me", more confidence.

Your job does not make you smart nor right. Overconfidence.

Your individual experience doesn't control the truth about a massive and complex global industrial sector.

I too worked in an adjacent industry very intimately involved in composites and was able to work with leaders in R&D in composites and folks making them work in real applications.

When you're mature and respectful enough to actually engage and discuss like the educated adult you are pretending to be, let's do so. Until then you're just another nobody with an opinion.

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