Bronco reliability

[PetePerkins]

15 months 28k miles no real issues

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[bellboyfab]

60k on my black diamond and no reliability issues. A few screen freezes hear and there but nothing to raise a fuss about once you know how to reset the screen. Done multiple trails and multiple 12+ hour drives in it including from Los Angeles, Ca to Columbia, Maryland and back solo with not a single issue on that trip. 2.3L 7MT

 

[Bugkillah]

About to drive from east coast to Texas and back for off-roadeo, not worried.

 

[BroncoChallenger]

Not going to read through everything, but like all vehicles there WILL be some problems that get reported - and usually those are what you hear about.

If you were on the Super Duty forums, you would think you'd never want a 6.7 PSD because every CP4 pump will die. That's far from the truth, it is just one of the things that have gotten a lot of visibility.

If you were on the Ram forums, you would hear about a bolt that can come loose in the intake for the grid heater, that can wipe out the turbo. It has a failure rate somewhere less than 1%, but it keeps getting brought up. You would also hear about how the 6.4 Hemi has lifters that will fail and wipe out the cam...but again, that has a failure rate of something like 1%.

All mass-produced vehicles will have some failures, because for most companies the success rate needs to be 95% or better. That means 5% will have major issues. I think more companies are actually targeting 99% now, but it's a target and they don't always reach it.

Buy the thing and drive it. The chances that you'll get a lemon are REALLY low. Sure, you might have a few issues, but nothing that should keep you from enjoying it.

 

[4x4fun]

22 Big Bend. 82k in 3 years. Only issue I had was on delivery I had a bad transfer case module tbat would allow me to switch out of 4x4. The issue got escalated to ford corporate due to the part being on back order, they approved the part to be sent from Canada. A 3 month hassle but it got taken care of.

 

[mpeugeot]

It's junk!

I have 113k miles on my 2021 2-door and I have had to do at least 24 oil changes! I drive it both on and off-road.

I have been told time and time again that you never buy a 1st year new production vehicle... Did I listen, no.

It's never left me stranded, never failed to start, and even the few things that have been a problem are minor in the grand scheme of things.

Seriously, it's a great vehicle, most everything that has been a concern has been either subject to a recall (with less than a day of shop time, at my convenience) or has been covered under warranty. The notable exception being a crack in the hardtop mounting surface that hasn't impacted the functionality, but is annoying in that it exists.

There are some weak spots in the vehicle, but nothing I would consider a show stopper as far as recommending it for purchase.

Some of the biggest concerns:

Wind noise (this can be fixed, some Broncos are much better than others)
Bilstein HOSS 2.0 shock reservoirs (in severe corrosion environments)
Light duty Steering rack/tie rods
MIC hard tops (cracks/noise)
Fuel pump (higher than normal infant mortality)
360 and rear camera reliability
Factory battery (some prone to early failure)

There are other things that can and do go wrong, but those seem to be the most common. Reducing wind noise in my Bronco took a fair bit of work, but it's acceptable now. I had another Bronco which was the same spec essentially and it didn't have significant wind noise problems (there's a certain amount of noise that's just the nature of the vehicle, but it is not obnoxious).

One major issue was the safety of flat-towing the Bronco. Some people have seen failures which resulted in a smoked transmission. Not sure I would pick a Bronco for flat towing given the reported issues. I have flat towed mine successfully, but maybe I was lucky.

 

[[DELETED MEMBER 27901]]

It's junk!

I have 113k miles on my 2021 2-door and I have had to do at least 24 oil changes! I drive it both on and off-road.

I have been told time and time again that you never buy a 1st year new production vehicle... Did I listen, no.

It's never left me stranded, never failed to start, and even the few things that have been a problem are minor in the grand scheme of things.

Seriously, it's a great vehicle, most everything that has been a concern has been either subject to a recall (with less than a day of shop time, at my convenience) or has been covered under warranty. The notable exception being a crack in the hardtop mounting surface that hasn't impacted the functionality, but is annoying in that it exists.

There are some weak spots in the vehicle, but nothing I would consider a show stopper as far as recommending it for purchase.

Some of the biggest concerns:

Wind noise (this can be fixed, some Broncos are much better than others)
Bilstein HOSS 2.0 shock reservoirs (in severe corrosion environments)
Light duty Steering rack/tie rods
MIC hard tops (cracks/noise)
Fuel pump (higher than normal infant mortality)
360 and rear camera reliability
Factory battery (some prone to early failure)

There are other things that can and do go wrong, but those seem to be the most common. Reducing wind noise in my Bronco took a fair bit of work, but it's acceptable now. I had another Bronco which was the same spec essentially and it didn't have significant wind noise problems (there's a certain amount of noise that's just the nature of the vehicle, but it is not obnoxious).

One major issue was the safety of flat-towing the Bronco. Some people have seen failures which resulted in a smoked transmission. Not sure I would pick a Bronco for flat towing given the reported issues. I have flat towed mine successfully, but maybe I was lucky.

The guy who cracked a tie rod in his driveway is a hall of fame B6G thread

I had the DOA factory battery replaced in the first 3 months. Otherwise, mechanically, everything is fine.

Carplay never worked better than the day I brought it home though. Seems like every software update fixes something and breaks another.

 

[Mako]

Hi everybody,

I know it is not the best place to ask that kind of question, but what do you think about your bronco reliability?

Is received mine in two weeks.

I was supposed to buy a 4Runner 2025 but because it is almost the same as the Tacoma 2024 that I already have, I change my mind for the Bronco big bend with black package 2025 because of the look!

Hope I not going to regret, never drove a Bronco, it is to replace a Cherokee Trailhawk.

I am sure many will tell you their problems, I have not had any, nothing electrical , nothing mechanic. I have a 2023 2 Bronco Badlands Sasquatch with the Lux package . I have added the winch, flawless, I have added tube doors and a bimini top. I take it off-roading , beaches ,rocks, and water crossings. 39000 miles on the factory Goodyear tires . Service the oil and rotate the tires every 5000 miles or so. I had a service done yesterday and all tires still greater than 6mm thread depth. So I wish you luck.

 

[Jwis]

Very happy with 23 WIldtrak with only 2350 miles. Typically trailered for use for trail rides/rock climbing, but occasional drives to front range trails and some around town while home. Bought the 10-year extended warranty primarily for turbos and electronics--but have had no issues with either.
Dittos to Brian on the windows. I see the 2025 windows lower an 1/8 inch when the "smart" door handle is touched--in other parts of the forum I believe that upgrade is not easily installed.
I do have issues with the Lux cruise control intermittently not seeing the car ahead, so I have turned it off and use standard cruise control. In fairness to Ford, I relocated the ACC sensor to behind the grill using Turn Offroad bracket when I installed the winch.

 

[Nc211]

Hi everybody,

I know it is not the best place to ask that kind of question, but what do you think about your bronco reliability?

Is received mine in two weeks.

I was supposed to buy a 4Runner 2025 but because it is almost the same as the Tacoma 2024 that I already have, I change my mind for the Bronco big bend with black package 2025 because of the look!

Hope I not going to regret, never drove a Bronco, it is to replace a Cherokee Trailhawk.

Like others have already said, it's a decent car for sure, but not void of its quirks. That said, show me any vehicle that doesn't have its own quirks.

I'm responding however to your last sentence and the two vehicles that you mention, one being what it is replacing and the other basically being the one you also own. If you're going to compare the Bronco to the 4Runner or Trailhawk, then yes, you will likely be disappointed in certain areas of refinement. It's really not a fair comparison, and I know you're not comparing them, but want to level-set your expectations. It is noisier than the 4runner, and won't be as fast or cushy comfortable as the Trailhawk. It feels like a truck, which is exactly what it is. That being said, if you compare in your mind to a Wrangler, then you will most likely be very happy with it with no regrets. Not knocking the Wrangler with that statement, it too is nice. But when you're used to the Taco and Trailhawk, the extra interior elbow room of the Bronco and front independent suspension will feel more familiar to you.

I came from a glass smooth highway cruiser that was maintained at the OCD level of financial stupidity, my 2014 Mercedes E350 sedan. I have no regrets making the switch to a Bronco, but I also went into it with realistic expectations of what I was getting. I wanted the "jeep experience", and not just another "suv" experience. I figured given how expensive cars have become over the last 5 years, if I'm paying $60k, it needs to do something unique that nearly all others can't duplicate....a 4-door convertible. Go into this with that mindset, and you'll likely LOVE your Bronco!! But if you expect to feel insulated from the road like Toyota's are known for, or cushy like the Trailhawk, then you may be disappointed in the refined "rawness" of the Bronco.

 

[nx40yrs]

My 24 HE has 19k and it only been to the shop for oil changes. No other issues.

 

[Onestepmore]

Hi everybody,

I know it is not the best place to ask that kind of question, but what do you think about your bronco reliability?

Is received mine in two weeks.

I was supposed to buy a 4Runner 2025 but because it is almost the same as the Tacoma 2024 that I already have, I change my mind for the Bronco big bend with black package 2025 because of the look!

Hope I not going to regret, never drove a Bronco, it is to replace a Cherokee Trailhawk.

My 2023 Badlands, 2 door Sasquatch 2.7 has been Great!!! I have 28K on it now and haven't had any issues. I am sure you won't be disappointed. I had an 1985 4 Runner, 2 Jeeps and the Bronco is the best to drive on and off road. I'm a heavy sweep for rally racers and have used the Baja mode which is also great. Be sure and do the Moab class when you get yours...it's Awesome!!!

 

[BigJim1957]

I've owned my 2022 Badlands with the 2.7L V6 and Sasquatch package for three years and at the 14,000 mile mark the fuel pump failed. After two days in the shop, it was back on the road and I now have 22,000 miles on it and haven't had any other issues outside of the pending recall fixes.

 

[broadicustomworks]

Several great and honest options already stated. Not sure what I can add other than a "me too".
I'll hit 70K this weekend.
The few issues due to Ford were repaired under warranty (transfer case output seal and front axle seal and rubber delaminating on a window switch).
All other "issues" were self-inflicted and I had to remedy on my own.
Sometimes due to trying to save a dollar and buying an off-brand "upgrade", sometimes altering factory specs or geometry for achieve one goal to find the tradeoff was worse.
Either way, nothing in a new vehicle is going to have that "It's going to outlast me" quality.
They're utilizing less robust parts, more plastic stuff, more of the toss it vs repair it type of mentality when something does break. A lot of OEMs use the same parts or same vendors for things nowadays.

@Nc211 did a great job summing up that it will more than likely come down to expectation vs reality in anyone's long-term satisfaction. Lemons are out there in every brand. Chances are few and far in between that any specific one will be the one a customer gets.

But if they do, that's what warranties and consumer protection laws are in place for.
Personally I'd put the worries and paved roads behind me and just do what feels right in the end.
These things are a ton of fun to drive and to own.

 

[Bikeric]

2022 Badlands 4cyl manual here with 34,500 miles. I've had to replace the grill and headlights because Ford didn't design them to absorb boulders during a nose-dive. Body panels are easily dented when rock crawling and the paint gets scratched when you drive through tree limbs. It's a good thing mine came with skid-plates because it looks like hell underneath there (must be too low). I've had to install a winch just to pull myself out of situations where I was "stuck on the side of the road". It's also a dirt magnet and impossible to keep clean.

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