Check your hard tops for bubbles!

[jtim47Bronco]

I have a 2022 ford badlands 4 door, 21,000 miles. May 2024 i noticed my real hard top panel had several bubbles. My dealer quickly ordered then replaced my rear panel. 1 month later this replaced rear panel is starting to show bubbles. Just wanted to give other owners a heads-up.
See pictures below first picture is original panel 2nd picture is of the 1 month old replacement panel.

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[Dude1967]

Wow! Not good but common. The part I dont understand why Ford just cant make a top like the 5G or the Jeeps. I am on my 4th top due to cracks and delamination

 

[Toccoa]

Cardboard is gonna do what wet cardboard does on most of these eventually.

As @Dude1967 alluded to, fiberglass and foam is a tried and true method for removable tops. As long as you’re not ADV.

 

[Black_Stallion13]

The only real solution is sell it for $6,000+ on FB marketplace while you still can and rid yourself of the inevitable. Once this starts happening to every top over the next couple years they won’t be worth anything at that point.

 

[2023bronco]

I believed that all MIC tops are destined for delamination and cracking. Mine started to spiderweb around the windows and now the roof is bubbling. It is at the dealership now.

There is another thread where somebody went to several dealerships and took photos. Every single Bronco on every lot had the cracking around the windows.

Mark my words. We are seeing the tip of the iceberg.

(76) Hardtop cracks? Something else? | Bronco6G - 2021+ Ford Bronco & Bronco Raptor Forum, News, Blog & Owners Community

 

[GeoBig]

Just checked mine -- 2023 with ~4000 miles -- still looks brand new.

 

[stampede1]

What do you wash it with and what coatings, detailing products or substances does it get subjected to?

 

[Hoss360]

Line-X'd 2 years ago... no issues yet

 

[heavyD]

Wow! Not good but common. The part I dont understand why Ford just cant make a top like the 5G or the Jeeps. I am on my 4th top due to cracks and delamination

They can. They have chosen to use hard tops at a price point that makes it nearly impossible for manufacturers to provide a quality product. Manufacturing hardtops is not rocket science and it's all about price point. Ford is getting exactly what they pay for but clearly that's at odds with consumers who aren't getting tops befitting of the prices they paid for their new Broncos.

 

[1979]

I think mine is starting to do this as well. Has anybody received a replacement with the headliner installed? I seem to remember seeing the newer headliners and them looking terrible.

 

[Overcooked]

2023 with 4000 miles and it's absolutely fine. I don't wash it too often though, maybe that helped lol

 

[Mikey D]

Old news. I wrapped mine and will probably paint. Probably the worst quality part on the Bronco. Sad @Ford Motor Company

(76) UPDATE #2 Hard Top Buckling Normal or Warranty? | Bronco6G - 2021+ Ford Bronco & Bronco Raptor Forum, News, Blog & Owners Community

 

[f18f_guy]

I have a 2021 OBX. Dealership has replaced all panels except for the rear. The middle panel was different color and the two front both delaminated and let water in (at least at the same time). The headliners look fine. However, having the “noise deadening” headliners took them 2 weeks to complete because they sub that out. That said, I’m overall very happy with my Bronco.

 

[Rydfree]

Cardboard is gonna do what wet cardboard does on most of these eventually.

As @Dude1967 alluded to, fiberglass and foam is a tried and true method for removable tops. As long as you’re not ADV.

I have 2 toppers from my 1990 and 91 Rangers that are made with the resin coated honeycomb cardboard. The one I still drive with 320,000 miles is still fine. Never seen a garage in its life and only recently has it been under an open shed. The one that failed finally did so after getting cracks in the top from just sitting in a field not being driven, washed or otherwise taken care of after a total of 29years. It's not the fact that it has a cardboard core. Many brands of bed toppers do. As someone said, Ford is just attempting to make them thinner and lighter to a failure point.

 

[2023bronco]

What do you wash it with and what coatings, detailing products or substances does it get subjected to?

H20, O2, Sunlight, Moonlight, and Gravity are too much for the MIC top to handle.

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