Sponsored

UGH! MIC Top cracking

CrystalRedTintCoat

Wildtrak
Well-Known Member
First Name
BertJ
Joined
Nov 14, 2022
Threads
16
Messages
297
Reaction score
273
Location
Bay Area
Vehicle(s)
‘22 Bronco Wildtrak; ‘13 Camaro 1LE
Your Bronco Model
Wildtrak
What is the root cause of the cracking? I have to believe Ford has done an ishikawa analysis and determined this. Is it cold weather? Hot weather? Something else?
Sponsored

 

contented

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Karl
Joined
Nov 26, 2021
Threads
28
Messages
720
Reaction score
1,664
Location
Central Fl
Vehicle(s)
BMW M2 Competition
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
There’s such a wide variation between those who’ve never had a problem and those who’ve had several tops replaced. From following these threads, it seems to me there’s no correlation between failures and roof racks, roof top tents, frequent on/off, temperature variance or severity of off-road use. That takes me to manufacturing. Is it a good design with poor quality control at the factory? Or is it a design that is simply too susceptible to minor variations in the build process Or just too difficult to get right? Whatever it is, it’s discouraging Ford can’t get a grip on it. But what do I know. This isn’t my area of expertise.

I bought one of the tops offered by invitation in June. 13k miles later, all is still well. Maybe I better start knocking on wood. 😊
 

BAUS67

Base
Well-Known Member
First Name
redneck
Joined
Jan 3, 2020
Threads
25
Messages
5,418
Reaction score
17,158
Location
Central PA
Vehicle(s)
88 5.0 LX, 08 F-150 Stepside, 22 Expl Timberline
Your Bronco Model
Base
Clubs
 
take it in!

I plan on doing just that. I had to stop by the dealer for my work one day and caught the salesman and he asked how's the Bronco?? To which I replied good other than the top.
 

BAUS67

Base
Well-Known Member
First Name
redneck
Joined
Jan 3, 2020
Threads
25
Messages
5,418
Reaction score
17,158
Location
Central PA
Vehicle(s)
88 5.0 LX, 08 F-150 Stepside, 22 Expl Timberline
Your Bronco Model
Base
Clubs
 
There’s such a wide variation between those who’ve never had a problem and those who’ve had several tops replaced. From following these threads, it seems to me there’s no correlation between failures and roof racks, roof top tents, frequent on/off, temperature variance or severity of off-road use. That takes me to manufacturing. Is it a good design with poor quality control at the factory? Or is it a design that is simply too susceptible to minor variations in the build process Or just too difficult to get right? Whatever it is, it’s discouraging Ford can’t get a grip on it. But what do I know. This isn’t my area of expertise.

I bought one of the tops offered by invitation in June. 13k miles later, all is still well. Maybe I better start knocking on wood. 😊

I agree, no rhyme or reason. I have 8K on the ticker. Top never been off. Hand washed every time with just soap and water. I think it is just manufacturing flaws. and they do not rear their ugly head until the top has had time to "cure" completely. I think sometimes that outer layer just is not thick enough.

I recall the first issues were that the edges would split apart, among other things, well, all my edges are solid, no sign of any issue. That is why I think they do not get the resin thick enough in the middle of the panels. The passenger side only has a few cracks near the leading edge of the window and none along the top. Those cracks appeared at the same time the driver's side, and they have not gotten any worse. Where the driver's side has exploded over the last few months.
 

Derby

Big Bend
Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2021
Threads
3
Messages
50
Reaction score
59
Location
Michigan
Vehicle(s)
Ford
Your Bronco Model
Big Bend
Earlier I tried some 303 Aerospace Protectant on my Bronco flare to good effect. Maybe I'll try some around the small cracking area of my hardtop. If I can keep any water from wicking into the cracks, that could go a long way towards avoiding rot/freeze damage.
I wouldn't put anything on it, it may void the warranty.
 

Sponsored
OP
OP
Acadist

Acadist

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Dave
Joined
Jul 22, 2021
Threads
38
Messages
370
Reaction score
860
Location
WA
Vehicle(s)
2023 BadSquatch
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
I wouldn't put anything on it, it may void the warranty.
Just took my rack off prior to taking it in for inspection, it has been in for oil changes with the rack on and they didn’t say anything. My cracks were on the back between the hinges for the glass. I believe it’s from the stress of opening/closing the window. I recommend getting a case number from Ford prior to having it inspected.
 

Derby

Big Bend
Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2021
Threads
3
Messages
50
Reaction score
59
Location
Michigan
Vehicle(s)
Ford
Your Bronco Model
Big Bend
Just took my rack off prior to taking it in for inspection, it has been in for oil changes with the rack on and they didn’t say anything. My cracks were on the back between the hinges for the glass. I believe it’s from the stress of opening/closing the window. I recommend getting a case number from Ford prior to having it inspected.
I took mine in with the roof rack on, lol I didn't realize it was an issue. I had to loan the mechanic the torque wrench that came with the rack for them to remove. They didn't say anything about the rack.
I am now worried that the minor separation and fraying that led to the replacement will lead to a cracked top. @34k now on a 5/22 build.
 

indio22

Base
Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2019
Threads
17
Messages
5,311
Reaction score
11,100
Location
Chicagoland, USA
Vehicle(s)
'72 Rover, '85 CJ7, '98 TJ, '14 BRZ, '23 Bronco
Your Bronco Model
Base
I wouldn't put anything on it, it may void the warranty.
I hear yah, and I'm not talking any type of visible top coating. Mainly just something mild to wipe on and off, so that none would be left on the actual top surface, but some would remain in the small cracks, to act against possible water ingress.
 

phillyfx4

Outer Banks
Well-Known Member
First Name
Rich
Joined
Jun 3, 2016
Threads
33
Messages
390
Reaction score
521
Location
Phila., PA
Vehicle(s)
2008 F 150 4X4
Your Bronco Model
Outer Banks
new here.....just ordered a 2025 with the hardtop, does anyone treat their hardtops to help with cracking ? I so what are my options ? sincerely and thanks for the suggestions ! :beer:
 

Sponsored

J-Lugster

Wildtrak
Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2024
Threads
16
Messages
327
Reaction score
339
Location
Ancaster, Ontario
Vehicle(s)
2024 Ford Bronco Wildtrak 4Dr Oxford White
Your Bronco Model
Wildtrak

Ape Factory

Raptor
Well-Known Member
First Name
Michel
Joined
Nov 17, 2024
Threads
13
Messages
490
Reaction score
488
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
Audi RS5/Ford F150/Infiniti QX70S
Your Bronco Model
Raptor
Clubs
 
Thanks to the forum, I became aware of the MIC hard top issues. Looked at four used Broncos on the lot and all had, at the very least, a wavy top where it was starting to bubble. Almost all were in the rear section.

Someone asked earlier and no one answered but if the painted hard tops are not having the same issue, I'd push to have Ford replace it with one of those, especially if you've been back more than once for a replacement top. Hell, I might even pay the difference (at Ford's cost, not retail), just to avoid the hassle even though we shouldn't have to.
 

Dude1967

Well-Known Member
First Name
Billy
Joined
Sep 11, 2022
Threads
3
Messages
426
Reaction score
650
Location
Florida
Vehicle(s)
2025 Ford F150 Tremor
Your Bronco Model
Undecided
Clubs
 
Ford where you at? We have questions....
 

PetePerkins

Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
First Name
Pete
Joined
May 29, 2024
Threads
18
Messages
201
Reaction score
312
Location
TN
Vehicle(s)
2024 Black Diamond
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
'24 Bronco here. Purchase in March. Checked my top yesterday 12/03/2024 and confirmed that there are visible waves on the removable panels and a crack at the panel just under the side rear glass. I also posted on the other new thread. I have 18k miles on my truck amd will more than likely wait it out another 10k miles or so before bringing it in. Seems a replacement will not solve the issue. My question is, how bad will it get? Will it eventually completely delaminate and fail? @Ford what's up??

Ford Bronco UGH! MIC Top cracking Screenshot_20241203-203048_Gallery
Sponsored

 
 





Top