Oct 02, 2025
I've been on an interesting journey with my Bronco. It's been a ton of fun to drive and the smile factor is real, but I've had some issues related to the hard tops leaking and in my case, its been across three different Broncos. I shared this over on Bronco6G, but thought I would share it here as well.
I first bought a 2024 Wildtrak and as I was taking delivery, washed and ready to go, I felt a good amount of water on my lap. Dealer said it was just water left over from the wash that ran down as I opened the door. I was skeptical, but took delivery. Wanting to be sure, I washed the Bronco the next day and found water leaks in both front and passenger sides, soaking the seats. I took it back and the dealer's service department determined it needed to be taken to the body shop for "straightening". To the dealer's credit, they said it shouldn't be my problem and gave me an identical replacement 2024 WildTrak. I thought all was well and asked them, just to be sure, to wash the heck out of the roof and be sure no leaks. They did, said all was good, I came to pick it up (it was dry by then) and I took it home. Washed this second WildTrak myself and... no wet front seats, but quite a bit of water in the cargo area. Took it back to the dealer and they said they had seen this a lot and the factory said a new roof was required, so they ordered a new roof. They replaced the top and I took it home, washed it (again, garden hose, no high pressure) and it now leaked in the same place, but over the front passenger side. The dealer then explained that the new 2025's had a new top design but the only way to get one, was to buy a new Bronco.
I actually love the look and driving experience of the Bronco enough that if a move to a 2025 solved my roof issues and gave me features I liked, I was willing to take the loss. Thankfully the Bronco held its value well enough so this wasn't too terrible. So, I traded in the 2024 (with about 1,500 miles on it) in for the 2025 Sas Badlands with Hoss 3 and the new painted hard top (the version that's white on the inside). I washed it heavily and no leaks! ...until now. With 500 miles on the odometer, it was left out in the rain... and the front passenger seat is wet. The leak is coming from the top of the A pillar where the airbag cover seam mates with the top of the door frame plastic cover, just as I saw in the first two Broncos. I had never taken the roof panels off, so I don't know what changed, but here we go again...
It’s now back at the dealership for this leak. What in the world is going on? For the record, I don't use a power washer. I don't use high pressure, just a garden hose, though even if I did, one would think it would be okay to use those. The rain was a good summer soaking, so it rained quite a bit. But my god, I should be able to take a $70k vehicle in the rain and not get wet. I know a lot of guys will talk about how its an offroad vehicle and not to worry about it, but I just can't do that. Especially with wanting to take trips and not have my wife complain about needing an umbrella to go with me. It's just nuts. That's /three/ Broncos in a row that leak. Two with the MIC tops and one with the new white fiberglass (I assume based on the resin smell) version.
What gives? The dealer has looked at everything from seals, to panel alignment to a new top. I can't believe my luck on this. Has anyone else experienced this and perhaps know what's going on? The dealer has had my 2025 now for over a week with no update, but I'm very curious what they will be telling me this time. I'll post back here once they get back to me.
R
I first bought a 2024 Wildtrak and as I was taking delivery, washed and ready to go, I felt a good amount of water on my lap. Dealer said it was just water left over from the wash that ran down as I opened the door. I was skeptical, but took delivery. Wanting to be sure, I washed the Bronco the next day and found water leaks in both front and passenger sides, soaking the seats. I took it back and the dealer's service department determined it needed to be taken to the body shop for "straightening". To the dealer's credit, they said it shouldn't be my problem and gave me an identical replacement 2024 WildTrak. I thought all was well and asked them, just to be sure, to wash the heck out of the roof and be sure no leaks. They did, said all was good, I came to pick it up (it was dry by then) and I took it home. Washed this second WildTrak myself and... no wet front seats, but quite a bit of water in the cargo area. Took it back to the dealer and they said they had seen this a lot and the factory said a new roof was required, so they ordered a new roof. They replaced the top and I took it home, washed it (again, garden hose, no high pressure) and it now leaked in the same place, but over the front passenger side. The dealer then explained that the new 2025's had a new top design but the only way to get one, was to buy a new Bronco.
I actually love the look and driving experience of the Bronco enough that if a move to a 2025 solved my roof issues and gave me features I liked, I was willing to take the loss. Thankfully the Bronco held its value well enough so this wasn't too terrible. So, I traded in the 2024 (with about 1,500 miles on it) in for the 2025 Sas Badlands with Hoss 3 and the new painted hard top (the version that's white on the inside). I washed it heavily and no leaks! ...until now. With 500 miles on the odometer, it was left out in the rain... and the front passenger seat is wet. The leak is coming from the top of the A pillar where the airbag cover seam mates with the top of the door frame plastic cover, just as I saw in the first two Broncos. I had never taken the roof panels off, so I don't know what changed, but here we go again...
It’s now back at the dealership for this leak. What in the world is going on? For the record, I don't use a power washer. I don't use high pressure, just a garden hose, though even if I did, one would think it would be okay to use those. The rain was a good summer soaking, so it rained quite a bit. But my god, I should be able to take a $70k vehicle in the rain and not get wet. I know a lot of guys will talk about how its an offroad vehicle and not to worry about it, but I just can't do that. Especially with wanting to take trips and not have my wife complain about needing an umbrella to go with me. It's just nuts. That's /three/ Broncos in a row that leak. Two with the MIC tops and one with the new white fiberglass (I assume based on the resin smell) version.
What gives? The dealer has looked at everything from seals, to panel alignment to a new top. I can't believe my luck on this. Has anyone else experienced this and perhaps know what's going on? The dealer has had my 2025 now for over a week with no update, but I'm very curious what they will be telling me this time. I'll post back here once they get back to me.
R
Jeff Ross, Deano Bronc