Purchasing a new vehicle that needs service miles into ownership is going to frustrate and concern you. After all, you were probably upgrading to avoid repairs and downtime, or, in the case of a Bronco, to go far out into the wild … and come back under your own power. Used buyers need longevity as well, so what does ownership look outside of the factory warranty?
Ford is now five model years into the 6th generation of Bronco. In the years since launch, there have been some issues. Some have been resolved, and some have been addressed but with a wait time. Overall, is the Bronco reliable? What problems should you be aware of and watch for?
Let’s go over some of the Bronco’s known issues, so you can determine if this fun, good-looking, and extremely capable SUV is right for you.
Common Ford Bronco Reliability Issues
Before the 6th gen Bronco was in production, I was covering Bronco news. I’ve taken calls from brand managers on mid-flight adjustments, talked with Ford engineers, driven pre-production models and nearly every trim released, read tens of thousands of forum threads and Facebook posts on the vehicle as well as people’s complaints and concerns, spent hundreds of hours with owners who use their Broncos in all sorts of ways, and have owned two 2021 Broncos myself and off-roaded them and Bronco Nation’s Broncos frequently.
I say all that to tell you I’m a great person to talk about Bronco reliability. Still, in the name of fairness: I’m also talking about it as an easy-to-please person. Before the Bronco, I only owned Jeep Cherokees, a 1989 and a 2000. Pretty much anything could be considered an upgrade in dependability to those loveable rust buckets. The Jeeps had me on a first-name basis with AAA’s roadside assistance, but my used Broncos have been trouble-free.
However, other Bronco owners’ experiences have not been as perfect. Let’s get into why.
Problems with the Bronco
There are a few topics that come up often among owners and potential owners: tops, powertrains, tie rods/steering racks, and various electrical issues. There is validity in much of these, but we also know that human tendency is to voice complaints over compliments. What may seem like an issue for every Bronco out there may be a rare occurrence. That’s not to excuse quality issues; instead, I mention it to remind potential buyers eager to own a Bronco that there’s hope!
Hard tops, specifically the Molded-In-Color (MIC)
The MIC hard top, on all Broncos from 2021-2023 and the majority of others until 2024, is the gray textured roof. The modular hard top, now referred to as the painted top, came with the Heritage Limited and Heritage Edition’s launch for the 2023 model year. For 2025, the painted top is available in Oxford White, Shadow Black, and body color. This top has had very few, if any, concerns with durability so far.
The MIC, on the other hand, has been victim of crazing and delamination.
In August 2021, Ford announced a customer satisfaction program (CSP) that would replace affected tops for owners with a MIC 2.0 version, and to this day, Ford continues to replace MIC tops for customers, at a discounted rate of $2,000 instead of $5,000+ when outside of warranty, some have reported.
I’ve not had an issue with my MICs, not even the 1.0. Neither have I seen issues in person on others’ Broncos since Ford transitioned to the MIC 2.0 and following versions, but some owners report they are on their third or fourth top. Could it be a concern on your Bronco? Yes, it’s something to be aware of and watch for, and you should be able to get a replacement while inside the factory warranty. Should you avoid the MIC top completely due to this concern? In my opinion, no. Inspect your top's surface closely before purchase, however, and discuss replacements with your dealer early.
Soft top
The soft top has been subject to less frequent complaints, but some 2021-2023 Bronco soft tops experienced some adhesive issues, which Ford took care of.
Long term, and less tied to the manufacturer and more tied to this kind of top (Jeep also has this problem), the soft top’s windows may become a point of failure in winter, especially if you prop open the rear of the top in cold weather (40 degrees F and under). Some owners have experienced cracking and creasing of their windows due to this. Replacing a window can cost $600+.
2.7L EcoBoost Engine
For a while, the 2.7L engine had owners on edge. One month into production, reports of valve failures had already surfaced. These “bad batch” Broncos, produced between May 1 and October 31, 2021, were addressed and could have their engine tested and replaced if needed. Since then, the concern about the 2.7L had quieted.
2.3L EcoBoost Engine
There’s not much talk about the 2.3L failing, but a small run of 2023 Broncos (from December 3-5) had their engines replaced due to an insufficient seal that could cause failure.
7-Speed Manual Transmission
The 7-speed trans, a welcome option for fans of shifting their own gears, has had its issues for some 2021-2023 Broncos –– a scraping noise in neutral, 1st, and 2nd –– but like the other problems in this list so far, Ford has offered solutions.
Flat Tow
In May 2022, Bronco’s brand manager alerted Bronco Nation of an issue with neutral tow, and the temporary solution. By March 2023, the permanent over-the-air software update to turn off the electronic brake booster was out.
Some owners still appear to be having issues or concerns with flat towing, however, and a flat tow failure can result in a cooked transmission that customers have trouble getting covered under warranty. Please follow your manual closely, practice engaging and disengaging neutral tow before traveling, and don’t let yourself be distracted while setting it for good.
Tie Rods/Steering Rack
I’ll be upfront: Knowing certain modifications need to be considered holistically, my opinion has been that the Bronco tie rod weakness was overblown, scaring many more people off from enjoying their Bronco's capabilities than failures occur. While I can think of one case online where an owner stated a tie rod snapped simply by turning, a look at why failures happen is also necessary. Understandably, people love the look of a lifted Bronco with larger tires, but upfitting a vehicle without considering the geometry of the suspension can be trouble, initiating fails. Off-roading technique is another driver of component failure: Ford Performance drivers Loren Healy and Vaughn Gittin Jr. took a stock-suspension First Edition through Pritchett Canyon, an extremely difficult level 9 trail, and the tie rods made it through unharmed.
Still, to answer complaints and help customers feel more confident, in 2024, Ford gave the Badlands and Sasquatch-equipped trims the Wildtrak’s High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) 3.0 steering gear, and for 2025, Badlands buyers can add the complete HOSS 3.0 system, which includes FOX 2.5-inch Internal Bypass Dampers, the Ford Performance Severe-Duty upgraded steering rack from the Bronco Raptor, and upgraded inner and outer tie rods.
Shocks
Badlands and Sasquatch-equipped owners may have seen posts about the Bilstein shocks losing their reservoirs. This issue has been escalated to a recall, and Ford will be replacing the rear shocks on Broncos produced between Sept. 23, 2020 and July 23, 2024. The remedy is targeted for Q3 2025.
Electrical Issues: With technology comes some bugs. Ford has had to issue a recall for the rear camera not displaying an image and a customer satisfaction program for the wiper motor, which required a software update. Other gremlins have included loose connections, rear defroster cables detaching, bad batteries, and myriad more singular issues covered under warranty.
This is the one area my current Bronco has given me a fault, for the parking brake. However, it came up once and never happened again.
Third-Party Bronco Reliability Reviews and Reports
While that may seem like more issues than you’d like, not all will apply to every Bronco, and the Bronco receives good reviews from sites like Edmunds (7.9/10), J.D. Power (76/100), and Car and Driver (9.5/10).
And if you want another opinion from a knowledgeable source, you can always ask fellow Bronco Nation member and Ford Senior Master Technician Kyle Stone how he likes his 2022 Black Diamond: “One judge I’ve seen for most vehicles has been ‘Is a mechanic willing to own one, from new or close to new?’”
Best SUV for You?
The Bronco is unapologetically wild, bred for off-road use and civilized on the pavement. There have been issues with the new SUV for sure, and some things that come with a removable roof and doors off-road vehicle –– wind noise, rattles, and wipe-clean finishes –– may not suit all owners. Despite these, the Bronco is a blast to drive, fun to own, and can be worth any quirks, though I hope yours has none. My final thoughts? A good relationship with your dealer, an extended warranty, and friends in the Bronco forums and clubs will help your ownership experience!
Tell me below
Has your Bronco been reliable? What issues have you had, covered above or not? Do you disagree with my takes? Your opinions are welcomed and may help a future owner decide if this is the right vehicle for them!
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