Seems like I'm seeing an awful lot of these on used car lots lately.

Are they just getting old enough that folks are trading them in or is there an issue with some models?

I'll be watching this thread. I remember hearing of problems early on, but I don't remember what they were.

My neighbor ditched her Bronco because of issues and recalls, don't know what issues she experienced but they were enough her decide to trade her Bronco for a Acura. She might have just had a lemon, my ex girlfriend's uncle loves his Bronco.

If they offered it with a 5.0 L V8, I would consider it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SW_Sig,

quote:

Originally posted by SW_Sig:

If they feared it with a 5.0 L V8, I would consider it.

That would indeed, be a fearsome combination.

I have a 24 Heritage. I love this thing. 2.3 Ecoboost with a stick. Yes, the Bronco can be had with a manual transmission.

I just received notice of my third recall.

1st. On Heritage of my build period, the rear side windows can fall out. Apparently factory adhesive wasn’t right. This is for Heritage only.

2nd. Shock reservoir mounting can have corrosion issues. Not really worried about that here in the ATL, but I could see that being more of a problem elsewhere.


3rd, just got the other day. Software problem of the console screen can go blank, which kills your rear camera view.


The first two were fixed by Ford for free (had to wait in replacement rear windows but I never experienced a problem), this third one they are waiting on a software fix.


I still love it. At least the earlier years with hardtops develop roof issues regularly. I suspect it wasn’t the roof Ford wanted but the roof Ford could get quickly given that the model launch was during Covid. The Heritage roof is different. I’ve experienced no issues or leaks. There are third party fiberglass tops now, though they can be pricey.

The 2.3 is fine. That engine is pretty baked in now. 295hp in stock trim, there’s a factory tune to get it to 310 (premium fuel then), but it’s fine as it is.

Road noise is….better than jeeps, not as good as a regular road vehicle. The larger mud tires aren’t helping. I’ve done 4 hour trips in it and been fine.

I’m getting 18.1 mpg combined. It is pushing a brick through the air, after all. On the highway it’s around 2200/2300 rpm at 70mph. That’s not what it was built for.

As for what is was built for, I haven’t really stressed it. I had plans, it then the friends with 4Runners and such went and had babies, so… plans change. Nevertheless, I’m always happy in the Bronco, even in ATL traffic.

Bronco6g.com is the go to forum imho.

Disclaimer: I don't own one.


I suspect a lot of ones are on used lots for one of the same reason Wranglers do. People see it, think it looks cool and give zero thought to how compromised it is as a daily (especially since a lot of 4 doors seem to have the soft top).

My brother had on for a month before it tried to kill him. He bought a used 2022 and was loving it.

About a month back, he was on the back roads of Arizona solo trail riding and the brakes went out while going on a down grade.

The gravel road in front of him made a turn and straight ahead was a 200 foot steep drop. Instead of trying to navigate the turn, he turned the wheel up the side hill to slow the Bronco. This stopped the Bronco after taking a 3 side roll.

He was able to contact 911 and they airlifted him out off the area. The air bag beat him up pretty good but he was okay.

The next day when they retrieved the Bronco, the brakes failed two more times as it was toed out.

Turned out there was a brake cylinder recall that was not performed and he did not know about.

He sent the accident info to Ford and is asking to be reimbursed for the damages and medical bills. No lawyer will take him because he was not injured enough.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
That would indeed, be a fearsome combination.

I'm holding out for the O.J. Simpson Edition.



.

The bronco sport is advertised for $28k. It seems like the little ford car. Don't remember the name of the car. But with a small suv body on it. Maybe same as the maverick. Maybe all three are the same?

I wonder if the sport could take light abuse. Dirt, gravel, light to moderate off road. Six to eight inches of snow?

Or is it strickly an around town suv?

I had one as a loaner for 2 weeks while my Expedition transmission was getting rebuilt. It was an Outer Banks edition. All in all it was a nice truck but a little hard to get into as I'm 6'3 and the height was a little of a reach to get my right leg into and the step bars I was way too high to climb in using those. It had plenty of power, but I didn't like the tailgate design because the tailgate has to be opened about 120 degrees to even tilt the rear window up. It was also tippy due to the short wheel base when you turn it leans when you stop, etc. So I could see getting annoyed with it after a while.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeNH:
Disclaimer: I don't own one.


I suspect a lot of ones are on used lots for one of the same reason Wranglers do. People see it, think it looks cool and give zero thought to how compromised it is as a daily (especially since a lot of 4 doors seem to have the soft top).

That's pretty much what I suspect. Memories of their Dad's Gen 1 Bronco but expecting 2025 ride and convenience.

Perhaps there are a ton of them on dealer lots because the leases have expired, and people don't want to pay it off?

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
Perhaps there are a ton of them on dealer lots because the leases have expired, and people don't want to pay it off?

Or

Couldn't even if they wanted to

Bronco can’t really be used as a generic model because the Bronco sport is essentially an Escape and the other models are body on frame which is a completely different vehicle.

Some of them that were equipped with the 2.7 have an issue with the silchrome lite intake valves wanting to make extra pieces out of themselves.

No recalls have been made, but some turned in to a grenade before the first payment. The affected vehicles were made before October 2021.

I think all modern vehicles have their “issues” and of course those who experience the issues complain the loudest. The valve issue was early on, and was the fault of a parts supplier that caused a recall for less than half of all Broncos produced in 21/22, not sure how many actually had the bad valves.

I have a 2022 Bronco, Outer Banks with the 2.7L V-6 EcoBoost twin turbo. Build date was early June 2022, post valve issue. Haven’t had any problems with it, and I expect to have for a good long time.

Not sure if it would be my choice as an “only” car, but love it as a second car. As far as suspension, etc. mine is totally stock although I did swap a set of Badlands trim tires/wheels on to it. Been to Moab twice off-roading on area trails and up in the local mountains (Cascades in WA) lots of times.

The reasons why it won’t be my only car? At 16-17mpg around town it can get pricey given WA gas prices. On my trips to Moab I get about 19mpg (averaging 70mph+) keeping it under 70, it will do 20-21 mpg if you aren’t going up a lot of hills. Even at stock height, it is too high for my mother in law to get into (we take her to all of her medical appts) other than that, no real issues for me.


Being in the Bronco “community” I know a lot of folks bought them unaware of their rather limited towing capacity (3500lb max for most, 4500lb for Raptor) and many have decided to sell their Bronco for no reason other than wanting something that can tow more. My understanding is the limitation is more of a function of the suspension and not the frame strength or power. Some folks have gone to additional airbag suspported suspension components that can be engaged for towing and disabled for off road.



Our “other” car is a 2024 Bronco “Sport” Badlands trim. They are in fact two completely different vehicles. The Sport was brought to market before the Bronco full size and I think Ford just took advantage of the buzz and interest on the return of the Bronco to capitalize on the Bronco name for the Sport.

The Sport Badlands trim has the 2L I-4 EcoBoost (other Sport trims have the 1.5L I-3 EB engine). Like the Fullsize, the Badlands trim is definitely tweaked for more off-road chops vs the other Sport trims. Larger engine, more advanced 4x4 system, additional “GOAT” modes (changes parameters based on type of terrain). Beefier suspension, about 1-2” more clearance/travel and probably a few other things.


The Sport is much quieter inside, gets 23mpg around town, 28 on the highway. a little cramped inside, if you have adults in the back seat the folks up front need to have their seats forward.

Yes, the Sport is the replacement for the Escape and started with the same chassis but is not just an Escape with different body panels. We traded our 2018 Escape in for the 2024 Bronco Sport and they are very different vehicles.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by SW_Sig:

If they feared it with a 5.0 L V8, I would consider it.

That would indeed, be a fearsome combination.

My V6 Bronco has no problem getting up and going in “Sport Mode” and considering it has the aerodynamic profile of a brick, rides surprisingly well for long stretches at 90mph (traversing ID/UT). Ford has a limiter on the Broncos that keeps them from going more than 105mph. The Coyote would just make it even less fuel efficient and I really don’t think it would add much other than “bragability”.

The Raptor version only ups the engine to a V-6 3L


The Sport, in Sport mode also gets going better than any SUV I’ve had. It is definitely tuned different than the the Escape. Our Escape was the Titanium trim that also had the 2L 4 cylinder, but it never had anywhere near the oomph that our Bronco Sport has.



I’ve done Ford’s Bronco “Off Rodeo” with both full-size and Sport versions, and the Sport is definitely capable of mild- medium off-roading, so long as there isn’t a huge clearance requirement. Forest service roads, logging roads, dirt, gravel, sand dunes etc. all day long and 6-8” of snow on pavement or hard pack road wouldn’t be a problem at all.

Me up in the Cacades




My stable




Bronco Sport Off Rodeo, stock Badlands vehicles with Hwy All Season tires

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 911Boss,

I suspect they are not for everyone. Compared to other SUVs, they are louder, more off-road focused than most, thirstier, and have that "modern car" build quality i.e., way more problems than that kind of purchase price should have.

I have had my Bronco 18 months and really enjoy it. If it disappeared tonight, I would be shopping for another one tomorrow.

As a longtime Jeep owner (30+ years), the road/wind noise, ride quality, and fuel (in)efficiency are normal to me. Others might find all of that unnecessary or tiring.

When I first drove a Bronco, I thought, "THIS is how a Jeep should drive." I feel like Jeep rested on its brand power for too long and got caught by Ford and maybe Toyota. In my opinion, like a Wrangler, the Bronco isn't great at anything but it's good at everything. Off road, road trips, top off, bad roads, bad weather, towing, hauling a dog, trips to the range, and lots of power. Off road, it's a mountain goat for me.

I have been lucky with only 3(!) recalls, and they were all backup camera related. I believe Ford set the record for recalls last year and the quantity of issues with new vehicles is a topic for another day -- GM's 6.2L recall, Toyota, Tesla, etc.

Interesting thread.

Peace.

quote:

Originally posted by Vincenzo’s Friend:
I suspect they are not for everyone. Compared to other SUVs, they are louder, more off-road focused than most, thirstier, and have that "modern car" build quality i.e., way more problems than that kind of purchase price should have.

I have had my Bronco 18 months and really enjoy it. If it disappeared tonight, I would be shopping for another one tomorrow.

As a longtime Jeep owner (30+ years), the road/wind noise, ride quality, and fuel (in)efficiency are normal to me. Others might find all of that unnecessary or tiring.

When I first drove a Bronco, I thought, "THIS is how a Jeep should drive." I feel like Jeep rested on its brand power for too long and got caught by Ford and maybe Toyota. In my opinion, like a Wrangler, the Bronco isn't great at anything but it's good at everything. Off road, road trips, top off, bad roads, bad weather, towing, hauling a dog, trips to the range, and lots of power. Off road, it's a mountain goat for me.

I have been lucky with only 3(!) recalls, and they were all backup camera related. I believe Ford set the record for recalls last year and the quantity of issues with new vehicles is a topic for another day -- GM's 6.2L recall, Toyota, Tesla, etc.

Interesting thread.

Peace.

This pretty much sums up my take. I have a 2025 Heritage, 2.7, auto. In the past 20 years I had two Rubicons, loved them. To me the Bronco is a great replacement, thoroughly enjoy driving it. Both my Jeeps were lifted, had a lot of work done to them, the Bronco will stay pretty much stock.

After owning it for 9 months I'm still figuring out the technology, these new vehicles wear me out. I don't like subscriptions and Ford has them, I probably won't renew any and use my IPhone. The dial a mode transmission works fine but I'd prefer levers, knobs etc.

I won't rock crawl with is but mostly desert and forest roads and it just eats them up. Something to be said for IFS.

Thanks 911boss, good first hand info.