First new Ford...Probably the last Ford

[Brian_B]

I can’t exactly say you are wrong. I’ve driven
Ford all my life so I kinda knew what I was signing up for,

But

If the Bronco were my first Ford, and I didn’t know any better, the fit/finish, interior design and QC are … not exactly praise-worthy.

I love driving my Bronco, but when friends ask about it, my first statement is always “Well, it ~is~ a Ford” - and that isn’t a negative or a positive thing, it’s just a fact. And everyone has their own opinion about that.

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[Tdub0527]

If you look hard enough you can find the bad in anything.

 

[Ducati1098]

No different than any other vehicle. Some are good, some are bad

 

[Area51BS]

Fit on my 22 is great except for a few points around swing gate. I prefer to leave it alone. Doors and fenders are great. No window issues. No weather stripping issues. No missing or stripped bolts. Soft top has been great. It could be better except the rear sections ability to lift is also great, it causes some of the sag complaints. Every door, fender and roof part is made to be removed easily. So I can forgive some fitment issues.

Yes the plastic is crap. Common on most if not all new Fords. Maverick is just as bad. Sport is better.

It’s a fun, interesting and great looking vehicle. Nothing else similar on the road except the Jeep. Ford will refine it a little as time goes on. I think some buyers expected it to be like any other SUV or truck. Big surprise, it’s not.

 

[Toccoa]

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

You had a Volkswagen but are complaining about the build quality of your Bronco? Not to say the Broncos are perfect but unless you traded them in while still under warranty VWs are notoriously not great vehicles.

Another totally disagree comment, 3 VWs back to back, 1 TDI that I sold back and 2 GTIs and then the Bronco. Quality was amazing on all of them and no issues with any outside of the whole Dieselgate thing (but amazing mpg).

 

[DC9atnight]

OP, you are not wrong, but (and this is a big but) the Bronco is an absolute blast off road and once you get your Bronco dirty, bang it against some rocks and run through sand, you will forget all about all those little annoying things.

 

[rgraphic]

This.
Maybe this is what I was thinking all along. It's certainly true more often than not.

 

[Dr Dan]

I'm not sure if this will help, but one of my doors wasn't closing right, so I took it and reseated it. It closes much better now. Some of your alignment issues with the door and roof may be due to the fact that they are removable. It's worth a shot to try.

 

[Ronru]

I picked up my 2dr 2024 Big Bend a couple months ago. I thought I saw enough YouTube videos and browsed the forums. I wish I would have read more of these forums in hindsight and relied far less on the YouTube excitement videos. The last ford I had was a 91 probe in high school back around 2001. Since then I have owned Honda, Jeep, Toyota, Subaru, and a couple VWs. Overall they all had some minor quirks or annoyances but nothing prepared me for this Bronco. The last 3 cars I owned were brand new. A Crosstrek, GTI and Tiguan. All looked so nice from the dealership. They ran well and just about everything looked like it hadn't been touched or used yet.

This is just not the case for the bronco, but I'll start with the good.

It is very fun to drive. I even enjoy the engine noise. The steering is perfect. The design of the dash and infotainment is perfect. The overall look and design of the vehicle is fantastic. I love that it has a t-top element that is simple to take down and store. Driving without it is a dream and scratches a bit of that open air itch I've had since selling my motorcycle. The marine grade seats and their design are just right. The seat heaters too! They get to therapeutic levels of hot. And it has a built in subwoofer. Again so many things designed so well!

Another thing I knew going in was that the speakers suck. And they do. But I accepted that going in. I switched them all out with kickers and made some tweaks to the eq, etc and it's actually decent now...As long as you keep it under 40ish mph. You're basically on an airplane going over 70 noise wise.

Now for my issues with this thing.
I hate the quality and construction of just about everything.
It feels like every day I spot something that just isn't quite right to varying degrees or feels cheap. Everyone has mentioned the plastic inside that is highly prone to scratches. I knew that going in and got some custom made canvas liners for the back plastic, but what I wasn't prepared for was the following..

This is the big one and it has driven me crazy since I noticed it. The top was manufactured in a way that the drivers side sticks out further (isn't flush with the rest of the body)and on the passenger side it is flush and looks correct. It's like they do zero alignment or measurement checks to these things when they leave the factory. I've seen body gap inconsistencies all over but nothing like this. So far no cracks but it does have some of the wavy sheen look I have seen in others. Very light honeycombing pattern as well.

Then I noticed the Drivers side door doesn't close without extra force needed and it just doesn't feel quite right. There's only two doors...and this can't be done right?? The glass annoyingly vibrates when it does latch. (Passenger side operates perfectly)

Then I noticed (and might be related to the above) the hard rubber corner in the front part of of the drivers door (that also channels the glass) has already wore through the rubber weather strip on the receiving side of the door jamb exposing aluminum underneath. My guess is the mold used to make it isn't as accurate in shape as the one used on the passenger side. it has to bend in a weird fashion to close completely. I have seen at least one person post pictures of the same wear shortly after purchase.

There is obviously tons of rubber gaskets and trim in a vehicle like this. Why do they all feel like they will fall apart in a year!? I've seen many vehicles from other manufactures that the rubber weatherstripping and gaskets feel strong and durable. This just doesn't give me a lot of confidence.

Back to the MIC top, im terrified to even clean it, due to people going through 2..3..4?? different replacement tops. I should be able to use detailing products built for plastic trim or sealed paint. Just tell me which it is Ford...or better yet, recommend a product!

Why is there so much surface rust on the underside of a new vehicle? I would expect this much after driving a few midwest winters but im in WA and this thing is 2 months old.

Why am I noticing bolts that look like they were installed with the wrong socket or sloppy use of the socket. The bolts that attach the spare mount are painted but look like crap due to sloppy install. I know they are hidden for the most part, but thats no excuse.

Speaking of paint, there are random little paint chips I spot all over. Mainly near edges. Some I cant even make sense of how it happened.

I also notice areas where I cant tell if a gasket is slightly out of place or not because most things all look a little off or unrefined.

Again, all of the plastic across the vehicle feels incredibly cheap and squeaks or bends with very little pressure. Numerous times im second guessing if all the clips were installed right from the factory. "why does this piece move like this, but the other side does not" is a frequent question. It's like the vehicle has a good and evil side. pretty much everything on the passenger side aligns and looks right but the driver has all sorts of issues with fit and alignment.

I understand this isn't an Audi or Lexus, and maybe im just not used to Ford or what those owners expect quality wise, but I guess im just tired of finding these build quality easter eggs daily with my brand new vehicle. I know the argument its designed to be dirty and get scratches etc but I should be the one that makes that happen. It shouldn't be built like crap because its "going to get dirty and busted up eventually anyway".

I want to emphasize, I do in general love the vehicle from a driving and design standpoint. I dont want this to sound like I hate everything about it. I just dont understand how so many QC details are let through.

Troll

 

[JediMcMuffin]

It sounds like you just want pat on the back, now go wheeling.

 

[rgraphic]

I have to respectfully disagree on the VW, especially the GTI that OP had. I’ve had 4 of them over the years, all truly spectacular and as reliable as any Toyota product I’ve had before (95 LS400, 03 GS430, 05 V8 Runner, 13 Highlander). Never a problem from any of my GTI’s (87, 07, 13, 15). Currently have a 14 Tiquan for my son, it too is excellent. Love them so much, that I prefer them now over the other German brands I’ve had. Currently on my final Mercedes via 2020 GLS450. My Bronco replaced my 2014 MB E350 sedan.

That all being said, OP, you’re in the wrong car with the Bronco. Nothing against the Bronco or you, but what you’re citing as irritants to your own enjoyment, are some of the reasons why some of us bought one. Me personally? I grew tired of wondering what that rattle was, or feeling like I needed to protect everything from the dog, or if the rubber gasket in the window shifted 1/16th of an inch I got a wind whistle, or this or that. I wanted a car where “oh well screw it” was an option, if that makes any sense. There comes a time in your life when you begin to realize that you don’t own your things, your things own you. The Bronco is a breath of fresh air to guys like that! I get the feeling you’re not quite there yet, which is just fine amigo, take your time and go enjoy what makes you happy!

I really appreciate the response. I understand it's important not to fixate on the minor details in life and just to enjoy things as they are. I dont think its necessary the wrong vehicle, just the wrong manufacturer. If it were built in a Toyota factory I dont think I'd be here. This is just a first for me with a new vehicle. Usually the bumps and bruises come over time so it's a bit more digestible, especially with the large some of money involved. I love detailing my cars just as much as getting them out and about so it just stings a bit to notice so much so quickly. Completely agree though, not to let things own you.

 

[Sunday Money]

I hate the quality and construction of just about everything.
It feels like every day I spot something that just isn't quite right to varying degrees or feels cheap. Everyone has mentioned the plastic inside that is highly prone to scratches. I knew that going in and got some custom made canvas liners for the back plastic, but what I wasn't prepared for was the following..

Why am I noticing bolts that look like they were installed with the wrong socket or sloppy use of the socket.

Speaking of paint, there are random little paint chips I spot all over. Mainly near edges. Some I cant even make sense of how it happened.

This does not sound good. Please post photos of:

1. custom made canvas liners
2. bolts that look like they were installed with the wrong socket or sloppy use of the socket
3. random little paint chips I spot all over

 

[Ronru]

I really appreciate the response. I understand it's important not to fixate on the minor details in life and just to enjoy things as they are. I dont think its necessary the wrong vehicle, just the wrong manufacturer. If it were built in a Toyota factory I dont think I'd be here. This is just a first for me with a new vehicle. Usually the bumps and bruises come over time so it's a bit more digestible, especially with the large some of money involved. I love detailing my cars just as much as getting them out and about so it just stings a bit to notice so much so quickly. Completely agree though, not to let things own you.

Troll

 

[rgraphic]

I really appreciate the response. I understand it's important not to fixate on the minor details in life and just to enjoy things as they are. This is just a first for me with a new car. Usually the bumps and bruises come over time so it's a bit more digestible, especially with the large some of money involved. I love detailing my cars just as much as getting them out and about so it just stings a bit to notice so much so quickly. Completely agree though, not to let things own you.

This does not sound good. Can you post photos of:

1. custom made canvas liners
2. bolts that look like they were installed with the wrong socket or sloppy use of the socket
3. random little paint chips I spot all over

I can post a picture when I install the canvas liner. It's just for the trunk area made by canvasback. wanted something I could remove and clean because of muddy dogs and avoid gouges in the side plastic when transporting gear. I might hate it but, wanted to try something prior before letting it get banged up.

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