Prospective buyer reliability concerns

[SuperDave150]

https://www.consumerreports.org/car...isfaction/car-owner-satisfaction-a1136744521/

Sponsored

 

[KABQ]

Funny thing is that my 99 10th Anniversary Miata ($30k in 1999, $57k inflation adjusted) came with a bad engine... Didn't even last 5k miles (as did many with a bad thrust bearing clearances).

Despite that, I would still characterize the Miata as a very reliable car generally. Still, at least Mazda knew how to build a removable hardtop.

But the damn thing didn't handle very well inverted.

I beat the everloving hell out of my Miata on track and it soaked it up without blinking. Loved that thing. I kept it rubber side down, though

 

[DrewBronc21]

I have an early 21 two door 7MT Badlands self squatch . I have the scraping transmission sound but once it’s warmed up I can barely hear it. There’s a TSB but never bothered to take it in. I’ve had a few annoying sensor failures, 4WD, Ambient air temp and they just replaced front sway disconnect system under warranty as it had a leak. Otherwise at about 30k miles and my daily. It is what it is. There is no other 2 door Manual SUV with a removable top and doors, independent suspension for daily duties etc. I think it’s reliable but I’ve had cars that had zero issues.

 

[4WheelBugout]

I have an early 21 two door 7MT Badlands self squatch . I have the scraping transmission sound but once it’s warmed up I can barely hear it. There’s a TSB but never bothered to take it in. I’ve had a few annoying sensor failures, 4WD, Ambient air temp and they just replaced front sway disconnect system under warranty as it had a leak. Otherwise at about 30k miles and my daily. It is what it is. There is no other 2 door Manual SUV with a removable top and doors, independent suspension for daily duties etc. I think it’s reliable but I’ve had cars that had zero issues.

Thanks for this info. You had 4WD failure under 30k miles? Is that not quite unusual?

 

[cbrenthus]

Funny thing is that my 99 10th Anniversary Miata ($30k in 1999, $57k inflation adjusted) came with a bad engine... Didn't even last 5k miles (as did many with a bad thrust bearing clearances).

Despite that, I would still characterize the Miata as a very reliable car generally. Still, at least Mazda knew how to build a removable hardtop.

But the damn thing didn't handle very well inverted.

 

[wjtinfwb]

I'm very, very close to putting a deposit down on a Bronco build, but after sifting through posts on the forum I have some reliability concerns. I wanted to check in with owners to see if some of these issues have been fixed on current models or on the newer 2025's.

I'm after a manual transmission, and I read about the "scraping" noise when cold. Is this still an issue on all manual Broncos? Or has it been fixed for newer 2024-2025 models?

I read that some people have experienced front differential leaks on nearly brand new Broncos. Is this still ongoing or less likely on newer builds?

I don't mind some roof noise since this is essentially a convertible, but have rattles improved at all over time?

I read about early transmission failures. Is this now quite rare or non-existent on newer builds?

Sorry to dig up all the dirt on this one of a kind rig, that is litterally the last of its kind to be found in manual transmission. I'd love to hear from owners regarding some of these issues, or if I have missed anything.

sorry to be the party pooper, but my ‘23 Big Bend Sas V6 has been perfect in 21 months and 16k miles. No warning lights, no leaks, no rattles. Apple Car Play was a bit unstable at first, updates by both Ford and Apple solved that and it’s now rock solid. My Bronco has never been back to a dealer, maybe that’s why I’ve been lucky. It’s a much more livable everyday vehicle than a Wrangler and way more fun than a 4Runner. I’d absolutely buy another.

 

[4WheelBugout]

sorry to be the party pooper, but my ‘23 Big Bend Sas V6 has been perfect in 21 months and 16k miles. No warning lights, no leaks, no rattles. Apple Car Play was a bit unstable at first, updates by both Ford and Apple solved that and it’s now rock solid. My Bronco has never been back to a dealer, maybe that’s why I’ve been lucky. It’s a much more livable everyday vehicle than a Wrangler and way more fun than a 4Runner. I’d absolutely buy another.

Party starter perhaps? Maybe it's the weather over there in FL

 

[3People1Body]

Forums are full of people seeking others opinions on issues, and to commiserate with them.

Tons of us have had no issues, but maybe little quirks that Ford is addressing, or you just live with. These are off road vehicles, and and not luxury vehicles.

Go into it with that attitude and you should be fine, if issues come up let Ford fix them.

 

[DrewBronc21]

Thanks for this info. You had 4WD failure under 30k miles? Is that not quite unusual?

No, just the sensor.

 

[Brian_B]

Most of my issues on my Bronco have been self inflicted in some manner. My biggest hangups are mostly first world problems: window flop, Sync issues, cheap plastic interior, playskol instrument cluster, etc. But they don’t stop me from having fun driving it.

My 7MT has been pretty good. No noises (yet, anyway), but can be a little rough shifting from 1st to 2nd when very cold. Nothing unusual though, and better than most of the 5spds I’ve driven.

 

[dgorsett]

Reliability has been very good, remember forums tend to address problems with vehicles, not rock solid reliability.

Fact is that my 2021 Bronco has been the most reliable vehicle that I have ever owned. It's not perfect in every way, but the number of complaints is lower than average based on the forum posts that I have seen.

Fact is that my 2021 Bronco has been the most reliable vehicle that I have ever owned.

Wow, that's saying something.

 

[dgorsett]

And remember reliability only goes so far. Had a 2013 Explorer, I only did oil changes when it yelled at me and little other maintenance. In ten years, only replaced a lock mechanism, and Ford reimbursed me for that. I disliked EVERYTHING about that car. It provided no joy at all, but it was reliable.

Bronco seems fairly trouble free and very joyful.

 

[userdude]

WAIT, WHAT'D YOU SAY?? SORRY, I'M HARD OF HEARING!! YOU GOTTA SPEAK UP A LITTLE!! NO IT'S NOT LOUD!! WHY DO YOU ASK??

 

[SuperDave150]

Fact is that my 2021 Bronco has been the most reliable vehicle that I have ever owned.

Wow, that's saying something.

Fact is that my Toyota Tacoma was hands down the least reliable vehicle I’ve ever owned. I bought it new and had a fat folder of problems & repairs when I sold it. 2 years later the next owner told me the engine grenaded on a road trip. (I had changed the oil religiously since it was the first new car of my life,)

 

[ABorges]

I'm very, very close to putting a deposit down on a Bronco build, but after sifting through posts on the forum I have some reliability concerns. I wanted to check in with owners to see if some of these issues have been fixed on current models or on the newer 2025's.

I'm after a manual transmission, and I read about the "scraping" noise when cold. Is this still an issue on all manual Broncos? Or has it been fixed for newer 2024-2025 models?

I read that some people have experienced front differential leaks on nearly brand new Broncos. Is this still ongoing or less likely on newer builds?

I don't mind some roof noise since this is essentially a convertible, but have rattles improved at all over time?

I read about early transmission failures. Is this now quite rare or non-existent on newer builds?

Sorry to dig up all the dirt on this one of a kind rig, that is litterally the last of its kind to be found in manual transmission. I'd love to hear from owners regarding some of these issues, or if I have missed anything.

I have had my Bronco since December of 2021, I wouldn't trade it for anything fun to drive, and still makes me smile when I drive it. I haven't had any big problems with it, other than replacing the hard top twice and some small recall things it has been reliable.

Sponsored