Recommendations to improve long term reliability?

[Nc211]

As long as it's smooth when it is warmed up it will probably be better than the 5 speed auto in my Acura as that was also very clunky. Did you change the Trans filter and do anything to clean the magnet? Only used to the drain and fill of the Acura's trans.

I did change the filter. Didn't waste time on cleaning the magnet as the process was to replace the OE pan for the PPE pan that offers the drain plug for simple drain/fills in the future. I wasn't going to change the filter at first, but then figured since it was going to be right there anyway, might as well reset it all after the 4k break-in period. Glad I bought it, as once I got in there and could get a good look at it, I was glad to have the new one right there ready to go. NOT saying it was bad beyond normal operations, nor saying it was headed to a problem, but was clear to me the break-in period had an impact on it. I think most cars are probably that way. You change the fluid at say 50k miles and it looks rough, but willing to bet most of that occurred within the first few thousand miles of the car in general. Willing to bet if I changed it now at 50k, it won't look quite as rough since it hasn't had to live with the break-in materials during the whole time.

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[2021FordBronco2]

Congrats on the new Bronco and welcome to the club. I’ll offer my maintenance schedule as it’s worked great for my Badlands so far and previously for my Fiesta ST that saw a fair amount of track time.

- Break-in engine oil change at 350
- Break-in oil change (engine, transmission, transfer case, axles) at 1200

- Engine Oil/filter change and tire rotation every 4k
- Engine air filter every 8k
- Driveline fluid change, fresh spark plugs, and new cabin filter every 24k

I’ll perform an inspection on the suspension and brakes, when I rotate the tires and anytime before/after I hit the trails. (Looking for any play in the suspension arms/links, hubs, and ball joints.)

Otherwise I run top tier 93 octane fuel, stay on top of my tire pressures, and drive the heck out of it!

Cheers

Thank you and glad to finally join! I am in love with this thing so far and really want to make it last. I appreciate the feedback of you and everyone else as well.

 

[2021FordBronco2]

I did change the filter. Didn't waste time on cleaning the magnet as the process was to replace the OE pan for the PPE pan that offers the drain plug for simple drain/fills in the future. I wasn't going to change the filter at first, but then figured since it was going to be right there anyway, might as well reset it all after the 4k break-in period. Glad I bought it, as once I got in there and could get a good look at it, I was glad to have the new one right there ready to go. NOT saying it was bad beyond normal operations, nor saying it was headed to a problem, but was clear to me the break-in period had an impact on it. I think most cars are probably that way. You change the fluid at say 50k miles and it looks rough, but willing to bet most of that occurred within the first few thousand miles of the car in general. Willing to bet if I changed it now at 50k, it won't look quite as rough since it hasn't had to live with the break-in materials during the whole time.

Awesome thanks for the feedback, I will most likely do the same as you. As everyone else has said, better to be proactive than reactive.

 

[2023bronco]

First oil change at 5K, then every 3K miles thereafter is a good start.

3k oil changes is throwing money away. Annual or 3k in my 72 Chevelle that takes dino oil, whichever is soonest. New cars on synthetic, not sooner than 5k.

 

[adam1991]

New cars on synthetic, not sooner than 5k.

10K changes over 500K miles:

 

[vicorjh]

Cabin Air Filter - Holy Cow! Check yours early!

lol. Thanks for the reminder.

Twelve months vacuuming leaves from our driveway, apparently:

 

[buck_6G]

I was going to say, buy a Toyota. But, not sure that applies anymore. Just enjoy it, man. I love Ford. I mean, I’m not sure what to think about them. I’ve seen crazy high mileage Ecoboost engines, and I’ve read plenty, that Ford is garbage. I just like their stuff. GM is owned by the Chinese. Stellantis has gone to complete crap. I think it’s more important than ever, to support the USA. And, if that means a few more issues than the Japanese offerings, so be it. I just bought my wife a 24 Bronco, and I got myself a 24 F150 Raptor. Wish me luck.

Enjoy the ride

Yeah, if reliability is your top priority, then an American-made vehicle isn't where anybody should be aiming their wallet. The 2024 Tacoma has notoriously suffered widespread transmission failures, in what is a rare misstep for the auto maker. That said, blind support for domestic manufacturing only reduces pressure on American auto makers to compete, driving even less focus on quality and affordability - the latter of which has really gotten out of hand in the last 5 years.

Regarding GM - I've read they have a joint venture in China with SAIC (GM-SAIC) for manufacturing, but not that any Chinese entity has a majority share in GM itself. Has that changed? If so, I would have thought the chicken tax would treat vehicles exported to the US under such an arrangement as Chinese vehicles (100% tax).

Luckily, my Bronco has been pretty good to me, even with some adventurous wheeling. I still sleep better at night with the Ford ESP, but I budgeted for that when planning the purchase. FWIW, I really want to support American manufacturers, but not if they are going to devalue my dollar by continuing to raise prices while failing to improve quality or value. Look at the 2025 Base model Bronco's price - starting at 38k! The all-digital cluster and 12" standard infotainment screen surely don't justify a 9k price increase since it was last on sale.

 

[enjoitheride]

Yeah, if reliability is your top priority, then an American-made vehicle isn't where anybody should be aiming their wallet. The 2024 Tacoma has notoriously suffered widespread transmission failures, in what is a rare misstep for the auto maker. That said, blind support for domestic manufacturing only reduces pressure on American auto makers to compete, driving even less focus on quality and affordability - the latter of which has really gotten out of hand in the last 5 years.

Regarding GM - I've read they have a joint venture in China with SAIC (GM-SAIC) for manufacturing, but not that any Chinese entity has a majority share in GM itself. Has that changed? If so, I would have thought the chicken tax would treat vehicles exported to the US under such an arrangement as Chinese vehicles (100% tax).

Luckily, my Bronco has been pretty good to me, even with some adventurous wheeling. I still sleep better at night with the Ford ESP, but I budgeted for that when planning the purchase. FWIW, I really want to support American manufacturers, but not if they are going to devalue my dollar by continuing to raise prices while failing to improve quality or value. Look at the 2025 Base model Bronco's price - starting at 38k! The all-digital cluster and 12" standard infotainment screen surely don't justify a 9k price increase since it was last on sale.

I don’t blindly support them. I have a 2022 TRD Pro Tacoma in the driveway, also. However, Toyota isn’t what they use to be. I’ve been in the new Tacoma, Tundra, Camry, etc, and the quality is subpar. Fit and finish is terrible. I have a good friend who is a master tech at Toyota, and he said he wouldn’t touch the new Tundra or Tacoma. He’s had a few wrecked Tacoma engines, also.

All vehicle prices are obnoxious. The automakers have gotten greedy and it’s that simple. Over production of vehicles during these times did them no favors. Then, they go and offer massive discounts to dump inventory. The Toyota dealer by me is sitting on a mass amount of new Tacos and Tundras. I’ve owned three Gen3 Tacomas, and a few 4Runners. When the Gen3 came out, getting one wasn’t easy. Times have changed.

I still believe it’s important in putting money back in our economy. Ford will learn its lesson from all the warranty and service claims it will be paying out.

At the end of the day, I still love my Raptor and Bronco. Happy to drive them, even if they have issues here and there. Our problem as Americans, is taking pride in what we do. It’s not the same anymore, as we have become a lazy society. If we acted like the Japanese or the Germans, we’d have some delightful rides.

 

[2021FordBronco2]

10K changes over 500K miles:

So according to this video my Bronco's engine should last 500K without major problems if I use full synthetic every 10K

 

[adam1991]

So according to this video my Bronco's engine should last 500K without major problems if I use full synthetic every 10K

Get it in writing. Tell them you'll buy 300 quarts of their oil right now if they'll put it in writing.

 

[buck_6G]

I don’t blindly support them. I have a 2022 TRD Pro Tacoma in the driveway, also. However, Toyota isn’t what they use to be. I’ve been in the new Tacoma, Tundra, Camry, etc, and the quality is subpar. Fit and finish is terrible. I have a good friend who is a master tech at Toyota, and he said he wouldn’t touch the new Tundra or Tacoma. He’s had a few wrecked Tacoma engines, also.

All vehicle prices are obnoxious. The automakers have gotten greedy and it’s that simple. Over production of vehicles during these times did them no favors. Then, they go and offer massive discounts to dump inventory. The Toyota dealer by me is sitting on a mass amount of new Tacos and Tundras. I’ve owned three Gen3 Tacomas, and a few 4Runners. When the Gen3 came out, getting one wasn’t easy. Times have changed.

I still believe it’s important in putting money back in our economy. Ford will learn its lesson from all the warranty and service claims it will be paying out.

At the end of the day, I still love my Raptor and Bronco. Happy to drive them, even if they have issues here and there. Our problem as Americans, is taking pride in what we do. It’s not the same anymore, as we have become a lazy society. If we acted like the Japanese or the Germans, we’d have some delightful rides.

Could not agree more on all points. After following the UAW strike this past year, it broke my heart to learn that so many factory workers had been considered "temps" despite working the same number of hours as their "full time" counterparts for as long as a decade (but not receiving health or retirement benefits due to a loophole exploited by Ford and others).

Taking pride in Made in America ought to mean first taking care of the people who make the goods we depend on. We'll see where things go.

Also, I'm on my second Gen3 Taco (4th overall) and love it. 2017 TRD Pro, and it's never let me down a single time. Hope you continue to love yours if you still have it - they're indestructible!

 

[enjoitheride]

I don’t blindly support them. I have a 2022 TRD Pro Tacoma in the driveway, also. However, Toyota isn’t what they use to be. I’ve been in the new Tacoma, Tundra, Camry, etc, and the quality is subpar. Fit and finish is terrible. I have a good friend who is a master tech at Toyota, and he said he wouldn’t touch the new Tundra or Tacoma. He’s had a few wrecked Tacoma engines, also.

All vehicle prices are obnoxious. The automakers have gotten greedy and it’s that simple. Over production of vehicles during these times did them no favors. Then, they go and offer massive discounts to dump inventory. The Toyota dealer by me is sitting on a mass amount of new Tacos and Tundras. I’ve owned three Gen3 Tacomas, and a few 4Runners. When the Gen3 came out, getting one wasn’t easy. Times have changed.

I still believe it’s important in putting money back in our economy. Ford will learn its lesson from all the warranty and service claims it will be paying out.

At the end of the day, I still love my Raptor and Bronco. Happy to drive them, even if they have issues here and there.

Could not agree more on all points. After following the UAW strike this past year, it broke my heart to learn that so many factory workers had been considered "temps" despite working the same number of hours as their "full time" counterparts for as long as a decade (but not receiving health or retirement benefits due to a loophole exploited by Ford and others).

Taking pride in Made in America ought to mean first taking care of the people who make the goods we depend on. We'll see where things go.

Also, I'm on my second Gen3 Taco (4th overall) and love it. 2017 TRD Pro, and it's never let me down a single time. Hope you continue to love yours if you still have it - they're indestructible!

Totally agree, man.

I still have it. I was originally going to sell it, but it’s fully built out as an overland rig. Plus, it’s a manual transmission, and I need that in my life still from time to time. Not many manuals left to choose from these days.

One day I’d like to get a 69-70 Bronco, or Defender 110 classic diesel with a manual. We shall see.

Once you own a Raptor, which I’ve had four, it’s hard to go back to small vehicles, ha.

 

[lakesinai]

After 4 years of wanting a Bronco I finally got a Big Bend with the 2.3 auto. I was curious what I should and shouldn't do to improve/keep the reliability of this Bronco as I plan on keeping it till the wheels fall off.

I recommend buying a long term FordProtect warranty (ESP) Premium Care from Grainger. I did. I'm starting to use it at 75000, but only once. Generally, if you buy it, you won't need it. If you don't buy it, you'll need $10,000 of repairs just after the OEM warranty expires

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