Wanting to Learn: 2025 2DR Base 7MT on Desert Sand

[garoto]

Hi,

I own a 2023 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium which I’ll keep, I love that truck. But I’m strongly considering a 2025 2DR Base 7MT on Desert Sand. I like base because I like simple trouble free cars, the only thing I don’t like is the absence of a locking diff. I have a few questions a for someone new to Bronco and Ford as a brand as well:
- Any known issues with this model?
- Any general issues with these broncos in general
- Any drive train issues
- Any technology or electronic issues
- Dealer experience in the Austin area or in gwneral
- Ford corporate experience for warranty claims or escalations in general
- Is the car solid, or does something fall out every day? Reminder, I have a Toyota and so, I’m used to absolute bullet proof trucks. Curious how the bronco could fare in comparison.
Thanks!

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[Smocaine]

2025 models haven't been around for very long, so it's hard to say.
The 2025 receives a new 2.3L engine that is completely different to the previous 2.3L EcoBoost engine, so most maintenance and reliability advice will be moot. It gets combination direct-port injection, which addresses the DI-only valve gunk issue.
There is also a new all-digital dash that has even less road experience. It looks neat, though!
The 7MT likes to make a rock-tumbler sound when it's cold (below 50F) - there have been several TSBs to address this with limited success. It doesn't seem to hurt anything, but it sounds awful.
Some owners have had issues with premature battery failure or low battery warnings, likely due to the Bronco's battery management system that does not run the alternator all the time and the Auto Start/Stop system. ASS does not activate as frequently in 7MT models as 10AT ones, and can be manually disabled.
The MIC (non-painted) hardtops have a reputation for cracking.
Some drivers have also had the rear defroster connection separate from the rear window on the hardtop.
The tie rods can be a weakpoint if offroaded vigorously, but most people who break them are wearing large tires and zero offsets. They're not really any worse than IFS Toyotas in that respect.
There have also been several reports of damage while flat towing - either the parking brake coming on or the automatic transmission parking itself. This would only be relevant if you're pulling it behind an RV but Ford was notably reticent in those cases.

I have a Job 2 (late) 2024 build 2dr/7mt, so I'm not subject to any recalls, but earlier Broncos may have up to 5 at this point. Ford is not Toyota, unfortunately.

 

[Brian_B]

Well, it’s a Ford.

It’s gonna have cheap plastic. It’s mass produced. And Ford electronics are horrible (Sync).

But mostly reliable, easy to work on, has plenty of power, and crazy fun to drive

Just a matter of if the pros outweigh the cons for you

 

[bassist]

So Ford’s 360 cameras are better, you can fit bigger tires…

But hard top quality will be worse, noise will be worse, ride will be worse.

I will go as so far to say that unless you get get a trim that has a front locker or swaybar disconnect, or take advantage of the ability to run bigger tires, that the 4Runner is a better vehicle for offroad and onroad.

Basically, you need to take advantage of the things the Bronco platform does that the 4Runner doesn’t to make it balance out.

I wanted bigger tires, front locker, swaybar disconnect, and didn’t want to deal with the cost of a full bumper on my 4Runner (or the ugly of the viper cut).

That’s why I made the switch.

Frankly, if you are keeping the 4Runner, a Jeep would be a better 2nd off-roader.

The Bronco really does split the middle.

 

[garoto]

Well, thank you all.

I honestly was all in on the Bronco, but when I drove it I couldn’t do a Turbo 4-Cyl on a car like this. The infotainment is subpar, it hasn’t changed all that much in the last 10 years. I mean it has, but it also hasn’t.

I ended up going for a Jeep Wrangler Sport 6MT, Jeep’s infotainment and screen is far superior, and the V6 kind of did it for me.

I hate coming to a Ford forum to talk about Toyota or Jeep, I really was going for this, the engine was my main stopper.

I really do love seeing these Broncos around. They make the streets and trails look amazing.

 

[Brian_B]

The 2.3 does sound like a sewing machine but it will outmuscle the Pentastar all day long, especially with a tune

But the infotainment - yeah, I got nothing there

 

[stevenstommyboy1]

Did you actually get to off-road the Bronco? If not then not really a fair assessment. Sync works just fine in the Bronco and the 2.3 is a good engine with plenty of power for on and off road especially in a 2 dr. Enjoy your new jeep but you will wake at night wondering about the Bronco that could have been.

 

[Smocaine]

I ended up going for a Jeep Wrangler Sport 6MT, Jeep’s infotainment and screen is far superior, and the V6 kind of did it for me.

Make sure you do the life-extending oiling modifications, or you're going to be cursing yourself for taking that V6 real soon. Do some research on keeping it alive, because it is possibly the least reliable engine Mopar has ever squeezed out and it's got stiff competition for that spot.

 

[Jakob1972]

Just curious, did you get on the Jeep forum and ask about problems with those? I am surprised you went with the V6, I guess it is not bad if you can live with the Pentastar tick. I think the 4 cyl in the jeep would be a better option.

All kidding aside I hope you enjoy the Jeep those are some amazing off-roaders.

 

[bassist]

Well, thank you all.

I honestly was all in on the Bronco, but when I drove it I couldn’t do a Turbo 4-Cyl on a car like this. The infotainment is subpar, it hasn’t changed all that much in the last 10 years. I mean it has, but it also hasn’t.

I ended up going for a Jeep Wrangler Sport 6MT, Jeep’s infotainment and screen is far superior, and the V6 kind of did it for me.

I hate coming to a Ford forum to talk about Toyota or Jeep, I really was going for this, the engine was my main stopper.

I really do love seeing these Broncos around. They make the streets and trails look amazing.

The 2.7L V6 in the Bronco is a great engine.

But I think you made the right choice here.

If you sold the Toyota and got a higher spec Bronco, it would be different.

 

[garoto]

Did you actually get to off-road the Bronco? If not then not really a fair assessment. Sync works just fine in the Bronco and the 2.3 is a good engine with plenty of power for on and off road especially in a 2 dr. Enjoy your new jeep but you will wake at night wondering about the Bronco that could have been.

Possibly. Though I definitely felt good with the Jeep purchase. I hope they keep these Broncos coming for years to come.

 

[garoto]

Just curious, did you get on the Jeep forum and ask about problems with those? I am surprised you went with the V6, I guess it is not bad if you can live with the Pentastar tick. I think the 4 cyl in the jeep would be a better option.

All kidding aside I hope you enjoy the Jeep those are some amazing off-roaders.

I didn’t just because a friend owns one, so does my brother, and a 4DR owned by another friend. Their experiences were unanimously positive on the things I cared about, so didn’t bother to post on the forums.

As for the Broncos though, I came here because I genuinely knew nothing about them. And know no one who owns one. I see them everywhere in Austin though.

 

[MNBigfoot]

Well, thank you all.

I honestly was all in on the Bronco, but when I drove it I couldn’t do a Turbo 4-Cyl on a car like this. The infotainment is subpar, it hasn’t changed all that much in the last 10 years. I mean it has, but it also hasn’t.

I ended up going for a Jeep Wrangler Sport 6MT, Jeep’s infotainment and screen is far superior, and the V6 kind of did it for me.

I hate coming to a Ford forum to talk about Toyota or Jeep, I really was going for this, the engine was my main stopper.

I really do love seeing these Broncos around. They make the streets and trails look amazing.

If the infotainment (whatever the hell that is), was up high on your priority list, I agree a Bronco isn't right for you.

 

[bassist]

If the infotainment (whatever the hell that is), was up high on your priority list, I agree a Bronco isn't right for you.

So your assertion is that if someone cares about how they interact with their vehicle, they shouldn’t buy a Bronco?

 

[Jakob1972]

I didn’t just because a friend owns one, so does my brother, and a 4DR owned by another friend. Their experiences were unanimously positive on the things I cared about, so didn’t bother to post on the forums.

As for the Broncos though, I came here because I genuinely knew nothing about them. And know no one who owns one. I see them everywhere in Austin though.

I get that, Now the hard part is to find some good off-roading around here. Hidden Falls, is fun the first dozen times, Wolfs Caves is serious and Katemcy has some amazing trails, but my favorite Texas off-roading is Merus just the 7 hours to get there is a pain. just another day of driving I can get to Moab.

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