7 Reasons to Think Twice Before Buying a Ford Bronco

Discover the 7 frustrating things about the Ford Bronco that drivers often overlook. From missing convenience features to engine reliability issues, find out why you should think twice before buying.

Christen da Costa Avatar
Christen da Costa Avatar

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Ford’s reborn Bronco commands attention on every street corner – but that powerful presence comes with a hefty price tag, both upfront and down the road. As supply chain issues and dealer markups push prices skyward, smart buyers need the full story before jumping into Ford’s latest adventure machine. Gearheads dreaming of open-air escapades in this modern icon deserve to know the mechanical, financial, and practical realities that lurk beneath its rugged exterior. This deep dive examines seven crucial factors that potential Bronco buyers often overlook, from parts availability to real-world fuel economy, helping you make an informed decision about this celebrated but complex SUV.

7. Lack Of Modern Convenience Features

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Modern Convenience Features fall short of luxury SUV standards. The interior materials prioritize durability over premium feel. Basic amenities like heated seats and dual-zone climate control require choosing higher trim levels. The removable panels create excellent open-air experiences but introduce complexity to daily operations. Interior storage solutions favor utility over sophistication.

6. Forget About Steering And Braking Feedback

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The Bronco’s off-road-focused suspension design prioritizes articulation over on-road precision, which changes how braking and steering feedback feel. The steering ratio works well for trail navigation but requires more attention during highway driving. The brake pedal feel changes noticeably when transitioning from pavement to dirt roads, too. These traits enhance off-road capability but will require a shift in your daily driving.

5. Driver Assistance Features

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The Bronco offers only basic safety systems like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking but doesn’t have much in the way of advanced driver assistance. Advanced features like adaptive cruise control and lane centering assist are also less refined than competing systems. The high hood line and large pillars create blind spots that make urban driving harder, bu parking sensors and cameras help a bit with visibility.

4. Audio System Is Far From Great

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The base audio system includes six speakers that struggle to deliver clear sound at highway speeds. Even the upgraded 10-speaker system lacks the clarity and bass response found in similarly priced vehicles. If you drive with the top down, the wind noise will only worsen audio quality, and to cap it all off, the controls feel dated compared to modern touchscreen interfaces. You may prefer physical interfaces since there’s always the concern over durability and cost of replacement, but even if you find physical buttons a plus, there’s no getting over the poor audio quality.

3. Fender Flares Are Super Easy To Detach

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The fender flares are designed for easy removal, which sounds great for customization but creates potential security concerns. Wind noise can also develop around the flares at highway speeds, while the attachment points may collect debris during off-road adventures. Regular inspection and cleaning of the mounting points help prevent potential issues, but if you’re not on top of it, you could end up with flares that are either impossible to put on or take off.

2. Fuel Economy Disappointments

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The Bronco’s aerodynamic profile and substantial weight result in EPA ratings of 17 city/17 highway mpg for the manual transmission models. Frankly speaking: that’s not great. The automatic transmission versions perform slightly better but the Bronco still falls short of competitors. Worse still, real-world driving often yields even lower numbers, especially when equipped with larger tires or roof racks. Most owners report averaging 15-16 mpg in mixed driving conditions, which is poor – expect frequent fillups.

1. Engine Problems

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The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine experiences occasional issues with premature wear on cylinder walls, so be ready for potential engine issues. Ford engineers designed this engine to deliver 330 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, impressive numbers – but can strain internal components. Some owners report oil consumption issues after reaching 30,000 miles, and the fact the engine requires premium fuel to achieve its rated performance figures only adds to long-term ownership costs. Regular maintenance is crucial with this sophisticated powerplant.

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