Worried about used Ford Bronco reliability? Our buying guide is here to help you explore this rugged SUV’s known issues. By knowing what to expect, you can take preventative measures to steer clear of trouble!
Key Takeaways:
- Broncos equipped with the electronic brake booster require a software update before they can be safely flat-towed.
- To avoid costly damage, follow the owner’s manual instructions on how to flat-tow your Bronco to the letter!
- Most of the Bronco’s common problems, including a faulty ignition module, generally occur on older, high-mileage models.
- Check the NHTSA website for any outstanding recall repairs on your used Bronco!
- At Lafayette Ford, our used Bronco SUVs exceed expectations for quality and reliability.
What Are Some Common Issues With the Ford Bronco?
As of this writing, most of the modern Bronco’s known issues have been tackled by recalls (see below). Perhaps in time, more the sixth-generation Bronco (2021-current model year) drivers will turn up with overlapping complaints. Until then, we have a word of caution about flat-towing these SUVs, along with a few of the older models’ known issues!
Flat-Towing Your Bronco
If you plan to flat-tow a 2021-2022 Bronco or 2022-2023 Bronco Raptor equipped with the electronic brake booster (EBB), it’s essential that you verify whether the vehicle has had all of its software updates. Because of an issue with supplemental braking systems not being able to account for the fact that the EBB eventually goes into sleep mode, drivers originally had issues flat-towing these Broncos.
A software update, released in September 2022, fixes this problem. Without the update, you’ll need to follow some extra steps in order to flat-tow a 2021-2022 Bronco equipped with EBB. Your local Ford dealer can help you figure out whether your used Bronco has this software update or not!
Whatever the model year or transmission type, take extra care when flat-towing your Bronco. We have seen more than a few drivers burn up their transmission because they didn’t carefully follow instructions. In your vehicle’s owner manual, you’ll find two different guides for “Recreationally Towing Your Vehicle” — one for the manual transmission and one for the automatic transmission. Make sure to follow the correct guide for your vehicle! Skipping any steps could lead to catastrophic transmission damage or fire.
Exhaust Leak
This is a high-mileage issue that we generally see in older, fifth-generation Broncos (1992-1996). If a tube in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system breaks, it’ll cause an exhaust leak under the hood. You may also hear a rattling sound while the engine is running.
Dead Ignition Module
A failed ignition module is very common for high-mileage, 90s-era Broncos. Drivers will experience intermittent stalling. After a wait period of 20 minutes to an hour, the vehicle may restart again and drive for a while before stalling again.
Are There Open Recalls for the Latest Generation of Broncos?
Although there aren’t many common customer complaints concerning the most recent generation of Ford Broncos, plenty of problems have been resolved through safety recalls. When you purchase your used Bronco, run its VIN through the NHTSA recall-check page to verify that it’s had any necessary repairs. To give you an idea of how important this step is, we’ve listed a few of the Bronco’s recalls below.
Faulty Rear Shocks
Some 2021-2024 Ford Broncos were recalled due to potentially faulty rear shock absorbers. These shocks may corrode, allowing the vehicle’s external reservoir to detach and increasing the odds of an accident.
2.7L EcoBoost Loses Drive Power
Some 2021-2022 Broncos equipped with the 2.7-liter or 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine were recalled because of potentially faulty engine intake valves. The intake valves could potentially break off while you’re driving, leading to engine failure and loss of motive power. Without a way to move forward in traffic, the risk of an accident goes way up.
Should You Buy a Used Ford Bronco?
At Lafayette Ford, we only sell the best pre-owned vehicles we can find. All of the used Broncos on our lot have been inspected by our experienced technicians, because we want our customers to drive home in a safe, reliable SUV. Come see for yourself! Call or text us to schedule a test-drive in one (or more) of our used Ford Broncos.