The Ford Bronco is a legendary off-road vehicle that has been popular with enthusiasts for decades. The Bronco’s reintroduction in 2021 was met with great anticipation and excitement by thousands upon thousands of Bronco enthusiasts.
However, as with any new vehicle, there have been some reported issues. One of the most significant problems that have been reported by some Ford Bronco owners is engine trouble. The engine problems with the new Ford Bronco can be quite concerning for owners. From the vehicle stalling unexpectedly to experiencing a sudden loss of power, these issues can be frustrating and potentially dangerous.
Many owners have taken their vehicles to service centers and dealerships to address these engine problems, and some have even had to replace their engines entirely. The most serious Ford Bronco engine problems include valve issues which can lead to terminal engine damage, faulty turbo wastegates, overheating, and metal shavings in the engine cavity.
These issues are all fairly serious but they aren’t equally as common. If you want to know more about these problems and what you can do to avoid or mitigate them, be sure to read this article as we are going to do a deep dive into all of these problems in this very article!
Valve Issues
Likely the most concerning issue you can encounter with the 2.7L EcoBoost engine is terminal engine damage caused by broken valves and severely damaged engine internals such as the block or the head. These problems are affecting earlier Bronco models as some sources state that the reason behind these problems is a bad batch of valves.
These also state that from July to October 2021 Bronco models are the most likely to suffer from these issues. NHTSA stated that more than 25,000 Bronco models have been investigated for this problem while Ford didn’t come out with any official statement as of right now. We will have to wait and see how this problem is going to unfold in the coming years.
Turbocharger Wastegate Problems
Base engine Ford Bronco 2.3L owners have reported issues with the vehicle’s engine, specifically related to turbocharger wastegate problems. These problems have caused the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, experience a sudden loss of power, or misfire. In some cases, the vehicle’s check engine light has come on, indicating a problem with the turbocharger wastegate.
Owners have also reported that their vehicles required significant repairs or expensive part replacements to fix the issue. The best thing to do to repair this problem is to replace the entire turbo which is extremely expensive, but necessary if you don’t want to cause any more damage to the powertrain.
Overheating
Overheating is a common problem reported in the Ford Bronco online community. Many owners have reported overheating issues, especially during off-road driving or in hot weather conditions. Some of the most common reasons for overheating in Ford Broncos are coolant leaks, water pump issues, failed thermostats, radiator fan malfunction, and blocked radiator cores.
Additionally, some drivers have reported that their Bronco vehicles overheated even when they were not off-roading or driving in hot weather, which indicates that there may be other issues contributing to the problem. To address the overheating issues, some owners have opted to upgrade their radiators or install additional cooling fans to improve engine performance and prevent overheating.
Metal Shavings in Engine Cavity
Metal shavings or pieces in the engine cavity are a potentially serious issue reported by some owners of the 2022 Ford Bronco. Metal shavings or pieces can enter the engine cavity for various reasons, including manufacturing defects, wear and tear, or inadequate maintenance. If metal shavings or pieces are left unchecked, they can cause severe damage to internal engine parts, such as engine bearings, camshafts, and pistons.
A thorough inspection and diagnosis can help identify the cause of the problem and prevent further damage or failure. In some cases, the engine may need to be repaired or replaced, and it is important to understand your vehicle’s warranty protection information and seek assistance from an authorized repair technician. Remember, regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent all of this from ever taking place.
FAQ Section
Should I Buy a Ford Bronco?
If you are a fan of SUVs, but you aren’t too fussed about luxury and “status perception“, the Ford Bronco could be a perfect SUV for you. There are many reasons why one should consider buying the Bronco, the main ones are great off-roading capabilities, very rugged looks, lots of space, huge amounts of mods, and very good resale values.
The Bronco is designed for a more adventurous owner, but if you aren’t all that interested in off-roading, the Bronco Sport can also be a very good option. Lastly, the main reason why you should consider the Bronco is the versatility as you can get it with either 2 or 4 doors, you can take the roof off, you can take the doors off, and you can even get it with a manual gearbox.
What Is the Difference between the Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport?
The Bronco, originally produced from 1966 to 1996, has recently been revitalized by Ford with two different models: the full-size Bronco (2-door and 4-door) and the smaller Bronco Sport. While both models are designed for off-road adventures, the Bronco is a larger and more rugged SUV with two-door and four-door options, while the Bronco Sport is a smaller crossover SUV designed for daily driving.
Both models are well-equipped with advanced features and provide a sophisticated, comfortable ride for their passengers. The big Bronco has stronger engines, offers a Raptor model, has more trim levels to choose from, has more space, and costs more money than the Bronco Sport.
Is the Ford Bronco Reliable?
Since its release in 2021, the Ford Bronco had enjoyed a fairly mixed reception when it comes to reliability as many people have reported all kinds of problems. However, Ford did make adjustments with later models which means that the reliability is improving with later production models.
Either way, we can’t say that the Bronco is unreliable, but we can say that you should be a bit careful when buying one as you want to get it thoroughly checked for any issues or potential signs of trouble.
