2024 Ford Bronco: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, transmission, and body and structure. The 10 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

2024

Owner complaints: 104
Recalls: 17; 1 urgent
Crashes reported: 6; 1 injury
Reliability: Mixed; 58/100 on Auto Reliability Index

One recall on this model year told owners to stop driving until the repair was done.

Do not buy until you have dealer paperwork or a recall lookup showing it was completed for this VIN.

Which Bronco is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2024 Ford Bronco. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.

Version	Drive	EPA rating
2.3L 4-cyl	4WD	20 mpg
2.7L 6-cyl	4WD	20 mpg
3.0L 6-cyl	4WD	15 mpg

The 2024 Ford Bronco was sold in three versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Bronco that averages well under the EPA 15 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.

Check the odometer against these mileages

Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.

Transmission fails to engage gear
2,300–2,500 miles

0 mi25k50k

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2024 Ford Bronco, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

Electrical212 crashes
The 12V battery drains, won't hold a charge, and leaves cars needing jump starts. Some owners are stranded within weeks of purchase. Battery saver mode and BCM faults come up again and again, and auto start/stop quits early on. Another group of reports describes rodents chewing soy-based wire insulation under the car, which sets off warning lights and causes no-starts. There are also reports of overheating, power loss when pulling away from a stop, an undercarriage fire, and airbags that did not deploy in a crash. Several owners say a recall software update set off a flood of error codes.
Transmission183 crashes
The transmission fails to go into gear, stays stuck in reverse, or doesn't hold in park. Reports describe rollaways, a vehicle that ended up underwater, and an injury crash. Gear failures show up as early as 2,300 to 2,500 miles. Many owners get repeated Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power warnings and lose acceleration, sometimes on the highway. These often come after 20 minutes of driving and clear after a restart. Other reports describe rough idle, shaking, RPM surges, and a chirping front driveshaft. Dealers have replaced some transmissions, and one fire followed a Service 4WD message.
Body and structure9No crashes
Removable hard tops crack and let moisture into the panels, and owners worry about mold. Roofs leak onto the rear seats through the front seals. One dealer called the leak common and suggested parking the car facing a different direction instead of fixing it. Rear quarter glass cracks under recall 24S10 because the glass adhesive fails, and moonroofs have burst outward. Other reports describe a soft top rear trim cover that won't sit flush, exterior plastic that bubbles and peels, and a side pillar that blocks the view of merging traffic.
Brakes61 crash
When the vehicle is flat-towed in neutral tow mode with a supplemental braking system, the brakes switch on and lock all four wheels. Several reports describe this happening more than once. Other failures include a soft pedal with a brake warning light, traced to a leaking vacuum hose at about 48,000 miles. Owners also report a seized caliper that destroyed a rotor with no warning light, and a faulty brake actuator that triggered brake, powertrain, and pre-collision fault messages. One crash involved brakes that did not respond for 2 to 3 seconds while cruise control was on.
Engine5No crashes
Most of these reports are about fire-risk recalls that have no remedy yet. Owners cite a fuel injector recall, 25V467, say they are afraid to drive, and want to return the vehicle. One car caught fire while being driven, starting on the passenger side of the engine bay, and was a total loss. Another owner reports overheating and a fuel tank replacement handled under a customer satisfaction program, not a safety recall. One complaint says auto start/stop stopped working after recall 24S24 and the battery tested at 57%.
Steering5No crashes
The front end keeps falling out of alignment. Owners describe rapid front tire wear and a hard pull to the left starting around 3,500 miles, and repeated alignments don't fix it. One report says the steering stops responding while the engine is shut off by auto stop, and that the driver nearly got hit by an emergency vehicle as a result. Other complaints describe chattering when turning right, traced to the rear differential, and lane keeping assistance steering the vehicle off the highway.
Wipers and visibility4No crashes
Glass cracks or breaks without an obvious cause. Windshields crack from the inside while parked in the sun or with the defroster running, at roughly 3,000 to 3,500 miles. A moonroof burst upward at highway speed at about 2,000 miles, and Ford denied the warranty claim. One side window fell out of the car at 365 miles. None of these reports came with a warning light, and most cars had not been repaired when the complaint was filed.
Exterior lights4No crashes
In freezing weather, ice and snow build up on the LED headlights and fog lights until they light too little of the road to drive safely at moderate speeds. Owners blame the upright lamp design and the lack of a heater in the housing. Most reports describe this in snow, sleet, or freezing fog. In another case, condensation inside the headlight housings dimmed the beams at about 3,500 miles when temperatures were below 50 degrees.

In owners' own words

Excerpts from complaints Bronco owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.

ElectricalCrash reported

My backup camera one two separate occasions has not operated properly. First time it never showed a vehicle had come up behind me. Didn’t go off with any notice. I backed into a car. Second time a man with a cart walk behind as I was backing out no notice. There is a recall on review camera but not on my vin.

Filed with NHTSA, May 2025

ElectricalCrash reported

Vehicle sustained significant front-end impact in a collision, but none of the airbags deployed. Front bumper, hood, and frame sustained visible damage. Concern that sensors or airbag system failed to activate during qualifying crash.

Filed with NHTSA, November 2025

TransmissionCrash reported

I believe the transmission has an issue. The car was started and it quickly went into reverse and sped up trapping my wife between the door and a tree as she was exiting the vehicle to swap seats for me to drive. No known warnings were issued by the vehicle prior to the incident on 6/7/2025. The previous recall for the BCM & PCM was completed on 2/27/2025 by our local Ford dealer

Filed with NHTSA, June 2025

Transmission

Powertrain malfunctions have occurred on 12/17/24, 4/11/25 and 10/5/25. Powertrain malfunction and yes. The car would not accelerate and someone could of ran into me, I could of been killed or badly injured and same for any other occupants in the either vehicle. Yes. Yes. The messages appeared on 12/17/24, 4/11/25 and 10/5/25.

Filed with NHTSA, October 2025

Body and structure

Side pillar is blocking view to see if a car is coming, side mirrors do not help. In order to accurately see, you have to completely turn your head to see if you can get over taking your eyes off of the road. This could result in a crash.

Filed with NHTSA, April 2025

Body and structure

Moof roof popped up from the center ripping at all edges, causing loud boom sound. Glass shattered. No drastic change in temperature. No impact of object. Newly purchased. Dropped off at dealership to investigate.

Filed with NHTSA, December 2024

Brakes

The caliber seized causing the brake pad the fall and destroy the rotator. No brake indicators like turned on to advised of an issue. Ford does not want to take full responsibility for the faulty part that could have caused a major accident. Ford case# CXH06202259-S8K4B1. The vehicle is still at Ford for the repair so I don't have the repair documents yet.

Filed with NHTSA, November 2025

Brakes

When towing the vehicle in neutral tow mode, while using a suplimental braking system in the bronco, the brakes changed from a not active "vacuum " state, to and Active "powered" state, causing the brakes to lock up on the bronco. This has happened on multiple occasions. Very dangerous and damaging.

Filed with NHTSA, February 2025

How the 2024 compares with other Bronco years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2024 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 5 Bronco years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2024 Average of other years

Electrical2171
Transmission1861
Body and structure90
Brakes645
Engine544
Steering510

Recalls to confirm (17)

Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

25V308000SuspensionDo not driveMay 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Bronco vehicles. The front lower control arm fasteners may not have been tightened properly, allowing the control arm to detach from the frame.
Risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. Dealers will inspect and verify that the lower control arm fasteners are tightened properly. If a fastener is loose or missing, the dealer will replace the fastener. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S48.
25V685000EquipmentOct 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated February 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
25V597000Fuel systemSep 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. The bolts securing the high pressure fuel pump may not be tightened properly, which can result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump mounting bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S90.
25V467000Fuel systemJul 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will update the engine control software. and replace the high pressure fuel rail assembly and the fuel injector ,free of charge. As an interim repair, dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 29, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S76. This recall expands and replaces previous recall numbers 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165 will need to have the new final remedy performed once it is available.
25V442000Backup cameraJun 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
25V315000Backup cameraMay 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.
25V310000SuspensionMay 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. The front upper control arm ball joint fastener may be missing or tightened improperly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly.
Risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the ball joint fastener as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S45.
25V303000Door latches and locksMay 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Bronco vehicles. The left-side rear door may be opened from the inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position.
Risk: A malfunctioning child safety lock that allows a rear door to be opened unintentionally can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the child safety locks and replace the rear door latch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S15. This recall expands previous recall number 24V-189.
25V164000TransmissionMar 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
Risk: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
25V158000TransmissionMar 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-267. The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.
Risk: An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will recalibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S26.
25V025000SuspensionJan 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir.
Risk: An external reservoir that detaches from a vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear shock absorbers, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S01.
24V770000SuspensionOct 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ranger, and 2024-2025 Bronco vehicles. The front upper control arm ball joint nut may not have been installed or tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly.
Risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and verify that the ball joint fastener is tightened properly. If a fastener is loose or missing, the dealer will replace the ball joint and knuckle assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 20, 2024. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S64.
24V683000TransmissionSep 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Bronco Sport vehicles. The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.
Risk: An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the body control module and powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S60. Vehicles in this recall that were previously recalled for the same issue under 24V-267 will need to have the new remedy performed.
24V594000Wipers and visibilityAug 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Maverick, Ford Bronco Sport, and Mustang Mach-E vehicles. The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield wiper motor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 6, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S51.
24V267000ElectricalApr 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.
Risk: An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will recalibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 4, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S24.
24V189000Door latches and locksMar 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Bronco 4-door vehicles. The left-side rear door may be opened from the inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position.
Risk: A malfunctioning child safety lock that allows a rear door to be opened unintentionally can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the child safety locks and replace the rear door latch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 9, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S15.
24V142000Wipers and visibilityFeb 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Bronco and Bronco Heritage vehicles. The rear quarter glass panels may have been improperly installed to the vehicle hard top, which can allow them to detach.
Risk: Detached rear glass panels may create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the rear glass panels on Bronco vehicles. On Bronco Heritage vehicles, dealers will replace the rear left-hand removable quarter glass panel. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Bronco owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2024. Bronco Heritage owner letters were mailed June 12, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S10.