Is the Ford Bronco (2nd Gen) reliable?

Our reliability score for the Ford Bronco (2nd Gen) is 7/10 (70/100), which puts it as reasonably reliable. Expect ordinary maintenance plus a few known issues by 150,000 miles. RepairPal rates it 3.5/5.

How much does it cost to own a Ford Bronco (2nd Gen) per year?

Total estimated annual ownership cost for a Ford Bronco (2nd Gen) is approximately $3,600 for a 25-year-old male driver. This includes fuel at current US average prices, insurance, scheduled maintenance, tires, and oil changes. The 40-year-old female estimate is $2,800.

What is the Ford Bronco (2nd Gen) gas mileage?

EPA combined fuel economy for the Ford Bronco (2nd Gen) is 22 MPG, with 17 MPG city and 22 MPG highway.

Is the Ford Bronco (2nd Gen) safe?

Our safety score for the Ford Bronco (2nd Gen) is 7/10 (70/100), which means it is reasonably safe, with most modern active safety features. IIHS rates the crash protection not_tested. NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Is the Ford Bronco (2nd Gen) a good first car?

Not according to our criteria. Good first cars need a safety score 7.5+, insurance under $2,200/yr for a 25-year-old male, repairability score 7.0+, low rollover risk, and compact dimensions. The Ford Bronco (2nd Gen) misses on at least one of these.

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Ford Bronco (2nd Gen)

2021-present · Ford Bronco

71out of 100

The 2021+ Bronco is genuinely capable off-road and far more livable on the highway than the Wrangler it competes with. Buy 2023 or newer to avoid the early production problems; choose the 2.3L.

Score breakdown

70/ 100Reliability×3.0 66/ 100True Annual Cost×1.5 70/ 100Safety×1.0 70/ 100Practicality×3.0 80/ 100Repairability×1.5

Our take

What it really is

Ford spent 25 years away from the body-on-frame off-road SUV market. The result is a vehicle that learned from the Wrangler — the things it got right and the things it did not. The Bronco rides on a modified Ranger frame, uses the HOSS (High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension) system across multiple trims, and comes in two-door and four-door configurations. Both share fully removable doors, modular roof panels, and a fold-down windshield. The Sasquatch Package adds 35-inch tires, front and rear electronic lockers, and wide-track Dana axles from the factory. Without it, the Bronco is a capable trail vehicle. With it, it runs with the Wrangler Rubicon.

Why it's on this list

The Bronco beats the Wrangler on NHTSA safety ratings, interior quality, highway manners, and driver assist technology. The 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder (300 hp) is well-proven across the Ranger and Mustang platforms and is the better long-term engine choice. Modern features — SYNC 4, trail cameras, selectable drive modes, and a large touchscreen — make it the more refined all-rounder. Resale values have stayed strong since launch, which reflects real demand.

The honest trade-offs

Production problems plagued 2021 and 2022 models. Widespread soft-top quality issues — leaks, wind noise, failed latches, fabric tears — affected early cars. Ford also issued a recall for the modular hardtop (MIC top cracking). Many issues were resolved under warranty, but inspect any pre-2023 example carefully. Dealer markups at launch were severe and may still inflate asking prices on early used examples. The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 adds power but comes with higher maintenance costs and some early reports of oil consumption. Base models without the Sasquatch Package are a poor off-road choice — the stock tires are a real limitation.

What to buy and what to avoid

2023 or newer to avoid the soft-top and hardtop quality issues from the first two model years. The Badlands trim with Sasquatch Package is the best value for buyers who want genuine off-road capability without paying Bronco Raptor prices. The 2.3L EcoBoost is the engine to choose. Avoid 2021 model year entirely. If you are looking at a 2022, confirm the MIC top (if equipped) is a revised unit and check the soft-top latches before you buy.

Annual cost of ownership

Fuel (12k mi)

$1,800 (USD)^[5]

Tires (prorated)

$400 (USD)

Insurance (25yr male)

$2,400 (USD)^[8]

Insurance (40yr female)

$1,600 (USD)^[8]

Total (25yr male)

$3,600 (USD)

Total (40yr female)

$2,800 (USD)

Key specs

MPG combined

22^[5]

MPG city / hwy

17 / 22^[5]

Engine

EcoBoost 2.3L I-4 (base) / EcoBoost 2.7L V-6 (optional)

Horsepower

300 hp

Torque

310 lb-ft

Seats

Cargo (behind 2nd row)

23.6 cu ft

Cargo max

77.6 cu ft

Tow capacity

3,500 lbs

Ground clearance

9.6"

Stock tires

255/70R18

Body

SUV

Rear seats

60/40 split

Safety

NHTSA overall

4/5 ★^[2]

IIHS rating

Not Tested^[4]

Rust vulnerability

Frame rust risk

Low

Reliability data

RepairPal annual cost

$680 (USD)^[1]

Industry avg annual cost

$652 (USD)^[1]

RepairPal rating

3.5/5^[1]

Unscheduled visits/yr

0.7^[1]

Severe issue probability

10%^[1]

250k-mile survival

42%^[7]

Repairability

Headlight type

Halogen

DIY replacement cost

$50 (USD)

At major retailer

Yes

Headlight benchmark

8/10

References

Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.

[1]dataset
RepairPal
Annual maintenance cost, reliability rating, unscheduled visit frequency, severe issue probability
[2]government
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
Overall crash test stars, rollover risk %, rollover stars, frontal and side ratings
[3]government
NHTSA Technical Service Bulletins
Manufacturer-acknowledged technical issues and dealer fixes
[4]dataset
IIHS Safety Ratings
Small overlap, side impact, overall safety rating, Top Safety Pick status
[5]government
EPA Fuel Economy Guide
MPG city/highway/combined, fuel grade required, tank size
[6]forum thread
CarComplaints
Most complained-about model years, common failure patterns by year and mileage band
[7]dataset
iSeeCars Long-Term Reliability
250k-mile survival rate, depreciation curve, best age to buy used
[8]publication
Bankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates
Insurance cost estimates by vehicle class and driver profile

Before you buy

Looking to buy a Ford Bronco?

Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.

Get the checklist