In 2021, Ford officially revived the Bronco name after more than two decades of absence. The sixth-generation Ford Bronco marks the return of the iconic American body-on-frame SUV with a retro-rugged spirit. From the start, the Bronco was designed as a direct competitor to the Jeep Wrangler, which has been the undisputed king of reconfigurable off-road SUVs.
- Base Trim Engine
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2.3L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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7-Speed Manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Four-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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275 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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315 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm
- Fuel Economy
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20/21 MPG
- Make
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Ford
- Model
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Bronco
- 0-60 MPH
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5.8-6.8 seconds
The 2024 Ford Bronco offers the same versatility and capability that have made the Jeep Wrangler a long-standing success. If you want to know what separates the romantic appeal of the Bronco from the realities of ownership, you’ve come to the right place. The unique style of the Ford Bronco may be alluring, but let’s decide if this American SUV fits your practical needs. Stick around as we detail and discuss warranty coverage, reliability, recalls, MPG figures, and how much a 2024 Ford Bronco, including the Big Bend model, costs today.
Why The Ford Bronco Is Back In Business
In our current SUV-dominated landscape, every day it gets more difficult to get excited about another SUV hitting the market. That’s the beauty of the Ford Bronco. It’s not just another SUV; it’s a lifestyle purchase.
What Makes The Ford Bronco Cool
If you desire features like a removable top, serious off-road chops, and undeniable styling, the Ford Bronco is almost guaranteed to be on your shortlist. The foundation of the 2024 Ford Bronco is its body-on-frame construction, standard 4×4 system, and its modular body panel design. The further appeal of the Ford Bronco is being a fully-functional daily driver with good on-road manners, along with its clear off-road capability. This blend of on-road comfort and off-road strength is what makes the Ford Bronco a standout SUV despite its domestic competition.
Who The Ford Bronco Is Built For
If you spend your weekends out on the trail more often than not, love personalization, and value resale strength, the Ford Bronco may fit your lifestyle seamlessly. If you want to know which trim level most Bronco owners select, the 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend is the best bang-for-buck trim available. For 2024, the Base trim was removed entirely from the lineup, making the Big Bend trim the entry-level model effectively. The Big Bend adds critical features like LED fog lights, a 12-inch infotainment system, and a leather steering wheel.
Most importantly, the Big Bend comes standard with 32-inch all-terrain tires mounted on six-spoke alloy 17-inch wheels, which are an essential aspect of the Bronco’s mean look and off-road functionality. The 2024 Ford Bronco may not be the most refined highway cruiser, but for the right individual, the tradeoff for enhanced capability is well worth it.
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Key Details To Know About The 2024 Ford Bronco
On paper, the Ford Bronco is a cool-looking and versatile off-road SUV. What that doesn’t tell you is anything about its reliability or safety standards, something that real owners care about. In this regard, the 2024 Ford Bronco has had mixed reviews, so let’s discuss the details you need to know.
2024 Ford Bronco Reliability Ratings
Despite the Ford Bronco’s appeal, its reliability has been disappointing so far. According to Consumer Reports owner reviews, the 2024 Ford Bronco has been subject to a myriad of issues, including:
- Faulty wiring harnesses
- Water leaks from the roof around the windows
- Towing issues related to braking and third-party braking systems
- Several software issues despite the OTA update capability
Compared to many mainstream crossover SUVs, the 2024 Ford Bronco has comparatively more issues. During its first few years, the Ford Bronco has also suffered from several major recalls that are still ongoing. The first model year of the sixth and current-generation Ford Bronco was expected to have some hiccups, but 16 recalls are well above average for a new model. While some of these recalls are serious inconveniences, like the constant rearview camera issues, many are full-blown safety hazards that can have catastrophic results.
Ford Bronco Recalls
The first Ford Bronco recall was a 2021 issue related to the passenger airbag, which could deploy prematurely. Then there was another 2021 issue where the radar module that controls the adaptive cruise control and other safety features could malfunction or not work at all. Later, in 2022, an issue with the child safety lock malfunctioning occurred on the passenger side rear door. Also, in 2022, there was a rearview camera malfunction with eight-inch infotainment screen models that was alleviated by a software update. In late 2022, side impact sensors also malfunctioned, causing the airbags to deploy unintentionally or not at all.
After that, in 2023, the same rearview camera malfunction reared its ugly head again and was supposedly fixed through another software update. Again, in 2023, another issue with the front seat safety belt latches was fixed by a dealer-installed sliding clip latch stop. As if the rearview camera couldn’t get any worse, a new separate recall was announced in late 2023 due to a fault resulting in no image being displayed when the vehicle was placed in reverse.
The Ford Bronco had a good run until August 2024, when the most catastrophic recall to date occurred: an intake valve failure that could require a full engine replacement. 90,736 units were affected, including other Ford models using the 2.7-liter or 3.0-liter Nano EcoBoost engine. The Bronco’s unique HOSS 1.0 system showed its first real sign of weakness in a January 2025 recall affecting 149,449 units, in which the external reservoir can fall off entirely due to corroded and failing rear dampers.In the seemingly endless saga of Bronco rearview camera issues, another two May 2025 rearview camera recalls were issued, affecting a total of 188,357 vehicles. Other recalls specific to the 2024 Bronco include an incorrectly installed front upper control arm ball joint and associated fasteners, incorrectly installed high-pressure fuel pump bolts, and the engine block heater cracking, resulting in a coolant leak that can lead to a short circuit and subsequent electrical fire.
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Key Specs And Ownership Costs Of The Ford Bronco
Here are the specs you should know about the Ford Bronco, along with how these factors affect fuel, insurance, and running costs. Our focus will be on the 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend, as it is the most popular high-value model chosen by the majority of Bronco owners.
Key Specs Of The 2024 Bronco
The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend is available exclusively with the 300-horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost inline-four. The optional 330-horsepower 2.7-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 was only available on higher trims like the Outer Banks trim. The two-door seven-speed manual transmission Big Bend model weighs about 4,304 pounds, while the four-door seven-speed manual variant comes in at about 4,466 pounds. Ten-speed automatic models weigh a bit more, at about 4,577 pounds.
The 2024 Big Bend offers about 20 MPG combined, while V-6 models drop to about 17 MPG combined. The Ford Bronco Raptor and Sasquatch Package-equipped Bronco get the worst gas mileage, with about 15 MPG combined for the Raptor and 17 MPG combined for the Sasquatch Package-equipped Bronco models.
Cost To Own: Warranty, Depreciation, and Market Prices
The Ford Bronco comes with a three-year, 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Depending on trim level, used prices of 2024 Bronco models vary significantly. Kelley Blue Book’s Fair Purchase Price puts a two-door Big Bend at $35,100, a four-door Outer Banks at $40,300, and the four-door Raptor at $63,900.
One of the most alluring aspects of the Ford Bronco is its impressive resale value, which is better than that of the Jeep Wrangler and most vehicles on the market. In our own independent research, the cheapest 2024 Ford Bronco we could find was about $36,000 from a private sale and $37,000 from dealer inventory. Whether it is low supply or high demand, the Ford Bronco has shown impressive price resilience and is a key factor in this American SUV’s appeal.
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Other Things Worth Knowing About The Ford Bronco
Now that you have a better idea of the Ford Bronco’s reliability, recall history, specs, and market value, here’s how to choose the right 2024 Bronco model for your needs.
The Best Ford Bronco Trims And Options
If you are on the lookout for a 2024 Ford Bronco, the two-door Big Bend trim is the best bang-for-buck option. If you need more off-road capability, Sasquatch Package models include 35-inch wheels, increased ride height, and an automatic on-demand 4×4 system engagement with locking front and rear differentials. This off-road package provides extreme performance, but you will pay additional costs in MPG losses and increased road noise.
If that’s a little too hardcore, but you still want additional capability without sacrificing on-road manners, there is the Black Diamond Package available on Big Bend models. This package adds the automatic on-demand 4×4 system, a full vehicle skid plate system, rock rails, and the electronic-locking rear axle with an updated 4.46 final drive ratio. Another alternative for increased off-road capability is the Badlands model, which adds Bilstein position-sensitive dampers, a front sway bar disconnect system, front and rear locking differentials, and 33-inch all-terrain tires. If you know your Bronco will see the city more than the trail, the Big Bend comes with more than enough off-road capability as is and is worth every dollar in terms of overall value.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Considering the not-so-good recall record of the Ford Bronco, your first course of action when shopping is to confirm there are no outstanding recalls for the specific model you are looking at with a VIN check. If the recalls have been performed, ask for receipts. If you are buying a Ford Bronco with heavy off-road use, consider a full underbody inspection, as off-roading has increased wear on key components like the drivetrain and suspension. Off-road tires like those found on the Big Bend and quicker gear ratios mean increased noise and replacement costs while reducing MPG figures. Always thoroughly check the available inventory in your area to confirm real-time market values. The 2024 Ford Bronco has a lot to offer the right buyer, and with some diligence, you, too, can score a deal on a bold off-roader with stunning resale value.
Sources: Ford, Consumer Reports, Kelley Blue Book, NHTSA