The Ford Bronco is genuinely one of the best trucks on the market right now. The reviews back it up, the reliability has improved year over year, and the ownership experience for people who actually use them off-road is hard to match at any price point. It is also one of the easiest trucks to buy wrong the first time, and the mistakes tend to be expensive ones.
Here are the 10 buying mistakes that show up most often in first-time Bronco purchases, in the order they are most likely to cost you.
1. Skipping the Sasquatch Package and Regretting It Within Six Months
The Sasquatch Package adds 35-inch tires, a front locking differential, wider fender flares, and a stronger front axle. It is not a luxury trim add-on. It is a capability package that changes what the truck can actually do off-road, and most buyers who skip it to save money end up wanting it within the first year.
Adding those capabilities after the fact costs significantly more than getting them from the factory. Aftermarket 35s, a leveling kit to clear them, and an aftermarket locker together run $3,000 to $5,000 installed. The Sasquatch Package at the dealer is almost always cheaper and cleaner. If you are buying a Bronco for anything beyond pavement, this is the one factory option worth prioritizing over everything else.
2. Not Checking Open Recalls on the VIN Before You Sign Anything
The 2021-2026 Ford Bronco reliability story has improved significantly over the years, but the early model years accumulated a meaningful number of NHTSA recalls. The 2022 alone had 17. Several involve the drivetrain, hardtop, brakes, and rearview camera system.
Buying a used Bronco without checking the VIN at nhtsa.gov first means you could be taking on someone else's unresolved recall paperwork. All recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer regardless of warranty status, but only if they have been completed before you buy. Verify before you sign. Our post on Ford Bronco reliability by model year breaks down which years carry the most risk and what to look for specifically.
3. Not Deciding Between 2-Door and 4-Door Before You Start Shopping
The 2-door and 4-door Bronco are different trucks in more ways than the obvious ones. Rear legroom, cargo space, trail maneuverability, and aftermarket parts fitment all differ between configurations. Rock sliders, rear bumpers, soft top accessories, and several interior parts are door-config specific. A 2-door slider does not fit a 4-door, full stop.
Decide which configuration matches your actual life before you fall in love with a specific truck on a lot. Switching after the fact is not an option without a new purchase, and this is the decision that affects every other mod you ever buy for the truck.
4. Choosing a Trim Based on Looks Instead of What It Actually Includes
The Bronco trim lineup runs from Base to Raptor and the differences are not cosmetic. The Badlands comes with a front locker without needing Sasquatch. The Wildtrak runs a different suspension tune. The Everglades comes with a factory snorkel and an integrated winch from the factory. The Black Diamond skips some comfort features to keep weight down.
Buying a trim because it looked good in a photo and then discovering it lacks a feature you actually needed is one of the most common first-time buyer mistakes in the Bronco lineup. Know what each trim includes before you shop, not after the paperwork is signed.
5. Ignoring the Hard Top vs Soft Top Decision Until It Is Too Late to Change
The removable hard top and soft top are completely different ownership experiences, and this choice affects daily usability more than almost any other option on the truck. The modular hard top is heavier, requires real storage space when removed, takes two people to remove safely, and was the subject of multiple NHTSA recalls on 2021-2022 models for leaks and panel cracking.
The soft top is lighter, easier to operate, and can fold back quickly for open-air driving, but it is louder at highway speeds and offers less insulation and security. This is not a minor preference. It is a daily decision you will make every time weather changes. Read our full breakdown on Ford Bronco soft top and hard top problems before you commit to either one.
6. Not Budgeting for Mods on Top of the Purchase Price
Are Broncos expensive? The truck itself is one answer. The total cost of ownership is a different number entirely.
Most Bronco owners spend money on aftermarket parts within the first year, often more than they expected. Rock sliders, skid plates, a steel bumper, and a winch together can add $3,000 to $6,000 on top of what you paid for the truck. Buyers who stretch their budget on the purchase price often end up driving an unprotected Bronco on trails it should not be on without proper gear underneath it.
Budget for the build, not just the truck. Our guide on what to figure out before modding your Ford Bronco covers this in detail before you start spending.
7. Buying a Used Bronco Without a Pre-Purchase Inspection
A pre-purchase inspection from an independent Ford technician costs $100 to $200 and can save you thousands. Used Broncos with trail damage, underbody hits, flood exposure, or prior transmission work are not always disclosed by private sellers, and none of it shows up on a Carfax.
An inspection catches deferred recall repairs, underbody damage from trail use, and mechanical issues that do not surface on a test drive on flat pavement. This step is not optional on a used Bronco purchase. It is the one thing standing between you and someone else's problem becoming yours.
8. Only Test Driving It in a Parking Lot
The Bronco drives very differently on pavement versus dirt. The suspension feel, the steering feedback, and the overall experience change significantly once you leave the road, and what feels great in a parking lot can feel completely different after an hour on a rocky trail.
If you are buying for off-road use, find a dealer with a demo trail or get the truck onto a gravel road before you commit. A five-minute parking lot loop tells you almost nothing about a truck built for the trail.
9. Buying a 2021 or Early 2022 Without Verifying the Full Service History
The 2021 and early 2022 model years logged the highest recall counts and NHTSA complaint volumes in the entire 6th-gen platform's history. These are not automatically bad trucks. Many of them are fine. But they require more due diligence than later model years that came with the early issues already resolved.
Ask for documented service records. Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov with the VIN. A 2021 with a clean, documented recall completion history is a solid buy. A 2021 with unknown service history and three open recalls is a different conversation entirely.
10. Buying Aftermarket Parts Without Confirming Authorized Dealer Status
Brands like DV8 Offroad and Addictive Desert Designs tie their manufacturer warranty directly to authorized dealer purchases. Buy the same part through an unauthorized Amazon storefront and the warranty is gone the moment something goes wrong, regardless of what the listing says about the brand name.
Before you order anything aftermarket for your Ford Bronco, confirm you are buying from an authorized dealer. Read our full breakdown on buying Ford Bronco parts on Amazon before you click anything.
Get the truck right the first time. Every single mistake on this list is avoidable with research done before you sign, and none of it takes more than an afternoon to work through.
Frequently Asked Questions From First-Time Ford Bronco Buyers
Is the Ford Bronco reliable?
The reliability picture has improved significantly from the early 2021-2022 model years to the later ones. The 2021 and early 2022 Broncos had the highest recall counts and documented issues, particularly around the MIC hard top, the transmission, and the transfer case on certain configurations. The 2023-2026 model years have a cleaner track record. Our full breakdown on Ford Bronco reliability by model year gives you the honest picture by year.
Is the Ford Bronco worth the price?
For owners who actually use it off-road, yes. The Bronco's body-on-frame construction, available front and rear lockers, and removable doors and roof make it genuinely capable in a way most SUVs at the same price point are not. For a daily driver who never leaves pavement, there are more comfortable options at the same MSRP. The Bronco's value is tied directly to how much of its capability you actually use.
Are Broncos expensive to maintain?
Routine maintenance on the Ford Bronco is in line with other body-on-frame trucks. Oil changes, tire rotations, and brake service are standard. Where costs climb is on early model years with open recall repairs that were deferred, trail damage that was not disclosed at purchase, and transmission or transfer case issues on certain 4A-equipped trucks. A clean pre-purchase inspection and verified recall history on a used Bronco avoids most of those costs entirely.
What is the best Ford Bronco trim to buy?
For off-road use, the Badlands and Wildtrak trim levels offer the best combination of factory capability and value. The Badlands gets a front locker and stronger front axle. The Wildtrak adds a different suspension tune and appearance package. Both can be optioned with Sasquatch for maximum trail capability. The Raptor is the most capable factory trim but comes at a significant price premium over the rest of the lineup.
Should I buy a 2021 Ford Bronco?
A 2021 with a documented service history and all open recalls completed is a reasonable buy at the right price. A 2021 with unknown history and unresolved recalls is a meaningful risk. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov, get an independent inspection, and verify the recall completion records at the dealer before you commit. The 2021 is not off the table, it just requires more homework than later model years.
Still have questions about what to look for before buying or what to add after? Reach out at contact@broncoforge.com or (909) 772-8050.
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About This Guide
This was put together by the team at Bronco Forge. Our founder spent time as a Ford salesman before launching Bronco Forge, giving us firsthand knowledge of how Broncos are sold, what buyers get wrong, and what dealers don't always tell you. We sell aftermarket parts exclusively for the Ford Bronco and spend time in Bronco owner communities tracking what owners actually experience. Questions about fitment or anything Bronco-related? Reach out at contact@broncoforge.com or (909) 772-8050.
