The Ford Bronco is one of the best SUVs on the market right now, and that's probably an understatement. Reliability has improved every year, and the capability you get from owning one is hard to match for what it's worth.
Here are the top 10 buying mistakes that people tend to make on first-time Bronco purchases.
1. Not Getting the Sasquatch Package
Let's be honest, the Sasquatch Package on the Bronco is nice. You get 35-inch tires, wider fender flares, and a front locking diff straight from your dealership's lot. No need to do those things yourself, which can be a big headache.
You have to decide whether it's worth saving time and spending more upfront on an already-upgraded Bronco straight from the dealer lot, or buying the Bronco at a lower price and either building your own Sasquatch Package or leaving it as is.
Aftermarket 35s, a leveling kit to clear them, and an aftermarket locker together will cost you anywhere from $2,500 to $4,000. The Sasquatch Package at the dealer is almost always cheaper and cleaner. If you for sure plan to take your Bronco off-road, this is the one factory option you should prioritize.
2. Not Checking Open Recalls on the VIN
The Ford Bronco's reliability has definitely improved over the years, but the early model years had a meaningful number of NHTSA recalls. The 2022 alone had around 17. Several involve the drivetrain, hardtop, brakes, and rearview camera system.
Buying a used Bronco without checking the VIN at nhtsa.gov first could mean you're 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.
3. The 2-Door vs. 4-Door Decision
When you're getting a Bronco, you have a choice between a 2-door and a 4-door. If you haven't done research on the pros and cons of each one before going on the lot, you'll probably end up pulling the trigger on the one that doesn't suit your needs.
The 2-door is better for trails since it's shorter, which makes sharp turns and climbing over big rocks much easier. The downside is a bumpier ride overall with the shorter wheelbase.
The 4-door holds 5 people comfortably and offers much more cargo space for luggage and groceries. You'll also notice a smoother ride since it's longer, so it's less bumpy when you're driving fast.
So you have to figure out if you're going to use a Bronco for a lot of family/friend road trips or purely for off-roading.
4. Choosing a Trim Based on Looks
If you choose a Bronco trim just for its appearance, you're likely to have everyday driving problems because each trim is built for a completely different purpose.
The Big Bend looks like a classic SUV, but it comes with smaller tires and basic features, so it might feel a little cheap, especially if you want a more rugged look.
The Outer Banks looks sleek with its shiny, body-colored parts and comfortable interior, but it definitely wasn't designed to handle rough terrain or muddy trails.
The Badlands looks tough with big tires and a lifted body, but it has a stiffer suspension that will make driving feel bumpier and louder overall.
Buying the Badlands for just looks means you'll be paying more for upgrades that you won't be taking advantage of and having a rougher overall ride on pavement. If you pick a Big Bend or lower trim because it's affordable, you miss out on some comfort features like heated seats.
5. The Hard Top vs. Soft Top Choice
If you go with the hard top, whenever you want to take it off, there's a good chance you'll need another adult to help you out because the pieces are heavier and harder to remove. Another thing that sucks about the hard top is that those pieces need to be stored somewhere when you take them off, and they aren't small, either.
The soft top is definitely simpler to handle, but it also has its downsides. The fabric lets in much more wind and road noise, which can make the cabin of your Bronco feel loud, especially on the highway. The fabric is also less durable and can rip over time, and the plastic windows can easily be cut open by thieves. Yes, you read that right.
Many people choose the hard top but never realize that they'll need space to store it when they want to take it off. People often buy the soft top for its ease of removal, but end up regretting it, partly because of highway noise that can get annoying.
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 ownership cost is an entirely different number.
Most Bronco owners spend money on aftermarket parts within the first year. Rock sliders, skid plates, a steel bumper, and a winch can add $3,000 to $6,000 to what you paid for the Bronco itself. Buyers who stretch their budget on the purchase price often end up driving an unprotected Bronco on trails it shouldn't be on without proper gear underneath.
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, which already had the early issues 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, or see who you're actually ordering from before your first purchase with us.
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.
First-Time Bronco Buyer: FAQ
Should I get the Sasquatch Package on a new Bronco?
If you plan to go off-road, yes. Building the same setup aftermarket, 35s, a leveling kit, and a locker, runs $2,500 to $4,000, usually more than the factory package costs at the dealer.
Is a 2021 or 2022 Ford Bronco a safe buy?
It can be, but check the VIN at nhtsa.gov first. Those years logged the highest recall counts in the platform's history, and issues aren't always disclosed by private sellers.
Do I need a pre-purchase inspection on a used Bronco?
Yes. It costs $100 to $200 and can catch underbody damage, deferred recalls, and mechanical issues that a test drive or Carfax report won't show.
Should I choose a Bronco trim based on looks alone?
No. Each trim is built for a different purpose. A Badlands looks tough but rides stiffer and louder; picking it for looks alone means paying for capability you may not use.
Hard top or soft top, which should a first-time buyer choose?
Depends on priorities. Hard tops need two people and storage space to remove; soft tops are easier to remove but let in more wind noise and are less durable.
