6th Gen Ford Bronco years to avoid, and the best years to buy
Every Ford Bronco (sixth generation) model year: which ones owners and specialists recommend, which have documented problems, which carry recalls, and what they sell for now.
Avoid 2021–22 unless the paperwork is perfect: CarGurus says to steer clear of both, and they carry the 2.7 intake-valve recall (24V-635) and the 2026 molded-in-color roof-panel recall. CarGurus calls 2023 the best year, with no investigations and fewer complaints, as long as its recalls are fixed. Later trucks get MIC 2.0 or painted tops, the HOSS 3.0 steering gear on 2024 Badlands and Sasquatch, and a full HOSS 3.0 option for 2025, but 2024–25 trucks have their own front-suspension fastener recalls, so check any year's VIN. Jalopnik, citing Bronco Nation, notes relatively little discussion of failures on the 2.3 four.
At a glance
6th Gen Ford Bronco year by year
| YEAR | VERDICT | WHAT CHANGED |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Beware | Production starts June 14, 2021 at Michigan Assembly. 2.3 (manual or auto) and 2.7 (auto) EcoBoost; Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak and First Edition; Sasquatch package. CarGurus says to steer clear of 2021–22: the year with the most recalls, including 2.7 intake valves (24V-635), molded-in-color roof panels and airbags. |
| 2022 | Beware | Bronco Raptor (four-door, 3.0 twin-turbo V6, 37s) and the four-door-only Everglades edition arrive. Still inside the 2.7 valve recall, and 2021–22 molded-in-color roof panels are recalled in 2026; CarGurus says to avoid it. |
| 2023 | Sweet spot | Heritage Edition and Heritage Limited Edition arrive, both with a painted top instead of the molded-in-color one. CarGurus' pick of the generation, with fewer complaints than 2021–22, provided the recalls are done. |
| 2024 | — | Badlands and Sasquatch trucks get the Wildtrak's HOSS 3.0 steering gear. Chinese-market Broncos go on sale (2.3, four-door). Last year of the Wildtrak trim. |
| 2025 | — | Full HOSS 3.0 (Fox 2.5 internal-bypass shocks, Raptor steering rack, stronger tie rods) optional on Badlands. Painted hardtops in Oxford White, Shadow Black or body color. Two-door Stroppe Edition ($77,665). Front control-arm fastener recalls on early builds. |
| 2026 | — | The Stroppe Edition moves to the four-door, at $69,995. |
“Sweet spot” means owners and specialists recommend those years; “Beware” means documented problems; “Recall” means check the recall was done rather than walk away.
What a 6th Gen Ford Bronco costs (October 2026)
Plenty of 2021–23 trucks are on the used market. Raptors and low-mileage special editions hold the most value, and heavily customized builds sell far above stock trucks.
| Stock or lightly modified 2021–23 Outer Banks / Wildtrak / First Edition | $38k–56k |
|---|---|
| Bronco Raptor | $60k–105k |
| Custom builds (Vintage Broncos, Vintage Modern) | $141k–205k |
Based on recent Bring a Trailer sold results for the U725 Bronco (24 most recent auctions, July–October 2026). Several two-door seven-speed trucks were bid to only $23,000–29,500 without selling. The first production 2022 Raptor sold for $105,000.
Recalls by year
- 2.7/3.0 Nano EcoBoost intake valves may break ↗ 2021–2022
- Rear shock reservoirs can corrode and detach ↗ 2021–2024
- Molded-in-color hardtop roof panels can separate ↗ 2021–2022
- Engine-compartment wiring harness can short ↗ 2021–2026
- Steering gear internal damage ↗ 2022 Raptor · 2023 Wildtrak
- Transmission-to-transfer-case joint misaligned after a previous repair ↗ 2021–2025
- Front upper control-arm ball-joint nut loose or missing ↗ 2024–2025
- Front lower control-arm fasteners not tightened ↗ 2024–2025
- Fender flares may detach ↗ 2022–2026
- Windshield not properly bonded ↗ 2022 (and 2025, 25V-683)
- Transmission park pawl damaged in assembly ↗ 2023
- Low-pressure fuel pump may fail ↗ 2021–2023
- Passenger airbag vent may open early ↗ 2021
- Engine may fail (2025–26) ↗ 2025–2026
Best years are buyer consensus from owners, specialists and forums, not spec sheets. See all Bronco years to avoid across every generation.