New Bronco Ride Quality

[Chunder Lizard]

Hey all. I recently purchased a 2024 Big Bend. Upon getting on a highway, I could immediately feel a vibration, the hood looked like a flag waving in the wind, and I could hear a sporadic muted thumping sound coming from the rear. It just rides really rough.

I took it in for service and they said 3 of the 4 tires were bad. They gave me excuses about flat spots, about continental tires being hard to balance, and about not knowing the conditions they were stored in before getting installed. Regardless, it improved the ride quality, but I still felt a vibration and still heard the occasional thumping from the rear.

I brought it back in yesterday. They said they were going to hook it up to this Ford diagnostic machine that tests vibrations and whatnot. I picked it up today and they said nothing is wrong.

As soon as I left and got to 45mph, I immediately felt the rough ride and vibration along with the rear thumping and the hood still waving aggressively. Also, all the wind sounds amplified like I'm driving in a hurricane.

Does/did anyone have these issues? Is this simply how the vehicle runs? I can't imagine ford designed an SUV to have such a rough feel while driving.

To note: during this process, they gave me an Escape and an Edge as loaner vehicles. Both had the ride you'd expect from a new vehicle. After driving them, the Bronco felt like a 20 year old junker.

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[Dude]

There are various techniques to stop the aggressive hood waving from adjusting the 2 rubber bumper hood stops to inserting a rubber hose into the rear hood rubber strip (under the hood). Easy things to search for on this Forum.

Regarding the sporadic muted thumping sound coming from the rear, does it sound like this:

 

[Chunder Lizard]

There are various techniques to stop the aggressive hood waving from adjusting the 2 rubber bumper hood stops to inserting a rubber hose into the rear hood rubber strip (under the hood). Easy things to search for on this Forum.

Regarding the sporadic muted thumping sound coming from the rear, does it sound like this:

Thanks for the reply. Out of the two examples they gave, it would definitely be considered more of a flapping than a rattle. It almost sounds like the trunk floorboard is thumping around, but everything underneath is secured. Do you experience general overall vibration of your vehicle while driving? I can feel it in the steering wheel, the pedals, and can hear any loose items inside rattling around.

 

[Dude]

Thanks for the reply. Out of the two examples they gave, it would definitely be considered more of a flapping than a rattle. It almost sounds like the trunk floorboard is thumping around, but everything underneath is secured. Do you experience general overall vibration of your vehicle while driving? I can feel it in the steering wheel, the pedals, and can hear any loose items inside rattling around.

No nothing I would characterize as vibration.

there is an SSM for insulation that goes under the spare tire, let me know if you cannot find it (https://www.ford.com/support/service-information/)

Perhaps have the service advisor and Tech ride around with you so that you can point out the issues. That might lead to a quicker resolution.

 

[Dude]

For the hood shake:

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

Hey all. I recently purchased a 2024 Big Bend. Upon getting on a highway, I could immediately feel a vibration, the hood looked like a flag waving in the wind, and I could hear a sporadic muted thumping sound coming from the rear. It just rides really rough.

I took it in for service and they said 3 of the 4 tires were bad. They gave me excuses about flat spots, about continental tires being hard to balance, and about not knowing the conditions they were stored in before getting installed. Regardless, it improved the ride quality, but I still felt a vibration and still heard the occasional thumping from the rear.

I brought it back in yesterday. They said they were going to hook it up to this Ford diagnostic machine that tests vibrations and whatnot. I picked it up today and they said nothing is wrong.

As soon as I left and got to 45mph, I immediately felt the rough ride and vibration along with the rear thumping and the hood still waving aggressively. Also, all the wind sounds amplified like I'm driving in a hurricane.

Does/did anyone have these issues? Is this simply how the vehicle runs? I can't imagine ford designed an SUV to have such a rough feel while driving.

To note: during this process, they gave me an Escape and an Edge as loaner vehicles. Both had the ride you'd expect from a new vehicle. After driving them, the Bronco felt like a 20 year old junker.

I have a 2023 with the Continental Tires coming up on 3,000 miles i have no vibrations at all the ride is pretty good IMO.It's not right they need to fix it did they check the balance on all 4 tires?

 

[Chunder Lizard]

Yup, they checked the balance several times and also replaced 3 tires. Then checked everything again. They ultimately said, "this is just how the vehicle drives."

 

[rms34208]

Sorry for the tire issues, If you register your tires on the Continental website They offer a 1 year exchange at no charge. I would email Continental explain the issue and Lot numbers as well, could be a
series issue. The Flapping sound is only heard on my BB if I am driving over 50 with the window down( previous 2013 Escape did the same). One other item , The Dealership should have replaced All Four Tires and I suggest you check the Date Codes on all tires.Next step maybe to request all Rims be replaced?

 

[TNFurb]

My OB BS does not drive like this. I have Michelin tires on mine though. One other thing to double check is your glass on the tailgate. One time mine was not fully closed somehow. I noticed it after going through the car wash.

 

[Chunder Lizard]

Sorry for the tire issues, If you register your tires on the Continental website They offer a 1 year exchange at no charge. I would email Continental explain the issue and Lot numbers as well, could be a
series issue. The Flapping sound is only heard on my BB if I am driving over 50 with the window down( previous 2013 Escape did the same). One other item , The Dealership should have replaced All Four Tires and I suggest you check the Date Codes on all tires.Next step maybe to request all Rims be replaced?

Very good info. Thank you.

 

[Chunder Lizard]

My OB BS does not drive like this. I have Michelin tires on mine though. One other thing to double check is your glass on the tailgate. One time mine was not fully closed somehow. I noticed it after going through the car wash.

Worth checking. Thanks.

 

[Jmuns]

Make the tech and service manager go for a ride with you and have them hear and feel the issue.

 

[Paesano]

I have always gone to Discount tires after buying a new vehicle a buy their road hazard coverage on my tires. with that purchase, they cover the tires and also offer free balance & rotate. If you have one near you talk to them and see if they will cover those tires. Several years back on a Mercury Mariner I had there were Continental tires on a vehicle and when Continental & the dealer wouldn't do anything for vibration created by the tires, Discount stepped up and helped me swap to Michelin (warning, I did have to pay a little for the upgrade but it made all the difference)

 

[Chunder Lizard]

I have always gone to Discount tires after buying a new vehicle a buy their road hazard coverage on my tires. with that purchase, they cover the tires and also offer free balance & rotate. If you have one near you talk to them and see if they will cover those tires. Several years back on a Mercury Mariner I had there were Continental tires on a vehicle and when Continental & the dealer wouldn't do anything for vibration created by the tires, Discount stepped up and helped me swap to Michelin (warning, I did have to pay a little for the upgrade but it made all the difference)

Certainly worth considering. Thankfully, I have 2 locations near me. Thanks.

 

[Mighty3]

I didn't see any mention of checking tire pressure. Big difference in my 23 BB (Continentals) if pressure is 40 vs 33 (as per Ford sticker on mine). Don't forget it does have a very stiff factory suspension compared to most of the other CUVs because you can do things off road that the others just can't/won't. Its not a floatly riding vehicle. Its stiff and a bit choppy riding because of the short offroad intention wheelbase. Personally, floatly isn't for me. I prefer the choppy/busier ride type.

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