Bottom of Consumer Reports ratings

[sajohnson]

Well, there ya go. Given this is a survey, I wonder how many owners don't fully read and/or ignore the request to exclude recall work?

Exactly. Unfortunately, that's unknowable.

My guess is that many people who respond to the survey DO report recalls as reliability issues, because -- as you pointed out -- a problem requiring a visit to the dealership is a PITA, whether it is due to a recall or not.

I've filled out numerous CR surveys since the late 1980s, and I don't recall ever seeing instructions to disregard recalls -- and I'm the type that typically reads the instructions/small print. Maybe I missed it though, or maybe CR changed their policy in recent years.

Either way, if I missed it, it's guaranteed many other CR members did too.

So...while I am not a Ford or BS fanboy, I'm going to say that at least a good portion of the decline in CR's BS reliability rating is due to the multiple recalls (which are almost exclusively on the 1.5L models).

In keeping with what I posted above, I'd say that:

1) 1.5L BS owners should not be too concerned about the current CR BS reliability rating. Many cars have recalls and then go on to be very reliable.

Better to have a few recalls up front on an otherwise reliable car, than no recalls, but multiple random failures throughout the life of the vehicle.

2) BS BL owners can all but disregard the CR BS reliability ratings, since they (apparently) have only tested a 1.5L model, and all recalls have been on the 1.5L models (AFAIK). I suppose there may be reliability issues that are a) not the subject of a recall, and b) involve a common part.

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[Dude]

2) BS BL owners … all recalls have been on the 1.5L models (AFAIK).

Almost all recalls are 1.5L models, some Badlands did get a recall … to add an emission sticker ?

 

[sajohnson]

Almost all recalls are 1.5L models, some Badlands did get a recall … to add an emission sticker ?

That's RIGHT!

I'd forgotten about that. My wife was very concerned about it -- like the EPA was gonna git us.

 

[69cuda340s]

Almost all recalls are 1.5L models, some Badlands did get a recall … to add an emission sticker ?

'21 Badlands here no recalls yet.

 

[sajohnson]

'21 Badlands here no recalls yet.

That's because you have the highly sought after 2021 model that came with the correct under-hood stickers.

It's sure to be a classic collector car in a few years!

Seriously, I think we BS BL owners just got lucky. When I checked the CR reliability rating for the BS before ordering ours, it was very good. At the time, I did not notice that the rating was for the 1.5L models. So it could have been the case that the BS BL had reliability issues and we wouldn't have known.

Luck of the draw.

In fact I was just reading a CR comparison of the BS (1.5L maybe the OB?) and a Subaru. They had not edited it, so it still says the BS reliability is "very good" (or "excellent.") Then immediately below that article they have the current, "poor" rating. I don't recall seeing such a steep drop in the reliability rating before.

Let's hope it was due to the recalls (even though CR members are not supposed to count them) and that all BS models are trouble-free going forward.

 

[coopny]

Coolant contamination?!

The hell you say! My BS BL is perfect!

In all seriousness, I haven't heard about that. Is it a head gasket issue?

People talk about coolant contamination on 2.0L EB engines and quite frankly it's bogus on the 2.0L engine in the Bronco Sport. Yes, it has been an issue in prior years of the clean sheet 2.0L Twin Scroll EB engine, and Ford acknowledged and mitigated the problem in 2019 (relevant TSB). To prevent coolant intrusion in 2019MY+ vehicles, and fix the problem in older vehicles, they redesigned the engine block. This article and the YouTube video within it does a great job of explaining the problem.

Anybody talking about coolant intrusion on the 2.0L Twin Scroll EB in the Badlands/First edition is misinformed. Ford never used the defective engine block design in any Bronco Sport model...

 

[Mark S.]

More grist for the mill...

https://www.autoblog.com/amp/2023/12/20/ford-is-the-most-recalled-automaker-for-the-third-year-running/

 

[Dude]

More grist for the mill...

https://www.autoblog.com/amp/2023/12/20/ford-is-the-most-recalled-automaker-for-the-third-year-running/

Winner!!

 

[RushMan]

Winner!!

 

[Glamdring70]

I believe its like 15 percent Ford never intended them to be the high volume trim...

Based on the other Sports I see on the road here in Oregon, which I feel is a more outdoor-oriented state than many, I would agree with that. Maybe 1 in 10 other cars I see is a Badlands. And I think if a 2.0 was available in another trim, that number would probably shrink to 1.5%. Many, many people want the 2.0. Some people like the ride height. Few people care about the water cooled rear end. No one cares about the paddle shifters. But saving a few thousand and getting the 2.0 powerplant? Everyone would like that option.

 

[sajohnson]

More grist for the mill...

https://www.autoblog.com/amp/2023/12/20/ford-is-the-most-recalled-automaker-for-the-third-year-running/

That shows that Ford is proactive and cares about their customers.

 

[sajohnson]

Based on the other Sports I see on the road here in Oregon, which I feel is a more outdoor-oriented state than many, I would agree with that. Maybe 1 in 10 other cars I see is a Badlands. And I think if a 2.0 was available in another trim, that number would probably shrink to 1.5%. Many, many people want the 2.0. Some people like the ride height. Few people care about the water cooled rear end. No one cares about the paddle shifters. But saving a few thousand and getting the 2.0 powerplant? Everyone would like that option.

Hey -- I like the paddle shifters. They make me feel like a Formula 1 racer!

Actually, the shifts are a bit soft and delayed, so the paddle shifters aren't as much fun as they could be.

Of course the liquid-cooled PTU is used on the Badlands (and LE) due to the greater likelihood that it will see more serious off-road use. Our BS BL will likely never be driven much off-road. However, while the liquid-cooled unit may not be necessary, it can't hurt, and may increase the longevity of the PTU.

There are several other features like that on the BL -- generally not needed for ordinary on-road use, but nice to have -- skid plates; recovery hooks; more clearance/ride height; stronger suspension; full size spare; front camera; rear storage compartment, etc.

I look at most of the above as 'bonus features'. The main focus for us was the 2.0L and the more capable AWD. Even though most of our driving is on paved roads (our road turns into a 2-track going north, but we rarely go out that way) we do live on what passes for a mountain in this part of Maryland (a hill in Oregon), and our road has a section with a tricky 20-25% slope, with a hard right at the bottom and a hard left halfway up. So in snow it's nice to have the additional AWD capability.

It's possible to carry the "more is better" too far, to the point where the trade-offs are too great, but the only disadvantage of the BS BL is slightly lower mileage -- especially in Formula 1 mode.

 

[RushMan]

Based on the other Sports I see on the road here in Oregon, which I feel is a more outdoor-oriented state than many, I would agree with that. Maybe 1 in 10 other cars I see is a Badlands. And I think if a 2.0 was available in another trim, that number would probably shrink to 1.5%. Many, many people want the 2.0. Some people like the ride height. Few people care about the water cooled rear end. No one cares about the paddle shifters. But saving a few thousand and getting the 2.0 powerplant? Everyone would like that option.

I'll tell you when I use the paddle shifters in my '17 Escape:
On Cruise control, going up a slight incline and the engine is lugging, I downshift using the paddle shifters. And again on cruise control, going down a slight incline, I downshift to use the engine to keep within the speed limit.

 

[coopny]

CR does not score recalls into reliability. As a CR subscriber, this is pretty plainly stated if you take the car survey - do NOT include problems that were a recall.

Consumer Reports’ Survey Research Department conducts multiple Auto Surveys each year asking about reliability as well as satisfaction. For reliability, we ask members to note any problems with their vehicles that occurred in the previous 12 months. They are asked to identify problems that they considered serious (because of cost, failure, safety, or downtime). We ask them to include problems covered by warranty, but not the ones resulting from accident damage or due solely to recall. Respondents check off problems from a list of trouble areas, ranging from the engine and transmission to climate system, brakes, electrical system, and electrical accessories. They also tell us in writing (verbatim) specifically what their experiences were to help us understand precisely what problems they are having. (See the full list of trouble spots below.)

So let's put aside the recall topic. Recalls are annoying, and depending on number and severity may impact your faith in a vehicle manufacturer or a specific model of vehicle, but it's not factored in to the CR ratings.

Moving on to the next point: Why are the the BS reliability ratings lower than average. We have to split that apart a bit.

The 2021 and 2022 have a lot of common trouble areas. MAGPLM already hit on that pretty well in here:

Brono Sport Ratings = Brakes means, when reversing. Fuel System mean, 1.5 fuel injectors. Climate System means, 1.5 water pumps. Most of the trouble are 1.5L engine models. Just saying. Have no issues at all with my Badlands.

The 2021 was 1/5 (far below average) for noise and leaks, which...is not uncommon in the first year of a car. 22/23 were 5/5 on this.

Moving to areas the 2022 scored differently: 22 Scored worse for engine major at 2/5 (I'm not aware what), where the 21 was 3/5 (average) and 23 5/5 (far better than average). The 22 was average 3/5 for engine electrical (5/5 on 21 and 23), same for electrical accessories.

Moving on to the 2023, the 2023 doesn't score worse than average in any area. It's "trouble spots" are the drive system, steering & suspension, and body hardware. All of these are average. Every other area ranks better than average. So how can the predicted reliability be negative? CR is taking the 21/22 history and factoring into the 23, that some issues may not have been fixed and many 23 owners merely haven't driven long/far enough to encounter some of the issues the 21/22 owners faced.

If the 2023 BS reliability holds and it does as well for 2024 because things like the 1.5L water pumps, 1.5L injectors, and all BS brake issues were properly dealt with by Ford in newer builds... then next year, I would expect a substantially improved reliability rating for the BS as a whole (and 23MY) to reflect next year.

 

[Mark S.]

CR does not score recalls into reliability.

Why are the the BS reliability ratings lower than average. We have to split that apart a bit.

The 2021 and 2022 have a lot of common trouble areas. MAGPLM already hit on that pretty well in here:

MAGPLM said:
Brono Sport Ratings = Brakes means, when reversing. Fuel System mean, 1.5 fuel injectors. Climate System means, 1.5 water pumps. Most of the trouble are 1.5L engine models. Just saying. Have no issues at all with my Badlands

The only issue related to 1.5L fuel injectors is the recall to reroute fuel should one leak. I'm not aware of any other widespread issues regarding the fuel systems on those engines. Does anyone know of any?

If I'm right, then it appears a lot of people taking the survey are ignoring the directions to NOT include maintenance issues requiring shop visits related to recalls.

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