I have come to a conclusion....

[Bucko]

I’m also happy with my badlands ,
what I do have issue with is the parts Ford decided it was ok to change or leave off my 2022 that were on the 2021 as designed! (engine top cover , hood ins blanket etc).
I also hate the stupid rotary gear knob that you can’t tell what gear it’s in without looking at it or dashboard. Since I reverse in to park it’s inconvenient, 45 years of column or inline floor shifter that worked every time , why change? Sometime I hate it so much I want to get a different vehicle if I wouldn’t loose and arm and leg on trade in!

The rotary shift knob seems to be common across the board on vehicles these days. My theory is that they are easier to assemble on the factory build line; plug and play module.

Sponsored

 

[Mark S.]

The rotary shift knob seems to be common across the board on vehicles these days. My theory is that they are easier to assemble on the factory build line; plug and play module.

Fewer mechanical parts generally equals better reliability. There have been a few reports of bad shift knob assemblies from the factory, but I think by and large an electronically controlled shifter will increase reliability down the road.

 

[Warren505]

Fewer mechanical parts generally equals better reliability. There have been a few reports of bad shift knob assemblies from the factory, but I think by and large an electronically controlled shifter will increase reliability down the road.

I agreed the rotary knob is quite clever, the Ford one find park if you shut off engine in D.
But when backing up , doing 3 point turns etc when you can’t feel what gear ( f,n,d) it means you have to take your eyes of the road…..
What do the guys do going off road who need to rock F-D to get out of a hold or in snow?
You might just as well have the very old push button style with electronic lock out so you can select R or P if moving…….

 

[Barry S.]

If you go to any forum for any product you will get the impression that said product is a problem child. People are going to report problems with a product. That's what forums are for. It's good to know what to look for if a small percentage of people have problems. If there is a real problem that is good to know too. There is also plenty of good information on most forums.

Conversely, if you have no problems, there's nothing to write about. I've learned a great deal reading the various forums but realize the vast majority of forum members are readers, not writers.

 

[Mark S.]

What do the guys do going off road who need to rock F-D to get out of a hold or in snow?
You might just as well have the very old push button style with electronic lock out so you can select R or P if moving…….

I don't know why the rotary shifter would preclude rocking. Shift to drive, then drive forward until the wheels slip, step on the brake, shift to reverse, drive back until the wheels start to slip, step on the brake, repeat.

 

[Warren505]

Well the reason is you need to keep you eyes outside the vehicle and since you can’t tell for sure what gear you in by feel you never quite know.
Example , quick 3 point turns are a thing of the past …….
It’s just me I guess

 

[AndyMac204]

65,000 kms, we are not easy on it by any means. 2 brake lights replaced, thats it. these are stout lil trucks.

 

[Briar Gates]

39.500 Smiles per miles. I’m getting a water pump replaced, as soon as the updated p/n is available. I didn’t bat an eye at either b/c of the water pump being an issue, and it being in such high demand-all thanks to good feedback on this forum. As for the time being, I am driving my wife’s 22’ Tahoe as a commuter. I am looking forward to the Big Bend Sport being fixed. I have thoroughly enjoyed my sport, and even this slight hiccup has not diminished the enthusiasm.

 

[Elegance]

Fewer mechanical parts generally equals better reliability. There have been a few reports of bad shift knob assemblies from the factory, but I think by and large an electronically controlled shifter will increase reliability down the road.

Mine included. I had tears in my eyes sitting in my garage the night I brought it home. I thought I'd purchased a lemon after a long 8 month wait, but it was just the shift knob assembly. One service to replace it and I've never had issues again.

 

[Davenorton]

Have a '21 Badlands, badlands trim, now over 24K trouble free miles. Great service and sales experience , from initial ordering to delivery. Build quality is great, its been a blast on and off road, excellent winter warrior, fun all year round, daily driver. Expect to drive this till the wheels come off or I drop dead.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

The biggest issue for me is switching between vehicles and remembering which one does which as far as the shifter goes! The Lexus uses a rotary knob on the console to adjust the audio. I'm hoping not to put the Sport in Park when changing the radio stations one day. Even the shift patterns are different between the Escape and the 2Dr Heritage and both are manuals. I've already driven forward when I thought I should be going backwards in the Heritage.

 

[BayBrownBronco]

The BS initially came with an AGM battery. Now it doesn't. It was designed for AGM battery use. Very few battery issues with an AGM battery. We should all have AGM batteries like the early SB.
It's one thing to delete the minor things Ford has but an AGM deletion isn't minor when people are having lead acid battery issues..

I can't speak with any authority on what the first 2021's came with, nor of the design intent regarding AGM's. All I know is what I experienced:

1. My 2021 BS BL came with a plain-jane lead acid battery. Within the first year or so, it failed and was replaced under warranty.
2. My dealer did not install an AGM - despite me asking for one after reading up on it here. He said there's no explicit guidance for dealers, to provision with an AGM in such warranty situations. Instead, he said their guidance from Ford was to replace the faulty ones with an upgraded, "Fleet Use" Ford battery.
3. They gave me the Fleet battery, and it's been perfect since, for 18 months since the initial wimpy one conked out. I do think though, anyone who's received a Ford AGM battery for their BS, is still likely better off than those with the Fleet lead-acid ones.
4. While dealing with the original situation and anxiety about getting stranded, I bought and installed an Optima DH6 yellow-top deep cycle car battery. I still have it, but have re-purposed it to run a 120VAC inverter to power my house gas furnace during winter power outages.

As to the original thoughts for this thread - I still love my little Ford, after 2 and a half years. What a wonderful design!

 

[Jrl]

I can't speak with any authority on what the first 2021's came with, nor of the design intent regarding AGM's. All I know is what I experienced:

1. My 2021 BS BL came with a plain-jane lead acid battery. Within the first year or so, it failed and was replaced under warranty.
2. My dealer did not install an AGM - despite me asking for one after reading up on it here. He said there's no explicit guidance for dealers, to provision with an AGM in such warranty situations. Instead, he said their guidance from Ford was to replace the faulty ones with an upgraded, "Fleet Use" Ford battery.
3. They gave me the Fleet battery, and it's been perfect since, for 18 months since the initial wimpy one conked out. I do think though, anyone who's received a Ford AGM battery for their BS, is still likely better off than those with the Fleet lead-acid ones.
4. While dealing with the original situation and anxiety about getting stranded, I bought and installed an Optima DH6 yellow-top deep cycle car battery. I still have it, but have re-purposed it to run a 120VAC inverter to power my house gas furnace during winter power outages.

As to the original thoughts for this thread - I still love my little Ford, after 2 and a half years. What a wonderful design!

Yes got the same battery as your original on my First edition badlands , mine was built I believe dec 2020 and I received it Feb 2021 , I still have the original battery today , no issues, might have just jinxed myself.

 

[ltelmo]

I have two Broncos and 21 Outerbanks and a 23 Heritage, Both have been flawless with only service and recalls done, 24,000 miles on my Outerbanks and 8000 miles on my Heritage. My dealer has been great with both

Sponsored