Bronco owners were likely stoked when they finally got their hands on the new off-roader from the Blue Oval. Some of them were definitely less than thrilled, however, when their Bronco

engines started failing

on them with less than a year in service.

Carbuzz

provides more detail, saying that dozens owners of Ford Broncos equipped with the second-generation 310-horsepower 2.7-liter twin-turbo Ecoboost engine are reporting engine failure after putting less than 10,000 miles on the odometer.

The Ford Bronco engine failures are covered under warranty...

As of late April 2022, 46 Bronco owners have complained on online forums about the 2.7-liter engine’s failure—some with just over 1,000 miles on the clock. But it’s also within Ford’s warranty window, which covers the Bronco with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty, a corrosion warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

"We are aware of a select number of engines with this concern and we are investigating,” a Ford spokesperson told

The Drive

. “If any customers are experiencing issues, they will be covered under the vehicle’s five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty."

According to a now-deleted social media account of someone claiming to be a Ford employee, the problem seems to originate with faulty valves from one of Ford’s suppliers, which reportedly go brittle from engine heat. The failures reported on the forum spanned from May to October 2021.

Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds

No spam · No long forms · No fees

Find insurance savings

...but still a major headache

While it’s great news for these new Ford Bronco owners that their blown engines will be fixed at no cost to them (other than a short time without their new off-roader), it’s still inconvenient.

When you buy a new vehicle, you expect it to work for at least a few years before trading it in for a newer model. If you’re like most Americans, you’ll hope it’s dependable enough that you can drive it until the wheels fall off.

But it’s also concerning for Ford. The Bronco and, to a lesser extent, its smaller sibling the Bronco Sport, had been

hyped up

since the company announced the nameplate’s return almost half a decade ago.

For some of those engines to go kaput so soon after launch is, frankly, pretty embarrassing for an established automaker like Ford. Consumer Reports’ two-out-of-five reliability rating makes a little more sense in retrospect, though.

The automaker pledged last year to make vehicle quality its priority, but should probably call a mulligan on the 2.7-liter Bronco.

MORE:

The 2021 Ford Bronco vs. Bronco Sport

Ford has a history of engine trouble

Then again, Ecoboost engine issues aren’t anything new for the Blue Oval. As

Ford Authority

reported in late 2021, the Ecoboost has a troubled history of issues like carbon buildup to coolant leaks—enough that the automaker has faced a class-action lawsuit for its 4-cylinder Ecoboost’s coolant leaks.

While not all Ecoboost engines have problems—some can work flawlessly as intended throughout the vehicle’s lifetime—it’s still a pain to discover yours might be one of the afflicted, especially after investing tens of thousands of dollars in a vehicle that you’d expect to work for a few years at the very least.

The automaker hasn’t announced any kind of recall action to the media or consumers. According to Carbuzz, the Bronco forum where owners originally reported these issues recommended owners file complaints with NHTSA to track the problem—and, ideally, force Ford to investigate it.

Will car insurance cover engine failure?

Unless the engine failure is a result of a car accident, it is unlikely that your insurance will cover mechanical failure. However, it’s still important to make sure your car is fully protected, and that starts with choosing the right insurance.

Let

Jerry

help by comparing rates from 55+ top insurance providers and giving you a pick of the best ones. The process is quick, easy, and totally free. No long forms, no spam calls, and no headache!

Are you overpaying for car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Try Jerry