The BRUTAL Truth About My Ford Bronco Badlands: What I HATE! 

The new Bronco is perfect! 21k miles of loving my ride!

I love the solid firmness of the 1-2 shift on my 2021 Badlands 2.7L. I think it’s a personal preference thing.

Get the Ford Performance Tune. Total game changer in performance and will improve fuel economy. You do have to run 91 octane plus but worth it IMO.

I totally agree with the 1 to 2nd gear shift! It feels like there’s something wrong with it. I’ve got the 2.3. I also wish there was a gutter system, I’ve been looking at Jeep solutions. The soft top does it too.

The turbo lag is tuned in. It's not problems with the turbo, they just don't want to harp on the drivetrain. Tune it and watch that 2.7 go nuts.

The handles totally help you get in and out. Driver side, grab with left hand then put right leg in.

I’m sorry to hear you have so many concerns. I know what you mean by turbo lag, but I solved this by adding Sport to my GOAT modes, no lag at all! My last was a Focus St, with the 2L eco boost, traded it in with almost 300,000kms, still ran hard and never had any issues. You just have to know that ecoboost’s require extra maintenance, 3000miles between oil changes and ALWAYS synthetic and a MOTORCRAFT FL filter, but what do I know! lol Lights, I sort of agree, but you can’t really expect the strength of HID lights to LED, but LED lights do have their advantages in some situations, still light years better than Halogen lights and so,e vehicles still have those. I really don’t have any shifting issues, love the 10 speed, you are talking Normal GOAT, correct? Meh to adding gutters, not an issue, even coming from having side window deflectors. lol I added similar grab handles, I find I don’t really use them though, but I have stirrup steps, maybe that helps. Giddy up 👍🐴🐴🥌🤘 2021 2 Dr Badlands w/Sasquatch 2.7L/Lux. 25,000miles with not a single issue…knock on wood! lol

Try the Ford Performance tune

What I regret is that you own one. Titling you video like that is stupid. At least to bronco owners.

The headlights sounds like how mine are on the new explorers. They suck! The bronco sport has better headlights.

Ditto the water run off! Get soaked inside the car getting in and out during rain. Bad engineering

Am I the only one that hates having an analog speedometer right next to the digital one... Does anyone look at the analog one?

Your review is fair and useful but the background music I found iritating and instrusive. It was quite distracting. My 2c worth from Australia

Headlights Great. Just click the hibeam lever ;)

I'm mind blown that FORD didn't offer a 5.0L Coyote V8 option on the off-road Broncos. The original ones back in the 60s-70s got that spicy combo. Remember the Baja Bronco that was custom built back then?

Either enable sport mode with forescan or a pedal commander and a ecu flash. Youll fix the « lag » and make an extra 50 hp everywhere. I also have a carbonized grey Badlands.

I absolutely agree with the water falling in your lap with the bronco!!it pisses me off too!

The turbochargers have to be mono-scroll because twin-scroll turbos become unbalanced when the number of pistons are uneven (V-6 has 3 cylinders be bank and each turbo covers only one bank). Your turbo lag is unfortunately typical of any vehicle equipped with mono-scroll turbos. Also, their is a tuning issue with most Fords that have the 10-speed automatic. Ford's 8 speed automatic doesn't have this issue, but it can't handle the high torque of your engine. Not sure how to tune an automatic, but since it is computer controlled it can be done. I agree with you on getting a gutter for the hard top Broncos. I have the same issue with my 2-door base Bronco and it is annoying (especially since it is my daily driver).

One thing I hate about the Bronco is that they don't offer the V6 with a manual transmission

I have the same 1st and 2nd gear shift "doubt", "hiccup", "desync" not as smooth shift from 1st to second. For sure seems like a tuning issues, I thought perhaps the transmission self learn picked it up from my bad driving habits. Since by the time it typically shifts from 1st to 2nd I find that I'm just starting to press more on the accelerator since by then the boost is triggering and it feels good/natural to start dipping into the gas to keep the accel firm and forward. However if I don't give it a lot of gas it does this not very smooth shift so it makes me drive it faster to avoid the bad shift. I read a lot of people raving about the transmission tuning with the 2.7 tune from ford that it improves transmission tuning. I think I will be giving it a try. I'll add my other "don't like" about my Bronco, is that the camera options while in Normal mode don't include the left/right wheel cameras. Would be nice in to quickly be able to see what the tire is doing it in normal driving situations by clicking the camera button. Otherwise I love the thing. Thanks for making the vid 'j' o'

There is no turbo lag on the V6..try using premium gas I tested the headlights for the factory--twice..they are excellent. Try getting some glasses silly video

For me it's the interior plastics. If you just look at them wrong they will scratch and get all marked up. Also wish the dash was fully digital, and not 2/3 digital and a real speedo. That way you could potentially change up the look and layout of it.

Sounds like you would benefit from the Performance tune. Would knock out a few off your list. I don't know if I can think of 5 things I hate about my Bronco 🤔....

Turbo lag? 😂 not really how i would describe the 2.7L ECO-Boost. Im not sure what vehicle/setup you are comparing the platform to, but the Bronco has very little turbo lag all things concidered, it spools almost as fast as my 2014 Focus ST stock turbo (also ECO-Boost platform) and that car is noted for its incredibly fast spool and subsequent low end torque. 2300 / 2500 is an amazing turbo peak boost. I have never felt like my bronco 2.7L twin doesn't spool fast enough.

I think the headlights are better than the aftermarket options I had on my previous vehicle so I haven’t noticed any issues there; off road at night I know I’ll need more as I had on my previous vehicle. The lack of grab handles makes me think it was because of the airbags.

good video - annoyingly loud and unnecessary music.

Turbo! Rock climbing? Turbo lag on a fire road really necessary? Larger displacement, more torque, less tech maybe? Bye bye Ford, you really don't get it.

While I think you are much more knowledgeable about turbos than I am, I suspect it's not actually turbo lag. Have you installed a pedal commander? I haven't sensed anything I feel is actually turbo lag in my badlands, but I do feel that hesitation that I think is coming from the drive by wire pedal. I am comparing the experience to when I drive my ' 88 turbobird.

Geez man, how much light do you need!? The road is already a toxic wasteland of blinding light pollution and these are some of the brightest now they could hit a wider angle that’s true.

Turn the music down... You are giving good info and background music the entire way through is a distraction. Had to stop half way through and read the comments.

I would definitely agree with you on the lack of rain gutters on the roof and the grad handles, massive oversight on Fords part. Not sure about the trans since we have the manual trans 4cyl.

Look into adding Sport Mode to your Badlands. You can do it in forscan and its well worth it. Really wakes up the turbos and seems to smooth out the shifting. Can also turn off the double honk when leaving the Bronco with the key while its running (dumbest feature). Overall I agree with your issues. I've had my 21MY 2.7 Badlands for 2 yrs and 25k miles without any issues and love it overall but the rain issue, stock headlights, absolute crap speakers just annoy me sometimes lol.

FYI there is no turbo lag off idle. The factory calibration keeps the bypass open for boost until later in the RPMs. That’s by design for 1st gear. That can be tuned out with an aftermarket tune.

I got a 2022 Badlands 4-door and for me the 1st-to-2nd gear shift takes way too long. I have to park inside a parking garage and when I'm letting it idle down the ramp at 7-10 MPH (not touching the accelerator), it rides that 1st gear until around 2000 - 2100 RPM, then shifts to 2nd. The engine weirdly ramps up to high RPM at slow speeds then remembers it needs to shift to 2nd. I know I can manually time the shift much better, but for a $60k car with an auto-transmission, I shouldn't have to. I spoke with the dealer & they had no idea what I was talking about. I commented this issue on another RU-vidr channel (some Texas Ford dealer that made some informative videoss on Broncos) and he mentioned I could look into getting the transmission tuning reset by the factory, but since you & tons of people in the comment section are seeing a similar issue I figure the factory won't solve it.

Look at it this way...most jeep owners would be happy if they had only 5 things they hated about their jeeps. Their list is usually around 15-20 items. Lol

Do you know what I hate about the Bronco?……people who make videos about what they hate about Broncos.

The first to second shift was an issue I noticed when driving the 10AT off-road - this was one of the many reasons I think the 2.3L with the 7MT is my preference. I must be accustomed to lower brightness lights, I think they're great haha!

When I first saw the spec sheets on the new bronco I really wanted one. It was 100% the ecoboost and 10 speed that kept me from pulling the trigger. That decision was purely based on past experience with ecoboost "technology". If Ford had a NA option I would have given it far more consideration. My F150 work truck suffers from the same 1st to 2nd issues. It has 65k on it now and it's still doing it. Love the bronco otherwise, but I'll stick with my trusty old Taco for now. Keep up the great content!

Anyone know the wheel specs ? Thanks 🙏🏼

You're absolutely right about 1st to 2nd. It does drive me nuts.

We have driven a Badlands Sas Lux on and off road for a year and could not agree less with your 5 hates. Less turbo lag than any of our previous vehicles, super smooth shifting, headlights are very decent compared to most rentals and vehicles we owned. We do have other “hates” though such as wind noise, consistant rattling from different source (window rattles when open, rattling from the subwoofer, squeeks from the roof, etc) and a few other things. Compared back to back with a Jeep though, it’s much better for us.

Drive in sport for low turbo lag

I have no problems with my Badlands

You say hate in the title then in the intro say hates a strong word. Your word means nothing now 😂

Sure you're not waiting for the 10 speed to kick down and thinking it's lag? 🤷

In my 60 years on this earth, and having owned and driven over 40 different cars. I can tell you this. No car is perfect, and I have had cars from the simple basic cheap no options, to special ordering top of the line vehicles with every option possible. I have found that every car I have owned I have either had to custom make, custom alter the vehicle, or go third party aftermarket to make the vehicle the way I want it, or to correct flaws with it. Even then…. It still wasn’t perfect. However, there are about ten things that I wish ford had done different with the Bronco, that one can’t change (as far as I know) with after market parts or even custom parts.

Ford dumbs down our motors heavily, i have a ford ranger tremor and even tuned you will feel lag. Pedal commander is amazing and i felt it alot less when i started using one but once i upgraded the CAI and intercooler i never feel the turbo lag anymore.

I'm sure that alot of people noticed the hose clamps on the turbo pipes. To me it's a quality thing and a pride thing. Do you not think that they should have used a smaller clamp so the tail isn't so long flapping in the wind. It looks bad like they don't even care about shit like that and use whatever you have. So ya it's definitely a quality thing. I'm the one saying it and not everyone else. It's my opinion and not necessarily everyone else.👍🇨🇦🔧

Gripe 1. The turbo lag is from the Ford OEM tune not the turbos. Get a Whipple or Ford Performance tune reflash and you will be much happier with pedal response. Gripe 3. Again, get a Whipple or Ford Performance tune reflash. You will be MUCH happier.... and it is a tune issue to protect 1st gear from too much torque.

its a piece of crap

David, I had the same issue. I installed an Injen Intake, Injen upper and lower charge pipes and a Mishimoto Intercooler. I already had the Ford Procal tuner installed. Let me tell you it is like a differnet engine. It is amazing. Also the Ford Procal totally fixes/improves the shift points.

I have a Ford bronco 2023 black diamond made in November 2023 and they still haven’t fixed that issue with shifting through the first three gears. the shifting is absolute shit the car jerks between first and second and 2nd and third so initially I thought the issue was it’s a new vehicle and the gas pedals extra sensitive so I tried to just gradually press on the gas pedal and there’s no way to get it shift smoothly in the first three gears. I can’t imagine that Ford would turn off the learn function on the transmission and I can’t imagine that it would not void your warranty if you use Ford scan yourself, or someone else to do it.

nice to know

5:13 that is THE BEST description of how I feel about it. That made me laugh. I’m glad it’s not just me. 😂

It is a 2.7 with 2 turbos dude. Reprogram the ECU if you want more power. Get a new waste gate. The automatic is set up for your program.

For starters, why does your door sound like a 78’ Jimmy?? Lol.

Some have taken their Fords back to the dealership to have them turn off the transmission learn function. Those that have done this say the transmission shifts as it was designed to and not according to the learned information from the driver. Just a thought.

Yeah you wish you had a wrangler!

I have the 2.7 in my F150 and have zero turbo lag...I'd get that looked at if I was you.

That 10 speed is a crazy one....I have it in my 2022 Explorer ST and it feels kind of jolty and unrefined.

People need to STOP with these ultra bright headlights. IF you can't see, get glasses or stay off the roads. If you are offroading and need more lighting for that specific purpose, they make plenty of accessory lighting that you can add to your heart's desire. But the day we get rid of these ultra bright hyper white lights can't come soon enough. Great that you can see the world lit up from 20 miles away but you're blinding everyone else on the road, and I doubt that's safe.

I am at 21k with mine. No major issues yet. No gear issues in my 2023.

What about the lack of a solid axle? That doesn’t bother you?

Dude, you’re a Karen!

Grab handles are trading for frame design and airbag location. Easy to add. No ford liability.

I hate how the engine sounds on start up. I have 2.3L and it’s very noisy engine. Not like V8 grumble but just real ticky noises like something is breaking lol. It only sounds like that on start up but from what I hear it’s normal for these engines. I never knew a 4 cylinder could be so damn loud in the morning

The lag is the same in my 2018 Raptor with the 3.5 Eco boost...not good! Wait till you get into the 30-45K mile range and let us know if you have the cam phaser issues as we in the Raptor's have had...terrible engines..the shifting in Sport mode is sketchy with huge bumps between shifts...It is a tuning issue and can be resolved....

Possibly the purpose of the turbos kicking in a little later would be as an off road vehicle when trying to get out of deep ruts or rock you do not want sudden bursts at little over idle

Funny thing reading all these comments about the shifting. I live in the mountains and noticed the hard shifts immediately. Took it in and was told it was normal. A year later, and now losing power driving up hills at slow speeds, i took it back... dealer calls me to tell me they'll have it for 3 weeks as they have to replace the transmission as it slips in second, and i basically have no 3rd gear. Mastertech told me this is common in the 22's specifically.. just fyi.

HATE = Click-Bait, It's all about Liking / Loving This Bronco!! Keep it in Sport-Mode and you'll love it - less lag.

Keep an eye put for Diode Dynamics to make a better bulb for your Bronco. Maybe call them and ask if itlf anything coming.

I believe they fixed the shifting issue on 23 models. Mine doesn’t have that issue. The grab handles I agree with however my Jeep I had a few years ago didn’t come with them either, it was an after market fix. I haven’t noticed a turbo lag yet but I haven’t really pushed it yet so I’ll see. I haven’t had the experience with the lights you have, however my trucks Ford and Chevy have had terrible lights in bad weather conditions. Especially my Ford trucks.

Maybe the shift gear could be something with turbo engines, my 2018 Honda accord 2.0 is the same when I’m those gears (I somewhat notice it in my bronco but I guess I got used to it with my accord)

I like this but that markup has been so brutal. I have a 17 tacoma off road in quicksand so im real happy but this has been on my radar. I am also a tech so toyota vs ford in reliability...but i would like to drive one one day. They're real nice

Just spend the 150 bucks and have it tuned.

The lacking gutters do get me. I get a lot of water coming inside.

How many Jeep guys have switched to the bronco. Honestly wondering this

If you dont mind me asking, what offset are those wheels.... They look awesome, I went to the site and didn't realize they are hybrid wheels. They are what I have been looking for.

Love your content! You're the best! This is my obligatory comment to enhance your RU-vid algorithm performance.

Mine had the same issue from 1st to 2nd. Seems to have gone away at about 20k miles 🤷‍♂️

I have the 2.7 eco boost on my F150. 93,000 miles so far and no issues.

Turbo lag? I just got my Sasquatch with the 2.7 and haven’t experienced any turbo lag for say….I haven’t mashed on it hard from a stop or turn but half throttle or better and it just jumps on command! My wife and I both have broncos with the 2.7 . Hers is the base model with 3.73s with 35s and she doesn’t complain about power either….her old 17 ford edge had turbo lag and she bitched about it all the time 😅

Great info and agree on every point as the same issues with my Badlands. Love your wheels by the way.

I love my 23 bronco, my major issue to me is that it only has 2 cup holders ya I know to most that might not be an issue but when you have kids and theirs no place to put a cup than it’s becomes an issue

When your steering locked up in the snow….. and the wranglers were ok ….that was a deal breaker for me

The healight output is nothing to write home about... but i would say that it is comparible to other well equipped vehicles with nice healights.

The 4 doors. 2 doors only.

From what ive seen on the interwebs what your feeling is not turbo lag its a torque management program in the transmission and im with you on hating that dead spot when you nail the pedal. I think a tune will eventually fix this

You do know that bigger turbos don’t necessarily mean more torque? And for off-roading torque is more important than horsepower.

So how has reliability been? What milage are you at.

Get the bronco raptor PERIOD

Where do you get the OTG hat?

Sounds pretty bad. Probably the only thing left to do is drive it off a cliff.

I’d never buy eco-boost anything on any gas power plant. Call me paranoid… Unless it’s a diesel, no boost at all. I just want an engine to last over 150k without a major fix.

How did you get the bronco badging on the driver side?

So no regrets?

I have a 2021 Badlands Sasquatch. Totally agree. I added grab handles. Most annoying is the soft top dumping water on me when I am in the Chick-fil-A drive thru. Never really had an issue with the headlights at night on the trail. I downloaded the sport mode using Forscan software. No more turbo lag or transmission issue. Also removed the double honk. I race Jeeps and Tacoma's and generally harass them on the trail for fun. Baja mode is incredible. Speed is the Bronco's party piece.

small turbos and look how far they placed them from the motor, there the lag

Nice review. Would like to know what your average mpg is with the 2.7 engine. Thanks.

Jeep 4.0 I6. Argument complete.