Multiple reports of similar damages are cropping up, and Ford is allegedly rejecting warranty claims.
The Ford Bronco is one of the most capable off-roaders money can buy, but that doesn't mean it's perfect. The SUV has been plagued with faults in the last few months, and it seems a new problem has reared its ugly head.
Bronco drivers have posted complaints on the Bronco6G forum, issuing warnings about the Trail Turn Assist function. The problem pertains to the rear axle assembly plug welds. The first problem was discovered in April when a '22 Bronco owner discovered the plug welds were missing on the axle tubes. Worryingly, a Ford dealership has reportedly said it won't cover the repair “because I took it off-road,” writes the owner Baja_bronco.
Ford
That goes against what Ford’s warranty literature says. “Using the vehicle as described in the Owner’s Manual > Driving Hints/Four-Wheel Drive, does not void the vehicle’s warranty.”
So what is causing this problem? Affected owners believe it could be the Trail Turn Assist. This system enables owners to maneuver the Bronco in tricky or tight spots. The system reduces the turning radius by using the brakes to halt the inner rear wheel while turning around this fixed pivot point. This allows the vehicle to pull off high-steering-angle turns at low speeds.
One owner believes the Bronco's rear axles simply aren't strong enough to handle this feature. “The rear axles … are not designed well enough to handle Trail Turn Assist with these rear axles (unless you brace the axle tubes and pumpkin),” wrote user badbronc4x4.
Ford
“The axle tubes aren't welded properly from the factory to handle the force of the inner tire braking while activating Trail Turn Assist in our vehicles. You're literally applying tons of pressure to the axle tubes while it brakes the inner tire,” they added.
Like the first owner, the second vehicle's warranty will reportedly not cover the repair. The vehicle in question has aftermarket components fitted, and, allegedly, the dealer won't even send the warranty claim to the Blue Oval. Obviously, this is very frustrating, but there's still too little evidence to make this a serious issue – for now, just two owners have voiced concerns over this issue.
Ford
Perhaps Trail Turn Assist does place strain on the rear axle, and vehicles with defective plug welds may bear the brunt of the increased forces. This could also have occurred because the Broncos in question were modified in some way, with aftermarket suspension or aftermarket wheels. It's not out of the question for manufacturers to deny warranty claims for modified vehicles, so that may be the case.
We've contacted Ford for comment and will update the article once we receive communication from the brand.
The Bronco has suffered several quality issues in the past. Last year, an owner was disappointed by the state of his brand-new vehicle when it was delivered with scratches and paint flaws. Several recalls were issued for the Bronco in the past year, including steering lock-up issues, faulty backup cameras, and wheel detachment concerns.
Ford
Keyword: Ford Bronco Owners Fuming After Trail Turn Assist Damages Rejected Under Warranty