So, My 2023 Ford Bronco With Less Than 20,000 Miles, the Paint Is Melting and the Dealer Won’t Fix It Saying It’s User Error

"So, this is what Built Ford Tough looks like," Jackie says, pointing out paint damage on her 2023 Bronco.

Should Ford fix Jackie's 2023 Ford Bronco's paint damage under warranty? Her Bronco Outer Banks has less than 20,000 miles and is still under the new vehicle warranty. However, the Ford dealer says it's not the vehicle's paint; it's user error.

Jackie Escobar (@jackie_escobar15) reveals the damage on her TikTok video, showing damage to the vehicle's paint in the driver's mirror and the front grille area. 

Jackie says, 

"My Ford Bronco is literally melting, and I don't know what to do."

Check out Jackie's story, and then I'll examine if other Ford Bronco owners have similar paint issues.

She says, "If you currently own a Bronco or are considering buying a Ford Bronco, this is a warning for you. So, I own a 2023 four-door Outer Banks Bronco, and as of tomorrow, I've owned it for two years." 

"My warranty covers the car for 3 years/36,000 miles, whichever comes first, and I have under 20,000 miles on my Bronco. The Ford dealer is saying they will not cover the paint damage." 

Here is what is going on with her Bronco.

Jackie continues, "The paint is severely damaged on my driver's side mirror. There is also damage in two spots on the front grill. This is Ford saying that it's built to their Ford tough standards." 

The Ford dealer refuses to cover the paint issues under warranty.

"The dealership said they won't cover it because it's a user error. But I do not put harsh chemicals or park near a heat source. I have hand-washed my Bronco since day one." 

Does the Ford Bronco have paint issues?

It appears that Jackie isn't the only Ford Bronco owner with paint problems.

Some 2023 Ford Bronco owners on Bronco6G Forum and the Ford Bronco Sport Forum have reported paint issues, including bubbling, peeling, and chipping, with some owners suggesting the paint quality is thin or cheap compared to other manufacturers. 

Danny says, "I have weird paint bubble defects On my two, too, on the hood, fender, and fender flare. The dealer had it a week and repainted the hood, decided to skip the rest and the top, in which someone sanded something off on one side of the plastic top and had paint on one of the t-top panels. I have to fight with them about the top next week. I'm really disappointed. They're painting the fender and flare on Monday. I don't know what they will do for the top."

Another Ford Bronco Owners says,

Tim says, "I've seen people that damaged their paint claim to have a paint issue (back edge of hood), and I have seen issues where the car damaged itself (by the headlights), and I have seen people claim legit paint issues (blisters and such) and it seems to be at least somewhat color dependent. I see a lot more complaints about A51 paint, but that's a more common color, too."

"In my anecdotal opinion, the Ford paint is thin and cheap compared to some other car manufacturers. However, I haven't encountered any true "paint defects" with my Cyber Orange paint. I've had issues mostly involving the many bits of plastic attached to the car. I only hand wash and rarely pressure wash with a widespread and some distance."

Should Ford Cover the Paint Defect Under Warranty?

Jess says in the comments section,  "I'm a Ford dealer employee. This 100% is covered in your provided Bumper to Bumper warranty. Take it to a different dealership; the one you're going to must not want to do body work!"

Here's a more detailed look at the paint issues being reported:

• Bubbling and Peeling: Some owners have reported paint bubbling and peeling, particularly on the hood, fenders, and fender flares. 
• Chipping: Paint chipping under the bolts for hard top mounting points has also been reported. 
• Paint Drips and "Globs": Some owners have noticed paint drips on the bottom of doors and "globs" of extra material on the a-pillar. 
• Color Dependency: Some owners have suggested that paint issues are more prevalent with certain colors, like A51 (Ford: Area 51 Blue), a more common color. This is the color of Jackie's Ford Bronco.  
• Ford's Remedy: Ford has been removing weather stripping on 2023 models and repainted affected models under warranty. 

What Should Ford Bronco Owners Do?

Ford should cover any paint defect under the new vehicle warranty. In Jackie's case, her vehicle has less than 20,000 miles, and it should be covered. She needs to either go to another Ford dealer or contact Ford customer service if she can't get a resolution. 

Jackie concludes, "I had nothing bad to say about my Ford Bronco until now! It's been only two years, and this was my dream car."

How About You?

Do you own a Ford Bronco, and have you had paint issues? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Ford Bronco story: My 2024 Ford Bronco With 600 Miles On It Died In Rural Arkansas With My Fiancé Driving, I Was a Big Ford Fan, But Not Any Longer

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Jackie Escobar