Why is it so hard to buy a Ford Bronco?

The 2021 Ford Bronco is an elusive beast, indeed. After years of build-up, the Bronco hit the market at one of the strangest times in recent history for the automotive market. Between supply chain issues, COVID shutdowns, and massive demand, the new Ford Bronco delays have made them nearly impossible to get. Well, Ford has shared some insider tips on how to get a new Ford Bronco even if it feels impossible. 

Why is it so hard to buy a Ford Bronco?
2022 Ford Bronco | Ford

Can you buy a 2021 Ford Bronco? 

The new Bronco is technically available to buy, but actually getting the Bronco you want or even ordered, is a different story. Thankfully, Ford really wants us to have the new Bronco as much as the reservations holders want their SUVs. So, Ford has given us a few secret tips to possibly get our trucks a little sooner. 

These tips are mostly useful for folks who already have a Ford Bronco earmarked for them that hasn’t been built or left the factory yet. But if you know how to work the waiting list and build sheet, you may be able to get your Tonka truck for Christmas – or at least by next Christmas. 

What is keeping the 2021 Ford Bronco delayed? 

Why is it so hard to buy a Ford Bronco?
Ford Bronco | Scott Olson/Getty Images

RELATED: 2021 Ford Bronco Just Bucked the Haters by Disrespecting Hell’s Gate

MotorTrend references BroncoG6, saying that a memo to Ford dealers details some insider secrets to help Broncos get built faster. It seems there are three “Constrained Commaditites” that are slowing down production. Ford the memo to dealers is basically saying, if you don’t have these options, the production is likely to move much quicker. 

So, what are the three “constrained commodities” that could put the Bronco behind? Paint Protection Film, the Trailer Tow package, and the MIC (Molded-in-Color) Hard Top. Unfortunately, that hardtop, which has been a consistent problem for Ford, is standard on the two-door Broncos. 

These options and features are obviously pretty popular, but if the memo is basically suggesting that dealers order their Bronco’s sans these features and simply get them done down the road when production is back on track. 

Keep in mind taking these features off your order isn’t a guarantee, but it surely might help. Although getting a stripped-down version might be disappointing to some Bronco Buyers, I’d argue it’s much better to get your truck within months than years potentially. Keep in mind, newly made Bronco order delivery estimates are being pushed back years.

Is the Bronco out yet? 

Even though the Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport have been out for nearly the same amount of time, there are far more Bronco Sports out in the wild. Although it may feel as though there are zero big Broncos out roaming free, that’s not exactly the case. 

November 2021 sales and production numbers show decent increases over October, according to MotorTrend. November Bronco sales totaled 8,287 vehicles, and November Bronco production comes in at 10,504 Broncos produced. Year-to-date numbers indicate 25,855 Broncos sold and 43,711 Broncos produced. Those numbers may be a little hard to believe, but that’s the shakedown. There are Broncos to be had; it is simply a matter of making the right order, being patient, and time. 

Don’t lose hope. Maybe these tips from Ford can help move some Bronco orders along. Here’s to hoping. 

RELATED: The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Got Slaughtered By the 2021 Subaru Forester on Consumer Reports

I. How Auto Navigator Works

A. Pre-qualification for Auto Financing:

Prior to visiting a participating dealer, submitting a request to pre-qualify for auto financing will allow for a review to determine whether you pre-qualify. But don’t worry, it won’t impact your credit score. If you pre-qualify, you will be able to see your monthly payments, APRs, and offers for vehicles you may be considering.

B. Finding Your Car:

Auto Navigator provides participating dealers' advertised inventory to help you search and save your favorites to find the car that works best for your budget and lifestyle. And although we can't guarantee that participating dealers display all of the vehicles they have available for sale, you can still use your pre-qualification at any participating dealers. Don't forget, your pre-qualification can only be used to buy one, personal-use vehicle. Inventory availability is subject to change without notice.

C. Personalizing Your Offer:

Adjust things like your down payment, term length, and more to build the deal that's right for you. Remember, you can use your mobile phone to configure pre-qualified financing for vehicles you're considering and compare your options at the dealer.

D. Purchasing at a Participating Dealer:

When you visit a participating dealer, show them your Auto Navigator pre-qualification offer for the vehicle you would like to finance. When available, before visiting the dealer, you can provide the dealer with your most up-to-date personal, contact, residence, income, and employment information, as well as your proposed financing terms, pre-qualification status, information about the vehicle you may be interested in financing, and saved cars at that dealer by using the ‘Check Availability’ button (this feature is not available for all dealers and is not a required step). If you choose to do so, you’ll also let the dealer know your preferred method of communication so the dealer may contact you to discuss next steps. When you arrive at the dealership, you can test drive the car, and you will fill out a credit application and provide any information needed for review to complete your financing. A credit application at the dealer will result in one or more inquiries posted to your credit file. After negotiating purchase terms and receiving dealer credit approval, you will sign a contract with the dealer reflecting both your purchase and financing terms. Your purchase will result in a retail installment contract with the dealer as the original creditor.

II. Capital One Auto Finance Restrictions and Important Information

A. Customer's Age, State, and Income Restrictions:

To pre-qualify, you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid street address within the contiguous United States. A valid APO/FPO address also works. Auto Navigator is not available to residents of Alaska or Hawaii and Post Office Box addresses can’t be used as the address on your pre-qualification request. Minimum monthly income required is $1,500. Also, any existing Capital One accounts must be in good standing (meaning not over limit, past due, or delinquent).

B. Pre-qualification Offers:

Pre-qualification does not guarantee that you’ll receive financing or any particular financing terms, which are subject to change based on Capital One’s evaluation of your credit application submitted at the dealer and any required documents, and may vary depending on the dealership selling the vehicle(s) you’re interested in financing. Your Capital One pre-qualification expires 30 days from the date your request for pre-qualification is received. If you’ve recently applied for and funded another loan with Capital One Auto Finance, you may no longer be eligible to get a new loan with your Capital One Auto Finance pre-qualification. Any other financing offers are subject to the terms of the offering party.

C. APR1:

APR is the Annual Percentage Rate. Pre-qualified financing terms depend on the individual's credit and key financing characteristics, including but not limited to the amount financed, term, loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, down payment amount, and vehicle characteristics, and may vary depending on the dealership selling the vehicle(s) you may be interested in financing. Advertised APRs shown are current as of March 3, 2020. Also, down payment, rebate, or trade-in is required in some situations to complete purchase. Advertised and pre-qualified rates and financing terms are subject to change without notice. Your actual APR will be based on your specific situation.

D. Vehicle Type Restrictions2:

Your Capital One pre-qualification can only be used at participating dealers, but don’t worry, there are plenty to choose from. Here’s what is required to finance a vehicle:

  • A new or used car, light truck, minivan, or SUV for personal use
  • The vehicle must have fewer than 120,000 miles and its model year must be within the last 10 years.

In some instances, an older model year or higher mileage vehicle (up to 150,000 miles) may be eligible.

We want you to find a vehicle you really love, but Capital One Auto Finance doesn’t finance certain vehicle makes including but not limited to, Oldsmobile, Daewoo, Saab, Suzuki, or Isuzu vehicles. We don’t offer financing for commercial vehicles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles (RVs), ATVs, boats, camper vans, motor homes, vehicles with a history of chronic malfunctions and/or manufacturer or dealer buy back (also referred to as a lemon), branded title vehicles, or vehicles without a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or title issued. We may determine a vehicle to be commercial or otherwise ineligible based on the model and/or information provided to us.

E. Amount Financed Restrictions:

For new and used vehicles, the minimum amount financed is $4,000. The amount you’re pre-qualified up to is based on your income, key credit characteristics, the vehicle you’re purchasing, the specific dealership you’re purchasing the vehicle from, and/or the details of the financing deal, like whether you trade in a vehicle. This amount is also subject to verification of the personal income you put on your request for pre-qualification. The amount financed may include the dealer advertised price, tax, title, licensing fees, dealer fees, and any optional products, like service contract and/or extended warranty, that you choose to purchase from the dealer. Capital One Auto Finance may not provide financing for all optional products offered by a participating dealer.

F. Participating Dealer Requirements:

Capital One Auto Finance provides financing for new and used vehicles purchased from participating dealers listed on Auto Navigator. Participating dealers are subject to change. Also, we don’t offer financing for vehicles purchased from non-participating dealers, auto brokers, or private party sellers.

III. Participating Lender Restrictions

A. Eligibility for Participating Lenders:

Eligibility for auto financing pre-qualification from participating lenders is determined by the information you submitted, along with the personal credit profile from credit reporting agencies that is obtained by Capital One through your Auto Navigator pre-qualification request.

You may not be eligible to submit a request for pre-qualification to participating lenders; so if you’re not eligible, you won’t see an option to do so.

Participating lenders may have their own eligibility restrictions, such as requiring that you be at least 18 years of age, live within the contiguous United States, meet minimum income requirements, and purchase a vehicle for personal use that meets their specified year, make, model, and/or mileage restrictions.

B. Pre-qualification Offers:

Pre-qualification does not guarantee that you’ll receive financing or any particular financing terms, which are subject to change based on the participating lender’s evaluation of your credit application submitted at the dealer and any required documents, and may vary depending on the dealership selling the vehicle(s) you’re interested in financing. The expiration of your pre-qualification is subject to the lender's terms and may be different from Capital One’s. If you pre-qualified for auto financing with a participating lender and don’t see that pre-qualification when you log into your Auto Navigator account, you may access your pre-qualification at the website where you submitted that pre-qualification request.

Some participating lenders may have membership eligibility requirements, and some may pay Capital One if you finance with them.

C. Participating Dealer Requirements:

Participating lenders provide financing for new and used vehicles purchased from participating dealers, and those dealers are subject to change, and may vary by participating lender.

IV. Auto Navigator Product Terms and Disclosures

A. * Pre-qualified Auto Financing Terms:

Your pre-qualified auto financing terms, including monthly payment and Annual Percentage Rate (APR), aren’t final until your financing is completed at a participating dealer with the lender offering auto financing. These pre-qualified auto financing terms are based on information you provide and might change if you update any information on the Auto Navigator website, with a participating lender, or at the dealer. Capital One and participating lenders do not guarantee that the dealer will provide you with all terms outlined in your pre-qualification offer. Terms online are provided based on common monthly increments, but other terms may be available at the dealership when purchasing the vehicle. Not everyone qualifies for each of these term lengths though.

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We love hearing what our customers have to say about Auto Navigator. And all of our customer reviews are submitted by validated Capital One customers who purchased vehicles using Auto Navigator. Some product ratings and reviews may be from customers with different versions of the product displayed above.

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Capital One uses third party information, otherwise available, to help make your auto financing experience better. Third party information includes, but is not limited to, trade-in values, car images, dealer reported mileage, fuel economy, dealer advertised price and car details, and car history reports. Remember, third parties, including the dealer, provide this information and Capital One doesn’t sell vehicles, doesn’t sell any optional products, and doesn’t make any express or implied representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy of the third party information. You should verify the accuracy of any third party information on your own. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Dealer advertised prices may be negotiable and may not include tax, title, license, and other fees charged by the dealer. Other fees may also include, but are not limited to, document fees, dealer preparation fees, and delivery charges. You should verify with the dealer what’s included in the dealer advertised price. We also provide a historical estimate of the tax, title, and license fees based on the state the dealership is located in to show you how they impact your financing terms.

Any available car history reports are provided by CarFax®. You can visit the CarFax® website for additional information on their services. Trade-in valuations are powered by Kelley Blue Book® data to provide estimates of what you may be able to receive from the dealer by trading in your car. Kelley Blue Book® Price Advisor is also powered by Kelley Blue Book® data to provide you with information on what other customers have paid for like cars in your area. Kelley Blue Book® valuation methods are not determined or maintained by Capital One. You can visit the Kelley Blue Book® website for additional information on their services. Third party websites, such as Kelley Blue Book® and CarFax®, are not maintained by Capital One.

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Why are Ford Broncos so hard to get?

New Broncos Are Reportedly Sitting Undelivered Due to Chip Shortage. The Ford Bronco stockpile is growing once again. A massive number of Ford Broncos have been spotted parked up outside of Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant. The build-up of SUVs is directly tied to the global semiconductor shortage, Auto News reports.

Why can't you buy a Bronco?

Article QuickTakes. The best way to get a deal on a 2022 Ford Bronco is not to buy one—yet. With severe shortages in manufacturing, shipping, and labor caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, it's a challenging time for car buyers.

What is the current wait time for a Ford Bronco?

It will 3 months before they build the first MY23. Job 1 is scheduled for 11/14/2022.

Why does it take so long to get a Bronco?

We have some bad news for Ford Bronco fans. You may have to wait even longer than expected to get your 2021 or 2022 Ford Bronco models. The Bronco is facing more delays and struggles with limited inventory due to the Ambassador Bridge blockade.