2021 Ford Bronco Sport transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 25V158000Mar 14, 202548,041 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-267. The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.

  Risk: An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S26.

• Recall 24V267000Apr 12, 2024456,565 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.

  Risk: An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 4, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S24.

• Recall 21V011000Jan 15, 2021147 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Edge, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles. An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.

  Risk: If the rear drive unit seizes, there may be a loss of drive and/or a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level. Axles found to have lubricant at the minimum level will be filled to the full level. Axles found to be below the minimum lubricant fill level will be replaced, free of charge. This recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S02.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 6, 2026IATransmission & Drivetrain

   The rear differential went out on my Bronco Sport. Ford has issued a TSB, but has not widely promoted it. I've been told if I drive it, it could have a catastrophic failure resulting in an accident. My vehicle has been sitting at a Ford dealership for 7 weeks now and the part is not anticipated to be released to the dealership for over another month. No loaner was provided either.

   NHTSA complaint #11769362 · source
2. Filed Oct 3, 2026MOSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   The rear drive unit (RDU) is the suspected culprit for a harsh rubbing sound which occurs during turns at low speed, typically 20mph or less. Safety is a concern because the manufacturer has identified several issues with this year/model and its RDU, and the concern is contaminated lubricants can cause unseen damage leading to the potential loss of motive power or uneven power distribution. I was lucky to have found the problem before it became significantly worse. Ford has…

   NHTSA complaint #11768732 · source
3. Filed Sep 28, 2026INTransmission & Drivetrain

   At around 75,000 miles, we noticed a small, occasional transmission shudder. We were told that these vehicles feel like that sometimes. We brought it up again around 100,000 miles. We were told we needed to change the purge valve assembly. We did. It did not help. We took the vehicle to a transmission shop and were told that the torque converter was slipping, and that the transmission needed rebuilt or replaced. We took it back to Ford to confirm. They quoted us for a…

   NHTSA complaint #11767535 · source
4. Filed Sep 26, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission has failed with known issues beforehand. Ford has repaired many of these transmissions free of charge even though they were out of warranty now they are denying my claim because it is 6000 miles out of warranty. However, the transmission has been acting up since we bought it. There are OEM replacement parts available for this transmission that are modified to prevent the type of failure we are dealing with.

   NHTSA complaint #11767102 · source
5. Filed Sep 15, 2026LAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle's entire powertrain and transmission system failed completely. The vehicle will not turn on, will not start, and the electronic rotary gear shifter is physically locked out, refusing to shift into Park or Neutral. The transmission assembly component is currently available for physical inspection upon request. The sudden loss of powertrain and electrical control module communication caused an immediate loss of motive power, stalling the vehicle and leaving it…

   NHTSA complaint #11764495 · source
6. Filed Sep 11, 202611,000 miALBrakesEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle and the vehicle sputtered. The ABS, traction control, engine, seat belt, battery, and other unknown warning lights illuminated, and the messages, "System off to Save Battery - Please turn off to Start…

   NHTSA complaint #11763559 · source
7. Filed Sep 8, 2026OKElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   I had recalls for body control module and power train control module calibration updates. i took it to my ford dealership on august 12th, 2026 they had it done with within the day i picked it up. within a week after (i don’t drive my car much just to work mostly) i had an error come up on my dash saying the powertrain control had failed and i was unable to put my car in park. i immediately called the dealership they asked me to bring it back in. they ended up giving me a…

   NHTSA complaint #11762943 · source
8. Filed Sep 6, 2026PATransmission & Drivetrain

   Car is failing to pick up speed and shuttering around 20mph to 60mph. Took it to the dealer and they said it’s the transmission. Im currently in talks with dealership about a goodwill repair. I’m at approx 65000 miles and warranty ended at 60000. I previously contacted Ford dealership to complain about the issue before the warranty was up. I was told I would have to pay $149 for a diagnostic on the vehicle so I took it to my repairman and no codes came up. He changed the…

   NHTSA complaint #11762406 · source
9. Filed Sep 4, 2026WVEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is subject to Ford Safety Recall 25S76 / NHTSA Recall 25V467 concerning cracked fuel injectors that may leak fuel and create an under-hood fire risk. This recall was issued in July 2025. Approximately 14 months later, Ford still has not made the final repair available for my vehicle. I had Ford’s interim PCM software update performed by an authorized Ford dealer on December 12, 2025. My repair order specifically identifies the work as “Campaign…

   NHTSA complaint #11762129 · source
10. Filed Aug 16, 2026WAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    The vehicle was slowing down after leaving a stop light and within a short distance completely shut down no lights no power nothing wouldnt start to put in neutral so we can get it from the middle of traffic on a 2 lane highway. After about 15 minutes of trying to see what the issues was it turned over and we put the car in gear and pushed ot to the side of the road

    NHTSA complaint #11757286 · source
11. Filed Aug 4, 2026ALTransmission & Drivetrain

    Engine sputtering between 1st and 2nd gear. Recall is still not resolved regarding computer update at this time and dealership said no code no repair for over a year. Now i must replace the transmission. Ford has known about the issue many tsb issued for the powertrain issue.

    NHTSA complaint #11754758 · source
12. Filed Jul 27, 2026INTransmission & Drivetrain

    When making a slower turn mainly when turning to the right or backing up to the right the RS rear wheel is intermittently locking upor dragging and letting loose multiple times in a row. It does it turning to the left but not as bad. This issue causes the vehicle to not want to drive correctly or want to move especially when at an intersection turning right so I have to give it excessive gas to get it going, this issue also is making it very dangerous when pulling out when…

    NHTSA complaint #11753173 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology