2021 Ford Bronco Sport transmission and drivetrain problems
187 of the 699 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 30 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 187 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 11 · 2024: 60 · 2025: 65 · 2026: 42
Half of the 54 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 28,000 and 85,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
699 complaints in all about the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, 42 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Bronco Sport transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking while shifting into gear, while making turns, and while coming to a complete stop. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle rolled after shifting into park(P).
On 3/25/23, I was driving down a 40m and then completely shut down. The entire engph road. I had been stopped at a stoplight and as soon as I started to drive again, the car started moving forwardine, all power (dashboard lights, display screen, everything). I panicked and went to go turn the caution lights on--they wouldn't work.
Vehicle brought into dealership for Brake Recall. After this service, vehicle had loud metallic grinding sound when turning hard to the right under moderate acceleration. Vehicle was brought back to the dealership the next day, and the determination was there was damage to the Rear Differential due to a lubrication issue.
When accelerating, there is a lag in shifting. The engine revs, but the vehicle doesn’t move, like it’s in neutral. This happens in normal mode, eco mode, and sport mode (the only modes tested so far). There is also a grinding noise sometimes when vehicle is lit in “Drive”.
Vehicle got stuck in gear while traveling on highway. I would accelerate and the RPMs would shoot up but I was losing speed. I had to pull over, turn off the car and turn it back on. Some Ford dealerships told me they won’t even look at the transmission while others have a two week lead time to just look at it.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 24V267000 HighApr 12, 2024 · 456,565 vehicles
- 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.
- 21V011000 HighJan 15, 2021 · 147 vehicles
- 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.
30 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- SSM 54939 Service bulletinJun 16, 2026
- Some 2020-2026 Corsair/Escape, 2021-2026 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles equipped with an 8F35 transmission may exhibit a shudder condition, most noticeable at speeds below 60 mph (100 km/h), with no relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). Sometimes, this may be perceived/felt as an engine misfire. This may be due to the torque converter
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
U3000 P008A P00C6 P025A P025B P0627
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport
Source: the same files- electrical problems 214 complaints
- engine problems 176 complaints
- brake problems 128 complaints
- fuel system problems 122 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 187 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (27% of everything owners filed about it), and 30 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 24V267000, 21V011000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 54,569 miles; half of them between 28,000 and 85,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.