Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Ford Bronco Sport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started losing motive power. A message advising a power train failure was displayed. The driver was able to exit the highway at 15 MPH. The vehicle was driven to a nearby dealer, where the computer was rebooted; however, the failure recurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times, and the transmission was rebuilt. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The contact stated while her husband was driving 70-80 MPH, the vehicle lost electrical power and stalled. The check engine and the power train warning lights were illuminated. The driver was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart but failed to exceed 15 MPH. The driver continued driving on the shoulder of the roadway. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the instrument panel malfunctioned, with the message "Pull Over and Restart the Engine" displayed. The battery was replaced, and failure was resolved. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that later while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking while changing gear. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power and was shaking abnormally. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the RPM became elevated; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to exit the high and parked in a parking lot. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and became aware that the wrench symbol was displayed. The contact shifted into reverse to exit the parking lot and "Low Power Mode" warning light flashed on the instrument panel. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a dealer at speeds below 30 MPH. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
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). The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be test-driven. The dealer informed the contact that no issues were found; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a brake recall repair, the dealer informed her that the vehicle was experiencing transmission failure; however, the mechanic could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while her son was at a stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle shut off without warning, and started to roll backwards. The contact's son applied the parking brake and later restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, several warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the battery was drained. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V267000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN); however, the contact expressed concern that the same failure might return. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, an audible warning chime was coming from the vehicle with the temperature gauge was hot(H). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where coolant was added; however, the failure returned. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V267000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but was unable to confirm when the parts would become available. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The Fire Department was called, and the engine temperature was checked inside and outside the vehicle and it was determined that the engine had overheated. …
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 Engine", "Charging System Service Now", "Pre-Collision Assist not Available", "Front Camera Temporarily Unavailable", "Service Vehicle Soon", and "Check Brake System" were displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced and the body control module software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred five months later. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that after refueling and starting the vehicle, the front of the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle the shaking ceased. The local dealer was contacted, and a service tech was sent to repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V267000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN) however, the abnormal shaking returned. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the abnormal shaking persisted, and the contact waited for the shaking to cease before the vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced, and the engine needed some undisclosed repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up after several attempts with several unknown messages displayed. After an hour, the contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the dealer. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V267000 (Electrical System, Power Train). The contact was informed that software updates were performed on both the Body Control Module (BCM) and the Powertrain Control Module (PCMP). The contact stated that several days later while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after waiting for nearly an hour. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling at a stop sign, after driving a 5-hour trip, the contact attempted to make a right turn and the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The vehicle revved up as if attempting to accelerate at a higher speed, but the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated; however, the warning lights on the instrument panel flickered when the failure occurred. The contact was able to get to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the nearest dealer. The dealer was unable to retrieve a diagnostic trouble code for the failure. The dealer was also unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V267000 (Electrical System, Power Train). …
Related recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
Transmission complaints in other Bronco Sport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport?
NHTSA has 189 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, 27% of the model year's 709 complaints. The component named most often is driveline › differential unit (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Ford Bronco Sport transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 25V-158 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), Mar 14, 2025); NHTSA recall 21V-011 (driveshaft, Jan 15, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Ford Bronco Sport transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.