What 664 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Later Release

Continuously when I am driving the vehicle, it will randomly loose acceleration and come to an almost complete stop when driving, including on major interstates.

NHTSA ODI 11747377

The vehicle was parked in my parking garage and rolled away causing a collision. There were no warning lights indicating an issue. The vehicle is currently sitting at a shop awaiting warranty paperwork for a transmission replacement that was done last year.

NHTSA ODI 11746222

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle went forward. While in neutral, the vehicle moved forward. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V236000 (Power Train), but the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The alternator had been replaced previously. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11746182

The vehicle failed to shift back into Drive after being placed in Park, rendering it inoperable. As a result, the vehicle had to be pushed out of a busy driveway and towed to a local repair shop. The local repair shop was unable to diagnose or repair the issue because the required diagnostic equipment is specific to Ford vehicles and was not available to them. The shop advised that the transmission may have failed. After researching the issue, transmission failure has been reported as a known concern affecting early-model Ford Bronco Sport vehicles. Because the local shop could not complete the repair, the vehicle had to be towed a second time to the nearest Ford dealership. The Ford dealership confirmed a transmission failure and determined that the transmission required replacement. The dealership replaced the transmission at a total cost of $10,971.48. At the time of failure, the vehicle had fewer than 75,000 miles on the odometer. Given the relatively low mileage and the significant cost of repair, a complete transmission failure under normal operating conditions raises serious concerns regarding the reliability and durability of this component. The Ford dealership's description of the diagnosis, repairs performed, and parts replaced is provided below. 7000: *TRANSMISSION REPAIRS TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSIS (NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY, LEAKS, OTHER) - C/S: TRANS SEEMS TO NO GO INTO GEARS, WAS AT ANOTHER SHOP WHO COULD NOT REPAIR, ADVISE ON NEEDED REPAIRS PLEASE WENT FOR TEST DRIVE - VERIFIED CONCERN. PULLED VEHICLE INTO SERVICE BAY. SCANNED CODES - FOUND P07E1 UNABLE TO ENGAGE NEUTRAL. CHECKED OIL LEVEL AND CONDITION - WAS FULL BUT HAD CLUTCH AND METAL DEBRIS PRESENT. RECOMMEND TRANS REPLACEMENT. APPROVED. PULLED VEHICLE BACK INTO SERVICE BAY. REMOVED AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION. FLUSHED COOLER. PROGRAM STRATEGY AND FILL FLUID PER WSM. PERFORMED ADAPTIVE DRIVE CYCLE. TEST DROVE TWICE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTED WELL. PULLED TO BACK LOT.

NHTSA ODI 11744921

The rearend is making a shuddering on tight turns . Vehicle only has 24,700 miles on it. Unknown if oil is low in differential oil or if vent hose is plugged. May be contaminated oil in differential.

NHTSA ODI 11744585

THIS PROBLEM CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO SPUTTER AND JERK WHEN TRAVELING. I brought it to the dealership and they said to bring it back when the recall was submitted. This is ridiculous. So many recalls on this vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11744073

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that there was an abnormally loud grinding sound detected while driving, reversing, and turning the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, who related the failure to a recall. The mechanics referred the contact to the dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V011000 (Power Train), 21V074000 (Suspension) and 21V075000 (Suspension). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there were no open recalls. The dealer diagnosed and determined that the rear clutch needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11743659

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that the daughter had reported that while in a parking lot, the brakes unintendedly engaged, and then the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The driver immediately applied the brakes to stop the vehicle. The contact was able to duplicate the failure while attempting to park the vehicle. The messages "Power Train Malfunction" and "Reduced Power" were displayed, the power train warning light illuminated, and the parking brake warning light flashed continuously. The vehicle was being towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,236.

NHTSA ODI 11742661

Vehicle was sold to me with a bad transmission. Dealer is refusing to fix it or buyback the vehicle. There is a recall for potentially cracked fuel injector which poses a significant risk of fire under the hood, however it’s been almost a year and Ford still doesn’t have a fix for it.

NHTSA ODI 11742543

Transmission went out at 100k

NHTSA ODI 11736107

1. While driving my 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, Big Bend, ⁠the automatic transmission (Ford 8F35 8-speed automatic) experienced internal mechanical failure. The vehicle lost the ability to engage reverse gear and the check engine light illuminated. Ford authorized dealer Koons Woodbridge Ford [XXX] ) confirmed the failure under Repair Order #38386 with the finding: "VERIFIED CONCERN. THE TRANSMISSION HAS INTERNAL DAMAGE." The vehicle has not been repaired and is currently at the dealership. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?* ⁠Complete loss of reverse gear created an immediate safety hazard the vehicle cannot be moved out of parking spaces, driveways, or roadway positions where reversing is required to avoid a collision or escape danger. The failure occurred without warning during normal vehicle operation. An inability to select a transmission gear while in traffic or a parking situation creates collision risk for the driver, passengers, and surrounding vehicles and pedestrians. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? ⁠Yes. Ford authorized dealer Koons Woodbridge Ford confirmed the failure on May 4, 2026, under RO# XXX. Diagnosing technician: David Ford (Tech ID XXX). Official finding documented on the dealer repair estimate: "VERIFIED CONCERN. THE TRANSMISSION HAS INTERNAL DAMAGE." No repair has been authorized pending Ford Motor Company's goodwill review. *4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others?* ⁠Yes. The vehicle was inspected by Koons Woodbridge Ford, an authorized Ford Motor Company dealership, on May 4, 2026 (RO# XXX). Koons Woodbridge Ford is a Ford-franchised service center whose technicians are Ford-certified. The inspection confirmed INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11735594

I have 130,000 miles on my 2021 Ford Bronco sport. With no warning I'm unable to put vehicle in gear. I attempt to put the car into drive, then reverse and it will not go. The gear gets stuck in park, but unable to park, The car instructs me to intiated emergency park with many warning lights appearing. when driving it jerks , make grinding noises, and I even lost momentum. Ford said the help line states they have attempted to fix the codes and replace the parts on the inside of the transmission and no luck. Ford recommends a new transmission. I believe the 2021 Bronco sport have a faulty transmission and replacing with another will result with the same issue due to the transmission being a close system it isn't preventable. Many other owners have experienced this very same safety issue and Ford should address ot and be responsible.

NHTSA ODI 11735009

In January of 2026, I took my 2021 Ford bronco sport Outer Banks to the dealership because my car had a wrench light come on and it went into limp mode. Supposedly it was fixed and now it is April 2026 and my car went into limp mode again, it would not shift in the park and would not start and now the dealership is telling me that there’s transmission issues but from what I’ve read, there is clearly been a lot of transmission issues in these vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11735177

There has been a NHTSA recall for AWD module on 2021 and some newer Bronco sports. The letter in reference to this problem dates 4/9/2021 to include only certain VIN at the time based on manufacturing sites. I feel there has been an underestimation of vehicles/parts affected on this recall based on the fact that it included very limited vehicles only 4 month into production. There have been several more known to be experiencing this same exact issues as evidenced by many reviews online by bronco sport owners experiencing the same problem. Specifically detailing the triggering of same codes (mentioned in this letter) leading to faulty AWD module diagnosis and replacement at the owners cost. I have reached out to Ford North America to file a claim and have been told my VIN is not included, without even comparing with specific part serial number. In addition, I have found the part #LX6Z-7P238-AANP as replacement referred in the letter has now recently been replaced with a newer more expensive version with a different name and part number M1PZ*7P238*C. I also find it significant that the old part is still for sale at a now discounted price on ford OEM website as of today. I believe this indicates there are known problems with this original part causing need for an updated replacement. Given this evidence l, I feel it is only fair that Ford acknowledges vehicles with the same problem/part are experiencing these issues and be willing to extend the recall. I have reached out to North American Ford and have a claim #Cxh-07823745-c2n6y4. In hopes that they will do what’s right for this customer and replace at no charge, aware that it is defective. My vehicle is currently at the dealership and I am hoping for a fair resolution. Thank you for your time and attention.

NHTSA ODI 11734924

Since purchasing the vehicle, I have had ongoing issues: a rattling noise when accelerating, a squeaking noise in reverse, and a fuel odor. The fuel injector recall (NHTSA 25V467) is still open, and Ford has not provided a remedy." Keep it simple and focused on the recurring noise and the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11734216

The rpm will shoot up to 6 without movement. It doesn’t want to stop or go and it says park is unavailable. There have been many recalls on this vehicle, this is a premature failure and a huge safety concern the resulted in my car being undrivable.

NHTSA ODI 11734139

On December 13, 2025, we drove to Flagstaff, Arizona from Tucson, Arizona, where we live. As we came into town, the Bronco began to lurch and seemed to have difficulty shifting. I managed to make it to the Babbitt Ford service center’s parking lot, where it seized and died altogether. It stayed at Babbitt Ford where they worked on it until February 3, 2026. They replaced the transmission at great expense. On Feburary 3, we drove it home to Tucson. The next day, February 4, it died in the road twice, once in a major intersection. The first time it eventually resarted. The second time it died completely and required a special tow truck because we couldn't even get it into neutral to roll. It was towed to Holmes Tuttle Ford where they kept it for a week but were able to eventually restart it. They had it for 5 days, ran a diagnostic and reset the system. They drove it for over 80 miles and couldn’t recreate the problem. Then on February 25, I drove to Phoenix. While in Phoenix, it again inextricably had trouble shifting, died and wouldn’t start. I then had it towed to Camelback Ford. On March 6, Camelback Ford called and said they ran numerous tests and still can’t pinpoint the problem and the vehicle still won’t start or shift into neutral.

NHTSA ODI 11733302

Transmission failed - vehicle completely lost power alternating with shuddering and full stopping without braking at slower speeds. Vehicle revved at very high RPMs at low speed, and struggled to shift. Sometimes, when shifted into reverse, vehicle would unexpectedly roll forward almost an entire car length. Transmission fully failed on freeway doing highway speeds of 75+ MPH. Full transmission failure has been confirmed by Ford dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11733423

My 2021 ford bronco sport had a very dangerous issue on April 4th 2026. Nearly run over by a huge semi. Traveling at 70 miles per hour on I- 5 my vehicle had a sudden loss of power and wrench light went on, no prior signs. Semi traveling behind me nearly crashed into semi in the next lane as he slammed on his brakes and veered to the left to avoid running me over. Caused a big problem with the transmission .. Ford dealership now has car. Corning ford, Ca Unsafe to ever drive again with no remedy to fix this deadly problem. Recall 25s76 Powertrain control module. Third time this vehicle had a reset for this recall issue.

NHTSA ODI 11730190

While driving, the vehicle stutters during acceleration, creating hesitation and inconsistent power delivery. This occurs during normal driving conditions and has not improved after being inspected by a dealership. The issue has been reproduced multiple times and remains unresolved. The vehicle was taken in for service, but no effective repair was provided, and the condition persists. There is an active recall related to a potential fuel injector defect, which may cause fuel to accumulate on top of the engine. The recall remedy is currently unavailable. Given the ongoing stuttering and known fuel system issue, there is concern this condition is related. This creates a safety risk, particularly when merging into traffic or accelerating from a stop, as the vehicle does not respond consistently. No warning lights have consistently appeared. The issue continues despite dealership involvement and lack of available recall repair.

NHTSA ODI 11727115

My car has been stalling at stops and I am unable to fill my car as it will not start so I have to put increments of 10-15.00 at a time they have told me now for over three months that parts were on back order and the recall that can catch my entire car on fire while driving cannot be fixed as their is no fix for it. Multiple issues continue to pile on when the vehicle isn’t even 5 years old

NHTSA ODI 11726118

Powertrain and engine warning light illuminated 10/25 /25 first time Same problem again on 2/11/26 Same problem on 3/16/26 Same problem on 3/20/26 Three service stations can not fix problem : ford country nv Camelback, AZ Steve Coury Az

NHTSA ODI 11725962

We were told by the dealership that our 2021 Ford Bronco Sport with only 83,831 has a failed transmission and will need to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11725459

dragging, grinding, or rubbing noises from the rear of a 2021 Bronco Sport during low-speed turns are a known issue commonly associated with a faulty rear drive unit (RDU), often appearing around 40k-60k miles. This problem, sometimes described as a, shutter or chattering, is often tied to contaminated fluid caused by a defective or improperly designed vent hose that allows debris to enter the system.

NHTSA ODI 11721766

The transmission failed to shift out of a forward gear when selected. Reverse was selected and the vehicle moved forward into a dangerous situation. It resisted stopping as the brakes were applied. There is no "key" to shut off. I was forced to vigorously apply the brakes to avoid a collision with a train. The car is undriveable. The dealer inspection and an independent inspection confirmed that the transmission was failing in a manner that they were both aware of. Replacement cost has proven to be prohibitive. Numerous warning lamps began to illuminate as the problem was discovered.

NHTSA ODI 11721545