2021 Ford Bronco Sport · symptom sheet
Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems
- 35owner reports
- 44,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jun 16, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
183 of the 696 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 35 of those describe drivetrain problems.
Tick what matches of 35 reports
Drivetrain problems on other Bronco Sport years
No other Bronco Sport model year has enough reports of drivetrain problems for a sheet of its own. See every Bronco Sport year.
What this problem usually is
Drivetrain reports describe the parts between the transmission and the wheels. Owners hear a clunk or bang from underneath, feel a vibration that rises and falls with speed, find fluid leaking under the differential, or get a 4WD or AWD warning. Some say it only happens turning or at low speed. A smaller group describes a driveshaft or axle that let go.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the differential (28 reports) and the CV joint or axle (9 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.
An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.
All 16 recalls on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 27,000 and 70,000 miles, from the 21 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Vehicle is experiencing issues with shuttering from the rear differential and a 4wd fault code with vehicle just out of warranty. Rear differential speed sensor has failed and possibly need entire rear differential unit relaxed Iâm told. Also water pump on engine has failed prematurely with ford avoiding responsibility”
Filed Oct 30, 2025
“Car making terrible noise when backing up and turning left. Mechanic said its rear differential and its being recalled. Contacted Ford and my vehichle was manufactured 2 months after the recall issued. And saying they eont fix it. However it is thecexact same issue.”
Filed Aug 25, 2025
“Currently at 30,000 miles. Water pump goes out every 10k miles, rear differential went out, front control arm and strut went out.”
Filed Sep 29, 2024 · 30,000 miles
“The rear axle differential. The rear axle is making a bumping and grinding noise upon acceleration and when turning at low speed as if the axle is going to fail. It happens during right and left turns but right turns are worse. The vehicle was taken in for diagnostics, and there is a TSB for suggested repairs. The parts needed to be ordered.”
Filed Aug 2, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 35 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 127 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 126 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 107 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 66 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 40 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 37 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 35 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 26 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 25 reports