2021 Ford Bronco Sport · symptom sheet

Transmission fails or needs replacement

25owner reports
80,000median miles
$7,000median quote
1involved a crash

Newest report Sep 6, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

178 of the 683 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 25 of those describe transmission failure.

Tick what matches of 25 reports

lost drive or would not move

warning lights came on first

it was replaced under warranty

I paid for it myself

a second transmission also failed

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (25 reports) and the torque converter (3 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.

25V-158Mar 14, 2025

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 and remedy

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.

21V-011Jan 15, 2021

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 and remedy

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 paid

9 of the 25 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $300 to $10,971.

$300$7,000$10,971

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 75,000 and 102,357 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.

123

124

1325

1026

What owners wrote

“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.”
Filed Jun 24, 2026

“My wife's 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has had a complete transmission failure and the vehicle has less than 75,000 miles on it. We're told by Ford that the Powertrain warranty ends after 60,000 miles. This has been a disaster for us as we're paying a note on a vehicle that we cannot drive because it will cost $10-11K to repair. I've never owned a vehicle that has had so many problems in my life.”
Filed Oct 17, 2025 · 75,000 miles

“The Vehicle was serviced as normal, everything came back in good shape. A few days later the transmission began to slip. The vehicle was taken back to the dealership where I was told that the Torque Converter was broken and the vehicle would require a full transmission replacement costing a total of $8K. The vehicle currently has 102,357 Miles on it.”
Filed Sep 23, 2025 · 102,357 miles

“We brought the car to the dealership for oil change and recall fixes. After picking the vehicle up, the transmission failed the next day. The dealership nor Ford customer service have been any help and claim that they didnât do anything that could have impacted the transmission. They are wanting us to pay $13k to replace the transmission”
Filed Sep 4, 2025

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 25 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.