2021 Ford Bronco Sport · symptom sheet
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard
- 38owner reports
- 75,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jun 16, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
178 of the 683 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 38 of those describe transmission shudder.
Tick what matches of 38 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (4 reports) and the torque converter (4 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.
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
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.
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
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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 24,700 and 91,000 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“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.”
Filed Jun 16, 2026 · 24,700 miles
“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”
Filed Jun 14, 2026
“The main symptom is chatter/shudder during low speed turning events. This is due to a faulty rear differential unit. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer. No lamps or other warnings present prior to the failure. The manufacturer has issued multiple TSBs, latest being TSB 25 2351.”
Filed Dec 10, 2025
“On or about 1/16/2025 I started to have issues battery would get display on the display screen it said to turn off ignition or draw Cato conserve battery and on the ford a] it said all or some options would be disabled to save battery and also the vehicle would shudder upon slow acceleration going forward straightforward I took it to the for inspection and they said it was OK. On 11/19 -2025”
Filed Nov 20, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 38 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.
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 126 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 125 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 105 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 65 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 37 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 33 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 25 reports