Ford Bronco Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Ford Bronco across 9 model years. The 2022 model year has the most (40). The words owners use most often: “manual transmission” (12% of reports).
- 104power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 32%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Manual transmission: mentioned in 12 of 104 complaints (12%)
- Powertrain malfunction: mentioned in 6 of 104 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 21 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 104 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 2 a fire.
Ford Bronco power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Bronco | 2 | 22% | 617 |
| 2025 Bronco | 5 | 9% | 2,200 |
| 2024 Bronco | 6 | 8% | 6,000 |
| 2023 Bronco | 22 | 10% | 16,671 |
| 2022 Bronco | 40 | 10% | 16,500 |
| 2021 Bronco | 9 | 4% | 12,500 |
| 1999 Bronco | 1 | 50% | 105,000 |
| 1996 Bronco | 8 | 10% | 145,000 |
| 1995 Bronco | 11 | 12% | 125,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Bronco vehicles. The transmission to transfer case joint may be misaligned due to an incorrectly performed previous repair, which could lead to wear of the transmission output shaft splines and transfer case input splines.
Risk: Excessive wear of the transmission and transfer case splines may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the transmission to transfer case joint and replace the transmission and transfer case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
Model years: 2024, 2025
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
Risk: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
Power train:automatic transmission:internal:park pawl
Model years: 2023
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Bronco vehicles. The transmission park system may have been damaged during assembly, which can prevent the parking pawl from fully engaging and result in a vehicle rollaway.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S44.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2022, 2023
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."
Risk: The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Twice, while flat towing the 2026 Ford Bronco something happen and allegedly the neutral tow disabled and I had to replace the transmission. $7,500 each time. The first time the Bronco had 900 miles and the second time the unit had 3,000 miles. Both times the warranty claim was denied. Ford blamed…
Transmission failed while towing in Neutral Flat Tow mode and destroyed the entire transmission resulting in a $7,600 repair bill. Ford will not warranty this as they claim is was might fault. Not true, I had flat towed the vehicle for months without an issue and its their electronic system that…
My vehicle has had two misfires and the check engine light came on twice. I brought it to quirk ford in Quincy mass and they said ford has not found a solution for this recall which has been years for this recall. My vehicle putters when I start it and has a skunk aroma when I shut it off
We sometime have loss of drive power while driving or a total failure to engage a gear. Happens sometimes when moving from a stop sign or stop light. Like the transmission is slipping in def case.
Clutch pedal went to floor and didn't return. The accumulator on part # MB3Z-7A512-A failed and broke apart causing a complete loss of brake fluid in the clutch hydraulic system rendering the clutch completely inoperable.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Broncos have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 104 owner complaints about power train for the Ford Bronco. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Bronco power train?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Ford Bronco?
The most frequent phrase is “manual transmission”, in 12 of 104 complaints, followed by “powertrain malfunction” (6).
Other Ford Bronco problems
- Visibility/wiper problems (175)
- Engine problems (156)
- Electrical System problems (152)
See all Ford Bronco problems.