2021 Ford Bronco Sport steering problems

Filed Oct 3, 2026 · Steering, Transmission · MO

The rear drive unit (RDU) is the suspected culprit for a harsh rubbing sound which occurs during turns at low speed, typically 20mph or less. Safety is a concern because the manufacturer has identified several issues with this year/model and its RDU, and the concern is contaminated lubricants can cause unseen damage leading to the potential loss of motive power or uneven power distribution. I was lucky to have found the problem before it became significantly worse. Ford has acknowledged the issue in at least three service bulletins I was able to find. No warning lamps or messages, but the shudder started around 40-50k miles.

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · CA

On Saturday, September 19, 2026, around 10:30 am, as I was backing out of my garage, wit the speed of 3 to 4 miles, when I back into the street, luckily, there were no other cars on the street, my house is closed to an intersaction and the oncoming cars had a red light on the other side, I lost control of my car and the car spinned around. Fortuntely, I was able to stop the car and get it out of the harm way. When I got out of my car, I notices a lot of metal balls and grease on the street. I then reasearhed on the web and found out this was caused due to a defect caused by ball joint seapration. I then reserched to find if there were any recalls from the manufacture regarding this issue and there was one dated in June of 2026, with a recall number from Ford (26S36) as well as one from the federal safety agency. The defect was that front lower control arm ball joint my not have been fully seated or sealed or secured into the wheel knuckel during factory assembly, which can cause the joint to separate and disconnect the streeling knukle from control arm This morning I contacted Ford, they informed that based on my VIN, my car was not included in that recall. I cannot understand their logic that how they can determine by the VIN that which car may have defective parts installed without visually inspecting the call. My research showed sometime the car manufacturers understimate the recall issues, for their own purposes. I found it unethical and irreaponsible respond from Ford. This could have catastrophic had this happened while I may have been driving on a busy street, and worse yet on a freeway at a higher speed.

Filed Nov 28, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · 56,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message "Faulty Battery and Charging System" flashed on the screen, and the vehicle failed to immediately start. The contact stated that while driving later, several messages, including the messages "Faulty Power Steering" and "Faulty ABS" were displayed, and the vehicle suddenly stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V267000 (Electrical System, Power Train), which the contact related the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 56,000.

Filed Sep 12, 2025 · Brakes, Steering · TX

There is a load moaning sound when backing the vehicle up or making a turn which significantly effects steering and stoping. Ford dealership said that tires were not rubbing body and tie rods were ok. This ford bronco sport only has 25K miles on it and never taken off road. Ford said to live with the sound until it bothered us? They said that it didn't need brakes but a new brake job could possibly fix problem? Independent repair shop said that it wasn't a brake issue but didn't know what the problem was. This load sound must be a defect for this vehicle because others on the web have expressed the same problem but ford has not put out a recall as of this date.

Filed Jun 30, 2025 · Steering, Suspension · 24,900 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while attempting to make a left turn, the front and rear end of the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that neither a dealer nor an independent was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an undisclosed Technical Service Bulletin; however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 24,900.

Filed Jun 22, 2025 · Steering, Transmission · PA

Vehicle chutters especially turn low speed turns and after stopping and making turn. You can feel vibration in the steering wheel and can be jerky turning. I have read of multiple other reports of this happening to vehicles and there is a TSB (24-2185)out for the repair. Ford knows about it and should be liable for the fix.

Filed May 20, 2025 · Steering · 77,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at various speeds over puddles, the vehicle shuddered and made an abnormal sound. The contact stated that while the dealer was servicing the vehicle, the dealer informed the contact that the power steering gear was detaching. The dealer determined that the steering rack and gear and the tie rods needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

Filed May 1, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · NJ

I was driving 70mph on [XXX] in New Jersey when all of a sudden with no prior warning the battery light came on and my vehicle became very hard to control, I felt it shutting down so I immediately pulled to the only shoulder which happened to be on the left. The car shut down and would not start again. A State Trooper said I can not stay on the left shoulder and decided to push my car to the next exit. Since it was an electrical problem my car kept locking up and would not stay in neutral and the steering kept locking as well. I was being pushed on the left shoulder with car speeding past me while my car was locking up which also cause my tires to blow out, I was afraid for my life but the officer continued to push me. This is the second time my vehicle shut down on me leaving me in a dangerous situation, I'm afraid that next time it happens It could cause me to get seriously injured or my life! I had to have it towed to the dealership and I was charged almost $1000 for repairs and 2 weeks later I received a recall letter on this issue for the software. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 18, 2024 · Steering, Suspension · HI

Rear differential- car is shuddering while turning- safety issue

Filed Nov 6, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · HI

My ford bronco stalled when I was slowing down at a traffic light. The entire car shutdown. The steering wheel locked up and the car could not be put into neutral. After about 15 minutes the car was able to turn on again. The stalling out at an intersection put me in danger by putting me in a situation where I was stuck in active traffic without the ability to move my car to a safe area off of the main road. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the car completely shutting off at the traffic light.