2021 Ford Bronco Sport: jerking or lurching

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · OH

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport equipped with an 8F35 automatic transmission. While driving between 25 and 45 MPH under normal acceleration, the vehicle experienced repeated violent hesitation, jerking, and lunging 4 to 5 times in rapid succession, accompanied by rapid RPM fluctuations between 2,000 and 3,000 RPM. The condition mimics an engine misfire or momentary stall and loss of motive power during acceleration, creating an immediate safety hazard and risk of rear-end collision in active traffic. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Ford dealership (Cronin Ford North) on September 30, 2026. The dealership verified and duplicated the complaint on a road test, monitored PIDs, and officially confirmed that the torque converter clutch (TCC) was slipping. Despite confirming mechanical slip, the dealership stated in writing that there were "no relevant articles," overlooking the published Ford Special Service Message SSM 54797 for 8F35 torque converter shudder below 60 MPH. The dealership recommended replacing the torque converter and main control valve body for over $5,200. When the owner declined due to cost, the vehicle was released back into service without answering the owner's written safety inquiry regarding whether the vehicle was safe to operate with verified drivetrain slippage. Additionally, the vehicle has an open safety recall (25S76) for which Ford corporate confirmed no remedy or parts are currently available. The vehicle has not stalled completely, but the severe hesitation and surging persist under normal acceleration. The manufacturer has not provided a resolution.

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

My vehicle is subject to open the federal safety agency recall 25S76 regarding a fuel injector that may crack and cause fuel to accumulate on top of the engine near hot surfaces, creating a fire risk. This recall was identified months ago, but Ford has stated parts are not currently available and no repair date has been given. I have not received any further communication or updated timeline since the recall was issued. In the meantime, my vehicle has also been experiencing intermittent jerking during acceleration between approximately 40-50 mph, which I am concerned may be an early symptom of the injector issue described in this recall. I am continuing to drive the vehicle because no remedy is currently available, but I am concerned about the extended delay in providing parts for a safety recall involving a known fire risk. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review the length of this delay and Ford's plan for remedying affected vehicles

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · LA

The vehicle's entire powertrain and transmission system failed completely. The vehicle will not turn on, will not start, and the electronic rotary gear shifter is physically locked out, refusing to shift into Park or Neutral. The transmission assembly component is currently available for physical inspection upon request. The sudden loss of powertrain and electrical control module communication caused an immediate loss of motive power, stalling the vehicle and leaving it completely stranded and un-drivable. The physical lockout of the shifter mechanism prevents rolling or shifting the asset safely, creating an immediate rollaway or crash hazard if stranded on an active roadway. The car was also jerking vilolently in the middle of an intersection almost causing an accident where we would’ve been rear ended. Yes. The failure was formally diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized dealership, Jim Taylor Ford in [XXX], under Repair Order (RO) #XXX. The component has been physically inspected and diagnosed by the certified technicians at Jim Taylor Ford dealership, who confirmed a total internal failure. They have ordered an entire replacement transmission assembly under Ford Part Number LX6Z-7000-F and Fluid XT-12-QULV. Symptoms and warning signs began showing around XXX, starting with minor shift jerking then eventually turning into violent jerking within a few days. The vehicle suffered from electrical system degradation and complete module power loss, which directly aligns with the known failure symptoms of Ford's active Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and battery safety recalls (such as Campaign 24S24). Ford Corporate was contacted but is refusing to cover this catastrophic mechanical destruction under the safety recall mandate due to the vehicle's mileage (118,365 miles), despite the physical damage being explicitly caused by the unaddressed manufacturer safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 14, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · AL

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 May 1, 2026 · Transmission · IL

I have 130,000 miles on my 2021 Ford Bronco sport. With no warning I'm unable to put vehicle in gear. I attempt to put the car into drive, then reverse and it will not go. The gear gets stuck in park, but unable to park, The car instructs me to intiated emergency park with many warning lights appearing. when driving it jerks , make grinding noises, and I even lost momentum. Ford said the help line states they have attempted to fix the codes and replace the parts on the inside of the transmission and no luck. Ford recommends a new transmission. I believe the 2021 Bronco sport have a faulty transmission and replacing with another will result with the same issue due to the transmission being a close system it isn't preventable. Many other owners have experienced this very same safety issue and Ford should address ot and be responsible.

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

On December 13, 2025, we drove to Flagstaff, Arizona from Tucson, Arizona, where we live. As we came into town, the Bronco began to lurch and seemed to have difficulty shifting. I managed to make it to the Babbitt Ford service center’s parking lot, where it seized and died altogether. It stayed at Babbitt Ford where they worked on it until February 3, 2026. They replaced the transmission at great expense. On Feburary 3, we drove it home to Tucson. The next day, February 4, it died in the road twice, once in a major intersection. The first time it eventually resarted. The second time it died completely and required a special tow truck because we couldn't even get it into neutral to roll. It was towed to Holmes Tuttle Ford where they kept it for a week but were able to eventually restart it. They had it for 5 days, ran a diagnostic and reset the system. They drove it for over 80 miles and couldn’t recreate the problem. Then on February 25, I drove to Phoenix. While in Phoenix, it again inextricably had trouble shifting, died and wouldn’t start. I then had it towed to Camelback Ford. On March 6, Camelback Ford called and said they ran numerous tests and still can’t pinpoint the problem and the vehicle still won’t start or shift into neutral.

Filed Jan 21, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · 85,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle started jerking abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the failure was due to the torque converter. The contact was informed that the transmission fluid needed to be flushed and refilled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered to cover 60 percent of the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 91,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a loud scraping sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle jerked abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the failure was associated with the torque converter. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,000.

Filed Oct 22, 2025 · Transmission · MI

The car would "skip" while driving. If paused at a light/stop sign, I would hit the gas and the RPMs would increase, but the car would not drive, then it would jerk and go. When driving, my foot would be at a consistent pressure on the gas, but the car would slow down as if I lifted by foot. Then the car would jerk and increase in speed again. There were no warning lights or messages at any of those moments. Due to concerning safety, I was driving to the shop to have it evaluated when I broke down at a stop light. 5 minutes before breaking down, the first light came on with a message in the Ford app stating "powertrain malfunction". When at a light, the automatic break kicked on and would not let me drive. When evaluated at the local dealership they said "there are multiple DTCs for internal transmission issues: DTC P0751/P2700 for a clutch mechanical fault, and P07E4 indicating the vehicle is unable to engage park. The A clutch is dragging, causing it to intermittently creep forward in neutral. The transmission will need to be replaced to correct the issue." The cost to replace it is $10,000+.

Filed Oct 15, 2025 · Transmission · DE

At 70K automatic transmission stated to cause jerking motions while in lower speeds when starting to drive from lower speeds. Took car to dealership and i need a new transmission. I have read on Bronco Forum from other Bronco Sport BADLANDS edition, that their transmission has failed too at various mileage, ranging from 30K-66K. Of course this is dangerous if there is a complete failure of transmission. FORD's warranty on power train ends at 36K. The cost is $8700 to replace. transmissions don't die at 70K. according to car experts, transmissions should last 120K-200K. I can't believe there is a recall for some Bronco Sports and not ALL Bronco Sports.

Filed Jul 2, 2025 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured and leaking CV boot. The contact was informed that the CV boot needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer several times due to the persistent failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall or special programs. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

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.