Ford Bronco Sport hesitation problems

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 Oct 4, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

On about 5 or 6 occasions over the course of one year, my brand new 2025 Ford Bronco Sport with the Big Bend trim with the VIN number in this report has completely lost engine power with severe engine hesitation with a highly rhythmic / even-patterned computer-controlled-like clicking and severe engine shaking (!!!) and a near stall while traveling from anywhere between 5 and 50 mph and the speed grinds down to a crawl, because it most often happens on an incline (maybe once on flat ground, and never downhill), and either way can be extremely dangerous! Fuel tank was full or half full on every occasion. Oil changed every 5k miles. Luckily at the higher speed, I was on a quiet hilly state highway road. I suspect it can happen at any speed though, which makes it even more dangerous! It is as if fuel stopped getting to the engine in these cases, or a computer failure in the fuel system, but I can be completely wrong about the cause. It is impossible to recreate on command obviously, being that it only happened 5 or 6 times over the course of one year, so neither myself or the dealer can recreate it on command. I complained about it to my local dealer that I bought it from, but they said they saw no codes stored, and of course couldn't recreate it. They suggested I got bad gas, but it has happened this many times. Impossible. It began happening at about 5k miles most noticeably. I currently have 12k or so on it. It's not like a throttle body or any injector or fuel system should be so dirty to cause this at the vehicle's age. No way. This is extremely dangerous. The dealer will not investigate further. Note: When this problem doesn't occur, then engine seems to run well, which leads me to think it is a fuel system / pre-engine problem, if I had to guess. I will include the first most noticeable date. I was driving much more in the first few months of the vehicle, but I let the car break in at speeds below 60 for the first 500 miles or so. I use 87 or higher octane.

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · 124,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, exhaust fumes and a fuel odor entered the cabin, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The engine misfired, and the vehicle hesitated while driving. Upon inspecting under the hood, the contact discovered black soot in the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for diagnosis, where the dealer determined that the piston solenoid, catalytic converter, and driver’s side lower control arm and bushing needed replacement. The contact stated that the PCM was previously replaced. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V340000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Engine · 6,900 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. Upon returning to the residence, the contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V122000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed; however, the failure returned two days after the repair. The failure continued for several weeks, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the dealer failed to duplicate the failure. A technician stated that the failure was likely due to the excessive hot climate in which the vehicle was being driven and that the hesitation was normal vehicle operation. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact informed the manufacturer that he did not feel safe driving the vehicle. The contact was then informed that the vehicle did not qualify under the Lemon Law, and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 6,900.

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Fuel system · 20,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally hesitated while accelerating. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Transmission · NY

I am experiencing severe drivetrain binding and violent shuddering/chatter from the Rear Drive Unit (RDU) during low-speed turns in both directions. The vehicle hesitates and can stop violently on its own while turning. When the vehicle is parked and shut off, it also violently jerks backward, indicating the RDU is binding and storing mechanical tension. This is a significant safety hazard. The symptoms match the current Ford Technical Service Bulletin TSB 26-2328 (Chatter/Shudder During Low Speed Turning Events), which supersedes earlier bulletins including 26-2194 and 25-2351. I first reported the RDU issue along with a rear brake noise at the dealership and provided the relevant TSB numbers. The dealership stated the RDU was fine, performed only the brake TSB, and attributed the shudder to the brakes. After the vehicle was released, the RDU symptoms returned approximately 100 times worse within two days. On the return visit the dealership said they could not reproduce the concern and initially documented it as “just a noise.” I have repeatedly asked Ford (case management and Business Operations) whether the vehicle is considered safe to drive or sell in its current condition. I have not received a clear written answer. The original dealership has also refused to give a direct safety answer. I am requesting that this safety-related RDU condition be properly investigated and repaired.

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Engine · 12,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V122000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · WA

This is a third occurrence related to the federal safety agency complaints 11749893 and 11750183. On July 15, 2026, at approximately 7:30-7:42 AM, while driving to a scheduled Ford service appointment, the vehicle exhibited hesitation and delayed acceleration at multiple intersections, not isolated to one location. Although the vehicle's auto start-stop feature has been manually disabled, the hesitation at each stop felt similar to that feature engaging and re-engaging the engine. The vehicle then stalled completely at an intersection and would not move for approximately 10 minutes. The check engine light illuminated for the first time during this incident. Kent Police Department was contacted, event number 2026-44221. The vehicle was subsequently dropped off at a Ford dealership on July 15, 2026 for diagnosis under warranty.

Filed Jun 8, 2026 · Transmission · LA

My vehicle is currently experiencing drivability issues including: * Wrench warning light with “See Manual” message, * Hesitation during acceleration, * Intermittent reduced engine power, * Prior fuel odor concerns, * Unsafe acceleration response while driving.

Filed May 26, 2026 · Engine · GA

Sometimes the Ford Bronco will hesitate to move from a stop position especially when the auto start and stop has been engaged during periods of driving. Also the vehicle hesitated when trying to change lanes. I had to push gas peddle all the way down in order to get into another lane. Several times the light is green for me to go and there is several seconds of hesitation and then the vehicle would go. The severity of these issues occurred in the months of April and May 2026, but I have taken vehicle into 2 different dealerships and they can't seem to locate problem