Grinding, clicking, steering binding, and increased steering effort.
Ford Bronco grinding brakes problems
26 of the 1,445 owner complaints about the Ford Bronco describe grinding or squealing brakes, most of them for the 2022 model year.
- owner complaints
- 26
- worst model year
- 2022
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
Steering rack component failure, vague steering, play during steering directional change, Light grinding noise when turning steering wheel.
2023 Ford Bronco with 7 speed manual transmission. The transmission started grinding while shifting into 3rd gear and occasionally popping out of 3rd gear. This mostly occurred while upshifting and rarely while downshifting. All other gears are operating as normal. While the grinding problem would pop up occasionally around the 40,000 mile mark, it became chronic at 58,000 mile mark (24Jun2026)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle bounced uncontrollably. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal squeaking sound while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined at first; however, as the failure worsened, and the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V025000 (Suspension). The contact was informed that the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V025000 (Suspension); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle was exhibiting symptoms of the recall. The contact stated that suspension was very soft, and the vehicle was bouncing while driving over a dip in the roadway while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the vehicle was swaying to the right and the left and was making abnormal squeaking sounds in the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
UNKNOWN grinding sound when at idle or in/out of gear ( manual transmission) sounds like transfer case. Other owners of 2021-2023 broncos regardless of trim levels have heard this sound with their broncos as well (manual trans)
The left front driveshaft is a problem. Had a 2022 Ford Bronco and Ford did a RAV Lemon law. Bought a 2024 and now the same problem is happening again. Same issues and 800 miles on a new Bronco. Also on m 2022 had the hard top replaced 5 times and the axle 2 times. And the top now shows cracks with 800 miles as well. Thought Ford would figure it out. Bronco is a great vehicle, just horrible parts. The main thing is the driveshaft I feel be a HUGE safety ISSUE!!! I hope Ford corporate looks here and gets feedback. By the way, happens after 20 or so minutes of driving, gets warm and it sounds like birds chirping and squeaking.
Manual transmission produces rotational grinding noises when ambient temperatures drop below 50F. Vehicle located in Florida, so any visit to Ford dealer to provide warranty service cannot find a problem. Any complaints on difficult shifting are ignored. This problem if left alone will result in catastrophic failure while driving and may lead to accident.
I have a 2023 Ford bronco that has the 2.3 L engine and seven speed manual transmission. It was originally purchased in January 2023. I live in Colorado so it is cold and on cold mornings, since I have received delivery of the vehicle, It has made and continues to make a grinding, scraping sound when the vehicle is in neutral, or the transmission is not engaged. The grinding, scraping sound will occur when driving in first, second, and third gear. If the weather is warm, as over last summer, it does not make the grinding, scraping sound. It has been consistently documented amongst other owners of this particular vehicle, the new sixth generation Ford bronco full-size vehicle with the 2.3 L engine and seven speed manual transmission , that these transmissions make this grinding, scraping sound. I have had it investigated by my local Ford dealership on two separate occasions, and although the tech on site at the dealership states that he can hear the grinding sound and agrees that it is an abnormal sound for a vehicle transmission to make, the Ford motor company has refused to do any type of repair or modification, or replacement of the transmission in my particular vehicle to correct the problem. However, when discussing this problem with other Ford bronco owners, Ford motor company’s response has been very irregular, one friend, in particular, has had his transmission replaced. I am very concerned that as transmissions tend to suffer with wear and tear, that should this transmission fail early due to the grinding, scraping sound, ford motor company will not replace it under warranty, stating that it was my fault or expected wear and tear, that the transmission failed early, when, in reality, it is just as likely that the early failure would be due to this abnormal, grinding, scraping sound.
I have the same complaint that many 2021-2023 Ford Bronco owners have had in regards to the 'scraping/grinding' noise in 1st and 2nd gear. I have seen this on dozens of forums and Ford acknowledged it is an issue. I was told to bring the car in when I was ready for an oil change. This is after being a second day reservation holder and waiting 2.5 years for my car to be built. The dealership told me that the transmission was bad and I needed a new transmission. It will take 10-15 weeks to get a new transmission, and in the meantime all that was offered was a less than ideal rental car (ford edge) and to wait patiently. This is a known issue that the transmissions were faulty, Ford has not been responsive in terms of getting any help/assistance otherwise, and I am not sure if this will even fix the problem. There are hundreds of other owners who have this same issue, and Ford has done nothing.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: electric: control module
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the electronic brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 26, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on December 3, 2025.
Recall number 25V823000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: electric: control module: software
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The EBB module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S77.
Recall number 25V488000 · Recall details
Parking brake: conventional
- What is wrong
- The parking brake control self-adjust pawl does not line up properly with the self-adjust rachet causing the pawl to slip over one or more teeth in the rachet.
- Risk
- When the above occurs, it can result in parking brake system ineffectiveness. The parking brake will not hold the vehicle, causing the vehicle to roll freely, if the transmission is not left in gear.
- Remedy
- A wedge will be installed which will serve to lock the parking brake self-adjust mechanism pawl into engagement with the rachet. Also, owners will be advised to release and reapply the parking brake whenever tooth skip occurs and will be reminded to always turn off the engine and leave the vehicle in gear when the vehicle is parked.
Recall number 94V169001 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Bronco grinding brakes
Which Ford Bronco years have grinding or squealing brakes problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2022 (9 complaints), 2023 (7 complaints) and 2021 (4 complaints).
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