One of the more intriguing options present in the sixth-generation Ford Bronco when it launched for the 2021 model year is its proper seven-speed manual transmission – or rather, what is essentially a six-speed row-your-own gearbox with a crawler gear that’s perfect for off-roading. This is particularly notable because the manual transmission is largely going the way of the dinosaur these days, with few buyers opting for it and modern automatics proving to be a superior choice in many regards. However, the Ford Bronco seven-speed manual has thus far been a popular choice among consumers, though it seems as if some are having issues with that particular gearbox.
Some Ford Authority readers have reached out to say that they’ve experienced issues with the Bronco’s seven-speed manual, which sometimes exhibits a grinding noise when those owners are in the process of shifting gears. Sometimes, this happens when the vehicle is cold, and other times, when the vehicle is idling as well. Regardless, this doesn’t seem to be causing any other issues, at least as of now.
This isn’ the first time a problem with the fairly new sixth-gen Bronco has popped up, as a select few models equipped with the twin-turbocharged Ford 2.7L EcoBoost V6 made news recently for reportedly suffering total engine failure in some cases. As Ford Authority reported last June, those problems were caused by cheaper, sub-optimal valves that were acquired from a new supplier that didn’t properly validate those components, as well as a less than optimal oil pan design. Shortly thereafter, three affected owners filed petitions with the NHTSA, while 12 others lodged complaints related to that matter, after which the agency opened a formal investigation into the matter.
Now, manual transmission grinding appears to be another issue facing certain Bronco owners, so we’re curious to know – how many of our readers are experiencing this particular problem? If you own a manual Bronco, be sure and vote in the poll below to let us know if you have or haven’t heard any grinding noises coming from your transmission!
We’ll have much more on the Bronco very soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Bronco news and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
Mine makes the noise.
https://youtu.be/JCRx5S3Vf_o
Mine makes the noise. Sounds terrible! 🙁
I’m on my second transmission with the same noise. Ford issued a TSB to replace the syncros
Dropping it off next week for the 5th/6th syncro ring TSB
wish they would stop going with the lowest-bid manufacturers for raw goods and purchased parts. At least for critical components like engines/transmissions/drivetrains etc. who cares if something was designed by the smartest engineers in the world if you are still going to be using inferior materials and the cheapest manufacturing plants to assemble them.
Well-stated.
Chrysler learned a bitter lesson with the first of their computer controlled 4-speed automatic. It was an INCREDIBLE design, as stout as you could demand and then some.
They cheaped out on the quality of a speed sensor that caused TONS of complete swaps because no one really knew how this thing worked. Combine that with the first year or so having “circlips” that fractured , grenading the whole thing.
A rebuild with a good quality clip and speed sensor ($35) made it a 500,000 mile box.
Is this the Ultradrive that came out in ‘89? My mom had a Dynasty with it, though she didn’t keep it long enough to have any problems. Whatever the internal flaws, that transmission really put a hurting on the reliability of Chrysler vehicles being that it was used across their lineup.
Mine sounds like a cement mixer with bad bearings. The neighbor complains it wakes him up in the morning. It’s at Ford for the TSB fix now. Will see if it works.
Say it with me…never buy the first model year of a car…heck…the longer you can wait the better. Best to buy a car at the end of it’s generation with all the issues ironed out. That’s why I am looking for a 2009 Mustang.
That’s why you never buy the first generation of vehicles, the second or third generation of vehicles usually when they work out most of the bugs.
I heard the shifts sound like “shouldaaaaa, boughtaaaaa, jeeeeeep.”
I’m in the interior of Alaska where it’s commonly -10F in the winter with some stints of -45F my transmission makes a slight whirring noise when it’s cold and in neutral. I do a lot of double clutching when down shifting to try to preserve the synchros when driving. When upshifting it’s usually around 3,000-4,000rpm and I let load come off the transmission before I shift.
Other than the whirring on very cold days which I can only assume is the oil being too thick to properly lube anything is my culprit. My noise though is barely noticeable and with the radio on it’s as if it’s not there at all.
Can’t say I’ve heard any sounds like these comments. I slipped one time and grinded the clutch for a split second but that was totally user error. I have a 21′ manual and haven’t had a single mechanical error (crossing fingers now though).
Yep, took it in and they ordered every part for the TSB. Ford states it’s in the synchronizers for 5/6 but I’m not so sure. I guess they’ll find out.
maybe the poll is closed as I could not submit. Yes My truck with 158 miles has started making the noise
2022 Black Diamond 2Dr – Makes noise. Service appointment Jan 19/23 then will update
2022 Black Diamond 2dr, 10K miles no noise
Brought my 2022 Base with 5000 miles to a dealer with shifting problem, Ford replaced the transmission in December 2022. Two days later heard the noise. Ford is replacing clutch next week. Don’t know if it is going to help, dealer is not sure if the new clutch is going to solve the noise issue.
Scott, did the replacement of 5th and 6th syncro rings help?
My transmission has made noise from day one. It has been at the dealer for 10 weeks. They replaced the trans with the same one and the noise is still there. When I refused to take it they came up with a TSB for synchro 5/6. I am not happy with a patched trans and looking at the lemon law due to catastrophic component failure.
I checked mine for the noise the day I bought it…sounded perfect. The very next morning I could hear the rumbling noise. It happens on startup for me and has gotten continuously louder. I only have 300 miles on it.
2022 Badlands 4 door… MA owner.
Picked up from dealer April 2022 And wife was pissed… I slept on the couch for the 1st time in 15yrs.
Today is 3/1/23, The bronco only has 8,000 miles on it…. It is on its 4TH (Fourth) full transmission swap!!! And…. Is in need of a 5th!!!
Absolutely no off roading, no aftermarket lift or tires (unfortunately not ever now).
The Grinding noise always shows up between 1k & 1.5k miles. I have been told that it is the throwout bearing…. ?
Dealing with Ford Corporate & Atty now. Ford WILL NOT OFFER A REPLACEMENT!!!!!.
Ford Offered me :
A) Keep it and they will give me $6k depreciated value.
OR
B) Return it and get my money back and pay $0.50/mile.
Allen at least they offered money for your trouble
My 2022 has made noise since about 200 miles. Initially it was most noticeable in cold weather at low rpm. The throw out bearing was also roaring. Allegedly the engineers told my local service department the noise was normal and the gearbox tolerances, while still in spec, were likely the cause. Nothing was done. Now I’m nearing 4,000 miles, and the noise is worse and is not cold-weather dependent. Allegedly, still no service bulletins. I asked “Should I just drive it until it looks up.” I guess that is what I’ll do.
They did the TSB and the noise is still there. So unhappy with ford right now.
We all need to stay on top of this issue and make Ford fix our iconic vehicles. Obviously the TSB IS NOT THE FIX even in other posts saying the same thing. People buy the manual for durability and less maintenance. This is not the case with this Chinese trans. Ford needs to step up. My two cents
Have had my 2023 Basesquatch a month and they are replacing Trans. 1k in and all sorts of metal in Trans fluid – not a good start Ford!
Update. My Basesquatch gas been at dealer since 2/27/23 and no answer when new transmission will be in? I have a source who works at plant and they say I’ll be waiting a long time as they have stopped Shipping of all MT Bronco’s because all MT’s they are receiving are garbage! This is not good news for MT Bronco owners. I’m sure many others like me waited well over a year for there Bronco and took delivery of a units that should have never left plant! I hope they get there act together and resolve this issue.
Just took my ’22 Base (4 months since I took delivery) into dealer for the grinding noise. Sure enough they want me to schedule a time when I can leave it with them for “3-4 weeks” for a total transmission rebuild. Or at least that’s what they told me. They mentioned the TSB so I wonder if it will only replace the parts noted in the TSB. Have a feeling I/we in for a long battle with this. Great!
My 2022 2 door MT makes the noise. Seems to be louder 1st and 2nd gear low RPM. Also rattles when cold
I have also heard the grinding noise. First heard it in Santa Fe, NM where the temperature dropped to a chilly 25F overnight. Started the Bronco after it was resting for probably 15 hours or so after a drive from Utah. The odometer read about 8700 miles at the time.
I made a video recording and shared that with the dealer during an oil change visit. They looked and found the TSB related but need me to come back and leave the Bronco overnight on a somewhat colder night so they can confirm they hear the noise themselves (a bit annoying, frankly).
I have a 22′ Black Diamond MT. At 4k miles took it in for the grinding and clunk from 1-2nd they tried the TSB replacement rings, after 3 month wait for the parts. Fix failed. They installed a new transmission May 23′ no grinding, but there’s a buckling/Popcorn popping sound that happens when you push clutch in after putting some torque on transmission with normal shifting. If you stress the trans and pop the clutch and repress it, the buckling is so dramatic it sounds like the trans is partially attached. Ford offering to repurchase or i keep it with an 5/75k extended warantee and a small $ for my trouble. Dealer taking one more look at it to see if they can solve today
Has anyone with a MT not had an issue? Has anyone with a MT who HAS had an issue had it fixed to your satisfaction and if so, what did they do?
My wife’s 2022 bronco base has the noise in cold weather. Taking it in to get fixed dealer says they need to hear the noise 1st. Car guy all my life and it sounds like gravel in the tranny. Getting run around from dealer so I am going to reach out to Ford directly.