Shudder Gone: Transmission and Torque Converter Replaced at 52xxx Miles

[Thylacine76]

Just got my 2021 Bronco Sport OBX back from the dealership. Entire transmission and torque converter had to be replaced. This is a daily driver, so very surprised that I had these issues. Thankfully everything was covered by warranty, including loaner vehicle.

Explanation on service paperwork:

Concern:

• Customer States SHUDDER FEELING WHEN DRIVING - TECH 127 ROAD TESTED

Cause:

• shuddering while driving and erratic shift delays Replaced transmission due to parts availability

Correction:

• Automatic Transmission Assembly - Remove and Install or Replace
• Extra Time For A Post-Repair Road Test.
• Extra time to mount transmission on a bench fixture
• M time for disassembly and assembly of core for return shuddering while driving and erratic shift delays connected

Tech Notes:
VCM to check for DTCs none found. Reprogrammed solenoid strategy and cleared adaptive tables. Concern still present. Monitored on datalogger. Torque converter is causing shuddering and delayed shifts. Removed transmission. Mounted on bench fixture for teardown. Found torque converter damaged internally, no. 15 bearing dug into transmission case, no.4 bearing burnt, no.1 bearing burnt, output planetary bearings worn out. Direct clutches and forward clutches burnt. Cost cap directec to repair, but due to parts availability, transmission replacement was required. Proceeded to replace transmission, reprogram solenoid strategy and clear adaptive tables post road test to verify repair.

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[Chiefthepup]

Whoa! Shout out to your tech/service department!! These stories usually end with “could not replicate” that’s awesome. How much time passed from appointment to diagnose to receiving your vehicle?

 

[Thylacine76]

It took about 15 days from drop off to pick up. So Far, the vehicle is running nice and smooth. I have not noticed any improvement on mpgs.

4/15/25:
I took my Bronco Sport to the dealership for my appointment. When I got there, I asked my service advisor if there was an available tech to ride with me to show them the shudder I was experiencing. Tech confirmed after road test. I left my vehicle there and dealership put me into an Enterprise rental until they had a Loaner vehicle available. Of course, Enterprise could only put me into a Ford and the only vehicle they had a available was an Expedition. I drive 80 miles roundtrip a day for work. That thing was a beast on fuel and barely fit in the parking garage at work.

4/18/25:
Adviser notifies me to let me they have a loaner available and they are still working on my Bronco Sport. Return Enterprise vehicle and pick up dealership loaner, a Ford Escape. Much better on fuel.

4/25/25:
Received email from advisor that they now have to replace transmission and they are waiting for one to arrive on the following Monday (4/28).

4/29/25:
Received email from advisor that the transmission repair is complete. I asked him to do the Battery Recall at that time.

4/30/25:
Received email from advisor that battery was good and did not have to be replaced and vehicle was ready to be picked up.

 

[Dude]

Received email from advisor that battery was good and did not have to be replaced

Do you know if you have the factory EFB (battery)?

 

[Roxyy]

Awesome that they found the cause! I've had shuddering (when it tries to switch gears) that is getting worse, but of course they could not replicate it. I'm close to hitting 36k miles, so I'm worried that they will finally find an expensive cause once I'm out of warranty. How was yours still covered? Is that under the power train warranty?

 

[thomasm23]

Awesome that they found the cause! I've had shuddering (when it tries to switch gears) that is getting worse, but of course they could not replicate it. I'm close to hitting 36k miles, so I'm worried that they will finally find an expensive cause once I'm out of warranty. How was yours still covered? Is that under the power train warranty?

Read my adventure.

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/torque-converter-shudder-adventure.11649/

 

[Thylacine76]

Awesome that they found the cause! I've had shuddering (when it tries to switch gears) that is getting worse, but of course they could not replicate it. I'm close to hitting 36k miles, so I'm worried that they will finally find an expensive cause once I'm out of warranty. How was yours still covered? Is that under the power train warranty?

When you go to the dealership, ask them to have a tech ride with you. Drive it around the dealership and it's showing the issue that you're having, point it out to the tech that's with you. That way they know you're exact concern. If course, they are gonna say they cant replicate the issue if your not there. You said your vehicle is close to 36k miles, you should still be under warranty.
Yes, mine was covered by the power train warranty and the dealership covered the rental until they were able to give me a loaner. I didn't have to pay out of pocket for anything.

ThomasM23 gave you a link to his own adventure with his vehicle, but he states his vehicle is at 117,000+ miles. I wouldn't suggest going his route, because your vehicle should still be under warranty. Try the dealership again as I suggested above. If can't can't help, try a different dealership in your area.

 

[Roxyy]

Oh my!

 

[Roxyy]

When you go to the dealership, ask them to have a tech ride with you. Drive it around the dealership and it's showing the issue that you're having, point it out to the tech that's with you. That way they know you're exact concern. If course, they are gonna say they cant replicate the issue if your not there. You said your vehicle is close to 36k miles, you should still be under warranty.
Yes, mine was covered by the power train warranty and the dealership covered the rental until they were able to give me a loaner. I didn't have to pay out of pocket for anything.

ThomasM23 gave you a link to his own adventure with his vehicle, but he states his vehicle is at 117,000+ miles. I wouldn't suggest going his route, because your vehicle should still be under warranty. Try the dealership again as I suggested above. If can't can't help, try a different dealership in your area.

I brought it back and sat in the car while the technician drove it. Turns out, I need a new engine. ? I had a coolant leak last month that they couldn't find the source of, and this time they realized that the coolant was leaking into the engine. Let's see how this goes...

 

[jkernitzki]

I brought it back and sat in the car while the technician drove it. Turns out, I need a new engine. ? I had a coolant leak last month that they couldn't find the source of, and this time they realized that the coolant was leaking into the engine. Let's see how this goes...

Hopefully this becomes a win for you long-term.

 

[BravoAlpha]

That’s what I was thinking! Long term might be a good thing

 

[BravoAlpha]

Not a Bronco Sport but my other vehicle

2021 Chevy Silverado 42K miles
short version but kinda similar
started with shimmy, then shudder, then hesitations between 7th & 8th
8 months, 3 dealers, 40 days total without the pickup
Result-new torque converter and transmission.

I love that extended warranty.

 

[Roxyy]

Not a Bronco Sport but my other vehicle

2021 Chevy Silverado 42K miles
short version but kinda similar
started with shimmy, then shudder, then hesitations between 7th & 8th
8 months, 3 dealers, 40 days total without the pickup
Result-new torque converter and transmission.

I love that extended warranty.

Oh man!! Good thing you didn't give up! Crazy how the car was still young and needed such a serious fix. Definitely makes me consider an extended warranty.

 

[Roxyy]

Update: got the new engine, and it didn't fix any of my original concerns. May even be worse now because when it shudders real bad, it now sounds like a bowl on top of a table during an earthquake.

When we originally took the car for the test drive before, they shut me down when I mentioned the transmission and torque converter... I'm going to take it back and push harder to have them checked. Wish I lived near your dealership! You got a winner.

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