Dreaded powertrain malfunction again

rmedina1
May 15, 2024

Rank 0

May 15, 2024

  1. My Bronco is back at the dealership again for the dreaded powertrain malfunction warning light. First time they said the issue was caused by battery issue. 2nd time they said it was a transfer case issue. Now they say it's because I put 275/70R18 tires on? Anyone else have this issue after changing tire size?

UPDATE: Dealer charged me $411.72 to "reconfigure" the AWD Module, they said that because I installed 275/70R18 tires instead of 255/70R18 tires. All I can say is WOW, just increasing the tire size by 1" breaks the vehicle.
raqball

Rank II

May 15, 2024

#1
what year and model is it? i can't see tire size being an issue as it's around 33" so that's bs. lots of us are running 37's and on the 190 fdu with no issue until improper rock crawling technique. m190 fdu is rated for 33" tires max. the 190 fdu is the weak link in your drivetrain. i'm guessing judged on the fact you have 18" wheels and also assuming they're stock. not saying it's the fdu at all just pointing out the weak link in the tire scenario.

i'd say it's electrical. does it go into any limp mode or other quirks or is it just an engine light?
Kenneth, rmedina1
Moderator Staff member

Administrator

May 15, 2024

#2
I've seen people say theirs was the PCM, the battery, clutch module, but not the tires yet. I hope they find the root cause soon for you.
2021 Oxford White 2-door non-Sas Mid package 2.7L/10-speed Badlands with MIC top
2021 Carbonized Gray 2-door Sas High package 2.7L/10-speed Badlands with MIC top
Keeping the Jeeps: stock '89 XJ and 3.5" lifted '00 XJ on 31s and '89 MJ
Kenneth, rmedina1

Rank 0

May 15, 2024

#3
  1. My Bronco is back at the dealership again for the dreaded powertrain malfunction warning light. First time they said the issue was caused by battery issue. 2nd time they said it was a transfer case issue. Now they say it's because I put 275/70R18 tires on? Anyone else have this issue after changing tire size?

2021 OBX 4dr, never even been off road except for the beach last year. I know it's BS I'm fighting with the dealership on this.
Deano Bronc, Kenneth

Rank 0

May 15, 2024

#4
I've seen people say theirs was the PCM, the battery, clutch module, but not the tires yet. I hope they find the root cause soon for you.

Yeah they replaced the module first time, the transfer case the 2nd time, now they say they have to "reprogram" the system for a small tire upsize

Original tire 32.1" 255/70R18

new tire 33.2"
275/70R18
BS
Deano Bronc

Rank 0

May 15, 2024

#5
what year and model is it? i can't see tire size being an issue as it's around 33" so that's bs. lots of us are running 37's and on the 190 fdu with no issue until improper rock crawling technique. m190 fdu is rated for 33" tires max. the 190 fdu is the weak link in your drivetrain. i'm guessing judged on the fact you have 18" wheels and also assuming they're stock. not saying it's the fdu at all just pointing out the weak link in the tire scenario.

i'd say it's electrical. does it go into any limp mode or other quirks or is it just an engine light?

2021 2.3 OBX 4dr mid package. Just the light no limp mode this time. This the 3rd time in three months I have had a powertrain malfunction. No other modifications to the vehicle other than cosmetic.

KCsBronco

May 15, 2024

#6
Yeah, this isn't good - Hope they get you fixed soon..
Sven, rmedina1

Rank V

May 16, 2024

#7
  1. My Bronco is back at the dealership again for the dreaded powertrain malfunction warning light. First time they said the issue was caused by battery issue. 2nd time they said it was a transfer case issue. Now they say it's because I put 275/70R18 tires on? Anyone else have this issue after changing tire size?

Hello! Could you please send us a PM with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer? I'd be happy to see how I can assist you with this powertrain malfunction concern.
Kenneth

Rank 0

May 16, 2024

#8
what year and model is it? i can't see tire size being an issue as it's around 33" so that's bs. lots of us are running 37's and on the 190 fdu with no issue until improper rock crawling technique. m190 fdu is rated for 33" tires max. the 190 fdu is the weak link in your drivetrain. i'm guessing judged on the fact you have 18" wheels and also assuming they're stock. not saying it's the fdu at all just pointing out the weak link in the tire scenario.

i'd say it's electrical. does it go into any limp mode or other quirks or is it just an engine light?

2021 2.3 OBX 4dr mid package. Just the light no limp mode this time. This the 3rd time in three months I have had a powertrain malfunction. No other modifications to the vehicle other than cosmetic.

Rank II

May 26, 2024

#9
Any update?
23 SAS Badlands 2D Area 51

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