Transmission issues after flat towing

Blue Bulldog

Apr 11, 2023

I towed my 21 Badlands with 2.7 auto from Vancouver island to Moab. No issues, wheeled it for 3 weeks. Then today towed it from Moab to Hurricane. When I took it out of tow mode, it wouldn't reverse. Tried all the fixes like putting it back in tow and taking it out. Disconnecting the battery etc.
It is chugging in drive, won't reverse. Once it actually went forward in reverse.
So now have to contact local dealer in St George. Looks like my vacation is ruined. Thanks Ford!!

Sven, the poacher

Last edited by a moderator: Apr 11, 2023

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Apr 11, 2023

That's so disappointing with a new vehicle. Keep up posted; I hope diagnosis, replacement, and warranty process are all fast and simple.

~~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

the poacher, LR48

Apr 11, 2023

Laura
That's so disappointing with a new vehicle. Keep up posted; I hope diagnosis, replacement, and warranty process are all fast and simple.

Laura
It's at the dealership now. No rental cars available so had to rent a jeep.

the poacher, Laura

Apr 12, 2023

Was told the transmission needs to be replaced. They said they aren't pointing fingers, but they think it wasn't put into tow mode properly.
Well I take issue with that. Been towing it without issues for the last couple of months.
They did say they have had a few of them.
So Ford needs to either make it so it's very clear it's in tow mode or fix the issue of destroying the transmission when it is in fact in tow mode.
Apparently it will take at least a week to get another transmission, then a few days for installation.
So my vacation is ruined, picking it up tomorrow and heading back home to Vancouver island. I'm currently in Hurricane Utah.

Chief Ron, Laura

Apr 18, 2023

So ford said because it's throwing 2 particular codes it wasn't in tow mode and burnt out the transmission. So they say it's not warranty applicable. Cost to fix is $7000. I guess I have a fight on my hands.

Chief Ron, MWNew

Apr 18, 2023

Blue Bulldog
So ford said because it's throwing 2 particular codes it wasn't in tow mode and burnt out the transmission. So they say it's not warranty applicable. Cost to fix is $7000. I guess I have a fight on my hands.

Good luck....sorry to hear the BS......

21 Badlands, 2 dr, four banger, slushbox, SAS. PERFECT!

MWNew

Apr 21, 2023

Hi Everyone,

Just an FYI.
If you flat tow your Bronco and have any transmission issues Ford will not fix it under warranty.
They say it's customers fault.
I have been having issues getting it out of tow mode. I believe there is something electronically that is either not physically putting it in tow mode, and it's saying it is in tow mode. Or it's coming out of tow mode once put in tow mode.
I would recommend that nobody flat tow the Bronco until Ford figures out what is going on.

I have towed it without issues and my setup process is to put it in tow mode. Then install the brake system. Which takes 5 to ten minutes, all the while I'm looking at the screen on the Bronco to make sure it says Vehicle in tow mode, leave in neutral.

Be warned.

Craig

Laura, the poacher

Apr 21, 2023

That sucks big time.

Apr 21, 2023

What's the fix, electronic, or mechanical (transmission)?

2022 Jeep JLR, manual with even more extra guacamole
Sold - 2021 Jeep JLR, manual w/extra guacamole

Apr 24, 2023

Anyone else experienced blown transmission after flat towing?
Please let us know. As Ford will not warrant it.

the poacher

Jun 09, 2023

#10

Update on blown transmission.
Ford will not warrant it. Although my Bronco does not have the code that states it wasn't in tow mode.
Another person in Oregon got theirs warranted after their dealer got a Ford engineer to access the (black box) theirs did not have the code either. Apparently Ford is aware of the issue and has a team of engineers working on it. Im out of pocket $7200 on a 21 Bronco with less than 15000 km.
I guess small claims court is next.

TxHazmat, Deano Bronc

Sep 10, 2023

#11

Blue Bulldog
Hi Everyone,

Just an FYI.
If you flat tow your Bronco and have any transmission issues Ford will not fix it under warranty.
They say it's customers fault.
I have been having issues getting it out of tow mode. I believe there is something electronically that is either not physically putting it in tow mode, and it's saying it is in tow mode. Or it's coming out of tow mode once put in tow mode.
I would recommend that nobody flat tow the Bronco until Ford figures out what is going on.

I have towed it without issues and my setup process is to put it in tow mode. Then install the brake system. Which takes 5 to ten minutes, all the while I'm looking at the screen on the Bronco to make sure it says Vehicle in tow mode, leave in neutral.

Be warned.

Craig

I flat towed our Bronco for 3.5 hours each way without an issue with the Bronco. Recently I had a charge wire installed with new electrical harness from MH to Bronco
and noticed that when I was done towing that the Bronco would not Start and then shift back into Drive UNLESS I disconnected the electrical harness from the Bronco first. Then no problem, back to drive. Fyi: used to tow a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk and had the same issues from time to time with that toad.

Sep 11, 2023

#12

Blue Bulldog
I towed my 21 Badlands with 2.7 auto from Vancouver island to Moab. No issues, wheeled it for 3 weeks. Then today towed it from Moab to Hurricane. When I took it out of tow mode, it wouldn't reverse. Tried all the fixes like putting it back in tow and taking it out. Disconnecting the battery etc.
It is chugging in drive, won't reverse. Once it actually went forward in reverse.
So now have to contact local dealer in St George. Looks like my vacation is ruined. Thanks Ford!!

On the bright side, going forward in reverse would be a good theft deterrent.

Chief Ron

Sep 11, 2023

#13

I will be watching this post due to my flat towing my 2022 Badlands as well.
So far no problems but me posting may of jinked me.
I have about 4000 miles of flat tow on the Bronco.

Dave

MWNew, Chief Ron

Nov 12, 2023

#14

Yes

Deano Bronc, Laura

Nov 12, 2023

#15

That has to suck…. Hope everything goes in your favor. Let us know what is discovered and hopefully good news!

🐎

2023 Wildtrak, sas, mid, soft top. Not crazy offroader…. Just a normal trail junkie

Laura

Nov 13, 2023

#16

Please update us as the process goes and good luck.

MWNew

Nov 13, 2023

#17

Do share how this goes and best of luck w getting it resolved.
Sheehy Ford is a BIG dealership in the DMV too... Hope they make it right by you...

Nov 13, 2023

#18

Gilligan
Same thing happened to me here in Virginia. I have flat towed my 2022 Outer Banks for a year now and over 9,000 miles with no problems. Today, after a 180 mile trip to Virginia, I stopped to refuel and smelled burnt oil. Didn't think it was from me. Drove about 4 miles to my destination, and found my Bronco was trashed. Wouldn't go in to park, wouldn't start, all kind of warnings. Well what do I do now? I did everything right like I have done at least 38 times before. Will Ford back it or not? I guess I will found out Monday, November 13, 2023. I'm going to call Sheehy Ford in Ashland.🤞

Hi there, Gilligan. These transmission concerns after flat towing doesn’t sound like something we want you to experience with your Bronco. Could you please send us a PM with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer? To send a private message, just click/hover on our username and select "Message". I'd be happy to look into how I can assist you on my end.

Mantruck, Cornwelltoolman

Jan 26, 2024

#19

Blue Bulldog
I towed my 21 Badlands with 2.7 auto from Vancouver island to Moab. No issues, wheeled it for 3 weeks. Then today towed it from Moab to Hurricane. When I took it out of tow mode, it wouldn't reverse. Tried all the fixes like putting it back in tow and taking it out. Disconnecting the battery etc.
It is chugging in drive, won't reverse. Once it actually went forward in reverse.
So now have to contact local dealer in St George. Looks like my vacation is ruined. Thanks Ford!!

I assume your Bronco has the 4WD-A (advanced) option?
There are about 12 transmission failures associated with flat tow mentioned on the 6G forum. Some members on there have narrowed it down to only the Advanced transfer case associated with the trans failures. To me that's a smoking gun. If it was a only a user issue there would be regular 4wd system flat tow trans failures also. Ford just a couple days ago came out with a new software update for the Advanced 4wd because some are not shifting back into gear after flat towing, but claims it has nothing to do with transmission failures. So Ford is still denying claims. Obvious to me, if there's a glitch causing the t-case to not engage again, that same glitch could cause it to not find neutral for flat tow. There's even one video of the indicators showing neutral flat to engaged and transmission in neutral, and parking brake off, and when they pull forward with the motorhome attached it's dragging the rear wheels of the bronco. They were denied warranty also.

As a lifetime Ford owner and enthusiast, This is not the same Ford Motor Company I grew up with. It sucks what they have become. I have a 2024 Black Diamond ordered (is being shipped right now) and fully intended to flat tow it. That is how we currently bring our '22 Jeep Gladiator (I bought it to use while waiting for my Bronco order), and other previous towed units we had. I hope Ford steps up to the plate on this eventually because they are loosing long time faithful customers.

'69 Mach1, '02 Excursion 4wd, '15 Mustang convertible Ecoboost, '22 Jeep Gladiator.
2024 Bronco Black Diamond on order.

MWNew, RobWTx

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