Transmission issues after flat towing

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!!

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!!

We are having same issue. Trans blown, Ford wont cover. 24k miles, 2022 Bronco OBX. Flat towed 316 miles.

Blue Bulldog

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.

Same issue here. If you go to court please let us know outcome. I think we have to file in UT (ours is in Cedar City, UT, also wrecked our Zion - Moab vacation.

Ford Motor Company

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.

Gilligan, will you please tell me the outcome with Ford? We are beyond frustrated. We've been a Ford family for over 40 years and agree with another - it's no longer the same company.

This is very concerning! We are in the RV Space on YouTube AND had planned on doing a video to encourage people to consider a Bronco over a Jeep for their RV Lifestyle. After seeing some of these reports -We talked to a dealer and he said to make sure when you hook up to flat tow to record every step that you take so it can be given to Ford if something happens. Obviously this is not a good look nor a good solution. We are going to hold off on that video encouraging our viewers to purchase a Bronco to flat tow until we hear how some of this shakes out. This group of Bronco owners here on Bronco Nation is a powerful source of information and encouragement. Excited to be with such a great community!

SwitchItUp

This is very concerning! We are in the RV Space on YouTube AND had planned on doing a video to encourage people to consider a Bronco over a Jeep for their RV Lifestyle. After seeing some of these reports -We talked to a dealer and he said to make sure when you hook up to flat tow to record every step that you take so it can be given to Ford if something happens. Obviously this is not a good look nor a good solution. We are going to hold off on that video encouraging our viewers to purchase a Bronco to flat tow until we hear how some of this shakes out. This group of Bronco owners here on Bronco Nation is a powerful source of information and encouragement. Excited to be with such a great community!

Hi. Thank you for your reply. For obvious reasons I am not as objective. However there are quite a few people with the same issue. I have read some on the RV blog iRV2.

We asked the service writer what caused the issue and he has only stated that it is our fault because we flat towed. I read something about another owner having a technician access the "black box". I am uncertain what this is and how it differs from the diagnostic scope used to identify codes. I will be discussing this with our local dealership.

We specifically bought the Bronco for its flat tow capability. We no lomger have confidence to flat tow and will be looking into purchasing a flatbed car hauler. We used to tow a Jeep Wrangler Sahara without any issues. Even though we truly enjoy the Bronco, we wish we would have kept the Jeep. After this experience we firmly believe Jeep is the way to go.

Ford Motor Company

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.

I have a 2024 Bronco Wildtrack which I am going to be flat towing in March 2025. I have noticed several threads talking about the Flat Tow Mode disengaging by itself while flat towing. Has Ford found the issue and is it covering the damaged transmission under warranty? Is there a recall? Please advise.

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!!

"Once it actually went forward in reverse." Don't let Ford take this idea and turn it into an anti-theft option, make sure you get your cut. :0) Thought a little humor might help. I know...key word little.

I hope you get it fixed! This is why I trailer.

MIGeezer

"Once it actually went forward in reverse." Don't let Ford take this idea and turn it into an anti-theft option, make sure you get your cut. :0) Thought a little humor might help. I know...key word little.

I hope you get it fixed! This is why I trailer.

This scares the crap out of me, for that the wife drives the Bronco and I pull the TT with the truck instead of getting that class C. But doing some research I found it to be about the same cost to buy a flat trailer and tow the Bronco then getting all the gear to flat tow it, tow bar, mount, and brake set up.

Dang close…. Spent about $5600 to set up a class c to flat tow a JT….

🐎

Chief Ron

Dang close…. Spent about $5600 to set up a class c to flat tow a JT….

🐎

Yep that's what I was finding, but one of these is only $4900
https://sleequipment.com/products/7...cFfxNOZ5NlAx6Mr6PT3POB5b4aYPwB0BoCM4gQAvD_BwE

Jakob1972

This scares the crap out of me, for that the wife drives the Bronco and I pull the TT with the truck instead of getting that class C. But doing some research I found it to be about the same cost to buy a flat trailer and tow the Bronco then getting all the gear to flat tow it, tow bar, mount, and brake set up.

I found the same years back. By time you buy the bars, chains, brakes, etc. it was only a few more bucks to get a trailer. I got an aluminum trailer which works great. The plus is you have the trailer to haul other stuff. The other plus with the trailer is if your truck does break down, of course it would be anything done off road, you can always get it back on the trailer and bring it home. You are not stuck in a town that may not have a dealer, etc. The third plus is you are not putting miles on the tires, turning the trans, it's not getting whacked by all the road grim, etc. My 2¢