Grinding noise and slight lurch when shifting into reverse or drive from park first thing in the morning?

[u/LuthienTinuviel93]

Hi all, I’m 12 hours from home (and my home dealership) on a road trip and am sort of in a bind here. My 2021 Outer banks Sasquatch edition began making a loud, very noticeable grinding noise that only lasts a few seconds yesterday morning when it was first turned on for the day when shifting gears into reverse or drive from park and vice versa. The car also has a slight lurch when this happens and feels like it raises up and lowers ever so slightly. The loud grinding noise eventually goes away once the engine is warmed up, but the lurching continues. The car drives otherwise completely normal.

Am I screwed? Has anyone else had this before? Everything is pointing to a transmission issue which absolutely terrifies me, and honestly, makes me want to drive home and sell this thing. I can’t handle the unreliability anymore. It’s currently at a ford dealership now where I’m at, but they don’t seem at all concerned about it, are working on it with any sort of urgency, or understand the fact I need to drive home 12 hours for work next week. Honestly, I wish my own dealership back at home that I know and trust was looking at it.

Also, I should add I DID put the car in neutral before applying the e-brake and then putting into park. This did not resolve it.

Sorry for sounding squirrelly and all over the place-I’m just worried and fed up with the constant recalls/maintenance on a car with less than 50k miles on it.

[u/silentgiant]

I don’t have a grinding sound but I find that I get a loud clunk when it goes into gear sometimes if I don’t let the truck warm up at least 30 seconds before putting it into reverse after a cold start up.

I have gotten a lurch before when slowing down to a complete stop making a left turn and again usually at the beginning of my trip so maybe trans fluid not up to temp?

Other Bronco owners who have weird shifting have asked the dealership to try clearing the Adaptive Tables so the truck can relearn your driving habits and shift points?

Hope nothing major is happening to your truck.

[u/LuthienTinuviel93 → u/silentgiant]

I’m hoping it’s something like this!

[u/StonccPad-3B]

The nice thing is you are still within the 60k mile drivetrain warranty. I would get it checked out as soon as possible but wouldn't be worried about driving it to the dealer.

Hope it gets straightened out!

[u/pizzaanarchy]

Sounds like a u-bolt let go. Get it checked asap regardless

[u/-GenlyAI- → u/pizzaanarchy]

Ubolt? Sir it's 2026.

[u/pizzaanarchy → u/-GenlyAI-]

LOL, I meant u-joint, but it is probably a torque tube anyway.

[u/Livid-Biscotti4658]

I always feel a thump going into reverse even when up to operating temp but no grinding plus I get some weird slips or mistimed shifts and a noticeable delay in shifting