Ford claims flat towing our 4 mo. old Bronco destroyed the transmission (not covering under warranty)

[aknavy]

I had the same thing happen as you. When stopped at campground on 3rd stop it would not disengage neutral tow. I went over it with my dealer and went through all the same troubleshooting steps you did. After no positive result they said tow it back home. When we got back and dropped it off at my home dealership they found out it was the transfer case motor that went bad and would not disengage the neutral tow. They changed the motor out in less than 1 hour and it worked as advertised with no further problems. I am just curious, we’re you given the opportunity to be able to visualize the damage to the transmission and transfer case?

No, I didn't get to inspect anything. I was just happy to get out of the dealership with no bill, so I hightailed it out after ensuring it all worked.

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[G6Bronco]

Does yours have the Advanced 4wd system? And did Ford warranty it?

Not sure its a sas badlands lux pkg. Ford was happy to let me eat all $6,300.00

 

[Fordified1]

Not sure its a sas badlands lux pkg. Ford was happy to let me eat all $6,300.00

Yes all Sas have the 4wd-A

 

[Big Swede]

I don’t have 4A. So does that mean it should be okay? Always worry and keep a close eye on it. Did get stuck in flat tow mode a couple times. Just kept messing with it until it reengaged. Just about the time I started to panic it worked. System seems to finicky. Should be simple, engaged or not engaged.

 

[Fordified1]

I don’t have 4A. So does that mean it should be okay? Always worry and keep a close eye on it. Did get stuck in flat tow mode a couple times. Just kept messing with it until it reengaged. Just about the time I started to panic it worked. System seems to finicky. Should be simple, engaged or not engaged.

I’m hoping so. Stuck in flat tow is way better than coming out of flat tow on it’s own while being towed. So far all the failures I know about have been related to the 4A equipped systems.

 

[dgorsett]

I don’t have 4A. So does that mean it should be okay? Always worry and keep a close eye on it. Did get stuck in flat tow mode a couple times. Just kept messing with it until it reengaged. Just about the time I started to panic it worked. System seems to finicky. Should be simple, engaged or not engaged.

Mine was a bit reluctant to come out a couple times on our last trip. It may be time to take it in for a look. @flip mentioned a service bulletin about this.

It seemed we might have been closing in on the possibility all issues have been with the Advanced 4x4, but don't have verification.

 

[Fordified1]

I’m getting close to flat-towing ours for the first time. Bumper installed, Blue Ox adapters set up. Fingers crossed.

 

[Big Swede]

They didn’t follow directions to flat tow. And to all those that say the gearboxes aren’t lubricated in flat tow are dead wrong. It’s only the auto transmission that will get ruined if not put in flat tow mode. Transfer case and differentials are always lubricated the gears lay in the oil there is no pumps only in the auto transmission.

I will say, there have been several times I put it in Park before I got out of the Bronco. Out of habit. I’ve caught myself each time and redone the whole process. So I could see some making this mistake. That being said, as stated above, I’ve had issues getting it out of flat tow mode, so system is finicky and there are definitely failures in the system. I wish it was more of a manual system.

 

[dgorsett]

I thought we were closing in on verifying most, if not all, issues were with the 4A system, but the thread died. I noticed in another unrelated thread that the 4A system disengages a clutch system for Neutral Tow in the 4A system rather than actually shifting gears like a part time system, maybe this is it.


NEUTRAL OPERATION

For recreational towing (all 4 wheels on the ground) the transfer case should be placed in Neutral.
Refer to: Neutral Flat Tow Activation and Deactivation (307-07B Four-Wheel Drive Systems - Advanced 4x4 with 4A Mode, General Procedures).

* The IPC sends a Neutral mode status to the AWD module via the GWM .
* The shift motor positions the ball ramp device to completely apply the clutch.
* The shift motor positions the reduction sleeve to only engage the output shaft
* “Neutral Tow Enabled” is displayed in the message center.

 

[Fordified1]

I thought we were closing in on verifying most, if not all, issues were with the 4A system, but the thread died. I noticed in another unrelated thread that the 4A system disengages a clutch system for Neutral Tow in the 4A system rather than actually shifting gears like a part time system, maybe this is it.


NEUTRAL OPERATION

For recreational towing (all 4 wheels on the ground) the transfer case should be placed in Neutral.
Refer to: Neutral Flat Tow Activation and Deactivation (307-07B Four-Wheel Drive Systems - Advanced 4x4 with 4A Mode, General Procedures).

* The IPC sends a Neutral mode status to the AWD module via the GWM .
* The shift motor positions the ball ramp device to completely apply the clutch.
* The shift motor positions the reduction sleeve to only engage the output shaft
* “Neutral Tow Enabled” is displayed in the message center.

I would say you’re on to something. Just reinforces my choice of ordering a Bronco without the Advanced system. I will still sweat the procedure, but feel better about it. Haven’t flat towed the Bronco yet.

 

[dgorsett]

I would say you’re on to something. Just reinforces my choice of ordering a Bronco without the Advanced system. I will still sweat the procedure, but feel better about it. Haven’t flat towed the Bronco yet.

We have towed many times many miles all good for us.

 

[jdonlin]

No, it doesn't. I have my own thread on this, and so many people on here are certain there was a mistake made by the owners...I did the procedure absolutely correct, had the wife verify tires were rolling at each and every stop. Arrived and the stupid thing was stuck in neutral tow.

Dealer took nearly a month to fix it, had to replace transmission, transfer case, and the transfer case motor. Could not tell me why it self destructed, nor could pull any computer data to prove/disprove it being put in neutral tow. I thank God that it was stuck in neutral tow. I lost my ass trading it in after that, but I'm back in a Jeep and again have zero issues flat towing. You're rolling the dice every time you flat tow an automatic Bronco.

I have recently had significant damage to my 2022 Ford Ranger using Neutral Tow. I am confident that it was in Neutral Tow on our 550 mile drive. Ford is backing away from this. I am new to any of the ford forums so I don't know how to engage this community. I am not a lawyer but do have one engaged. from the many posts related to Ford products and Neutral tow there may be room for a Class Action law suite. Can you help me find others who have had this problem on any ford products.
Regards
John Donlin

 

[Owl]

You know... with all the complexity and all the complaints... I would never consider flat-towing my auto bronco. I'd go to CL and buy one of the many trailers and just get all 4 wheels off the ground. You can find a decent used one for < 4K.

Or... find an old Jeep with a standard transmission and (of course) its very positive manual shifting in/out of 4-wheel drive and go that route.

I mean think about it... how many miles flat-towing a Bronco do you think Ford did in testing before putting it into production? How many different iterations and rough roads do you think they went over to test it? I'd guess not that many.

And finally... what "proof" can you present when the whole mess breaks to show Ford that it wasn't your fault?

As stated... get a Jeep for towing or a trailer. Don't leave your fate up to the whims of Ford.

My 2 cents!

 

[Valhalla]

Remove driveshafts?

 

[G6Bronco]

got SCREWD by ford on this very issue as well. Sold a perfectly good Rubicon to buy a bronco that flat towed flawless for over 2,000 miles and then blew up? yea right. Ford has a HUGE issue hear and is totally ignoring it. No more broncos for me. Ford couldn't care less. cost me $6,200.00 out of pocket. Thanks Henry...........

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