Are any of these sounds "normal", 2021 BS Badlands?

MichiRyGuy
Feb 17, 2025

BS Badlands

Feb 17, 2025

Hello first post, I bought this Sport used with 29000 miles on it a little over a year ago and I absolutely love it! The only thing which leads me "concerned" is some of the sounds it makes. I work in automotive manufacturing for a very well known supplier of OEM components, most of my day involves testing units before shipping to ensure they function as intended and don't make unexpected noises. Maybe it is this sensitivity I am required to have, which make these noises seem louder than the "average" consumer would listen for. I just know that in my 12+ years of working in automotive manufacturing that I would not put my stamp which ties my quality on a part which makes some of the sounds I am hearing, unless I am told that the noise has been deemed "acceptable". Maybe I also have a higher awareness because the first major noise I heard and reported, was told was normal. It sounded like a fuel pump priming when I unlocked and opened my driver side door, except it was very loud, enough so that my dad kept asking me what it was. Three months later the noise was still continuing and I was left stranded when my fuel pump faulted out while driving and the car just died and threw a "Powertrain Fault"...It wouldn't start up initially, but once it sat for almost two hours and it fired up, but I still had it towed because the driver Ford sent came from Indiana almost two hours away and the dealer ended up finding a fuel pressure code...

The dealer I bought it from has been AMAZING and even though after testing the pump and it showed everything was ok, they replaced it just to be safe and gave me a loaner for the two weeks they tried endlessly to recreate it. After it was replaced, the noise is completely gone...coincidence? I have not yet reported this to my dealer, just trying to figure out it any of these warrant reporting. I also had to get videos of the issues.

I guess all I am looking for is a "Yeah that is normal, it is the (insert reason here) that makes that noise"

So now here is what you originally clicked for. The 4 attached videos, are videos of the 3 sounds and one is a bonus "Quality Control" of my driver side window control panel clearly not fully mounted. I only found it when someone accidentally hit the window down and they got out and I had to put the window up. I do intend to have that taken care of at my next oil change or at least reported.

This clip is a sound that occurs anytime I am in "Park" and I press the brake, it makes a short click. I am assuming it is some sort of safety disengaging to allow me select the gears. It is a really quick "click", but is about as loud as the video makes it. Seems to be coming from my middle console area. Maybe it is just amplified due to the plastic of the center console. Click when in Park

This sound is made, only when the engine is cold and the brake is pressed. It is a series of really quick clicks that last for maybe 2-3 seconds sounds very electric in nature. In this clip if you listen you can actually hear the "Park" click as well. Bonus! The quick clicks do eventually go away once the vehicle has reached running temp. Cold car brake pressed

The final sound clip is the one sound that really gets me. This happens every time, regardless of the temperature of the engine, the speed, etc. It occurs every time I come to a complete stop, it is most likely the transmission dropping into neutral or first to prepare for take off. It is just really odd to me that this noise is occurring on a newish vehicle and sounds very similar to the sound made when the brake gets pressed when cold. It occurs around the 4-5 second mark in its video around the time I get to 4 mph. Coming to a stop

Just for fun, here is the Quality Control Quality Control

All my fluids are topped up and the levels are good. All recalls aside from the newer 12V Battery (25S02/25V019) one have been done as well, even though I have already replaced my OEM battery... I love this Bronco and owning some form of a Bronco has always been my dream. The interior of my car is filthy, but I assure I do take proper care of my car, lol. I live in Michigan and the salt on the roads in my area has been insane this year. I had a Honda Civic I kept running like a top for 10 years, before I found this deal on the Bronco Badlands that was too good to pass up. So far it has left me stranded twice in the little over a year I have owned it, once I was too far away from my dealer for Ford Roadside to tow it to them so I had to have it towed to a more local dealer. Once was the fuel pump issue and the other was a dead battery, so dead it wouldn't even jump. I really want to take it on the road less traveled, but until these sounds are deemed "ok" I just don't feel comfortable going somewhere I might not be able to get roadside assistance or even a cell signal. Sorry for the long post.
Agent084, Jakob1972

FreeIndeed

Feb 18, 2025

#1
I’m really sorry to hear that you’re running into all these issues, that really stinks.

I have a ‘22 Badlands that I’ve also had for a year, and haven’t experienced any problems or heard any noises like these. I tend to be pretty conscious of odd noises and weird feelings of my cars, so I understand where you’re coming from. At most, I’ve noticed a couple loose areas internally on the doors that cause some rattling when my radio is turned up.

When I was getting a Bronco Sport, I did a lot of research and found that the 2021’s seemed to have quite a handful of issues that got hammered out over the following year(s) of production. I don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, but that could be the case for all these random noises and some mechanical issues you are experiencing. Some of them may turn into problems down the line, or some just may be noises that are on the first year’s worth of Bronco Sports (or just random, as you mentioned, it could be a general quality control issue).

I wouldn’t want this to scare you on going on adventures, but personally I would take it as a cautionary flag to have a friend or some backup emergency means to get help when you’re going a little more “off-grid” than usual. If you really want to go it alone, I’d start somewhere locally and push it to its designed extents and see how it holds up. Maybe do that a couple times to ensure any failures that could happen, happen in a place where you’re not stranded too long. Then after finding that out and taking care of any issues that pop up, I’d venture out further once gaining that confidence. I’d still recommend going with a friend (in another recovery vehicle) for big trips, but that’s up to you of course.

One last thing, I’d recommend having a private/alternative mechanic take a look at it if possible if you haven’t done that already, someone you trust aside from the dealership. That might be hard since these cars are newer, but from what I’ve heard the Sports have a very similar setup as the newer (Ford) Escape, so if you’re able to find a mechanic well versed in either, I would think they should be able to tell you what’s good/normal or not. Sometimes a second pair of eyes does the trick!

I hope that helps, and again, sorry to hear you experiencing this. Maybe a lot of what I’m saying is irrelevant since I’ve got a year newer, but either way, I hope you still enjoy as many adventures as possible!
What’s this signature for?
- Elias was here 🤟🏼

BS Badlands

Feb 18, 2025

#2
Yeah, I told myself when I first started driving I would never own a "new" car from the first year of production for its generation for the exact reason(s) you mentioned. Even my Civic was from the 2nd year of that specific generation and there were quite a few things Honda changed from complaints or updates and quality of life improvements and actually the year following mine had quite a few issues. If I didn't get the deal I did on this specific Bronco I most definitely would have stuck to that rule, lol. I have always carried hand tools, jump pack and a portable air compressor with me as long as I have had a license and always will. As long as the car can be started and can drive I should be able to baby it along, even if I have to go 5 mph for 12+ hours I'll make it. 😅

At my next oil change which should be early next month at this rate I will mention these sounds and provide the videos as proof and see what they say. Some are very easy to recreate so there will be no denying the sound is there when I pull in! Getting a private/second opinion is not a bad option, especially from someone not working in association with Ford.

Thank you!

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