Transmission Reliability

[2021FordBronco2]

I was wondering now that the oldest Broncos are 3 years old now, which trans is more reliable. The manual or the auto?

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[Ducati1098]

Auto by far.
Although the only issue with the manual is the common grinding noise. Doesn't necessarily affect reliability of it. So they're both good.

 

[CV428]

I know this is just anecdotal, but the only Ford transmission I ever had an issue with was a high mileage AOD with valvebody problems. I've had 4R's, 6R's, 10R's, C4/C6, TR6060, you name it. Beat the absolute snot out of some of them and never had an issue, including racing applications. The TR6060 may not even count as its Tremec, but it did have the sticky synchro annoyance but no functional issues.

With that said, I have spent a disturbing amount this year on repairs on our low-mileage F150 caused by poorly-engineered electronics (electronic steering, don't get me started on that topic), and unnecessary EPA-driven garbage failing (such as IMRCs, AGS, etc). Ford, for the most part, makes decent drivetrains but the peripherals are where the vast majority of repairs on my vehicles have been. Obvious exceptions include the valve issue on '22 V6 Broncos and things of that nature, but on the whole I truly believe Ford drivetrains are stout.

tl;dr: I really wouldn't worry about the transmission unless you are pushing the vehicle to its absolute max on a continual basis.

 

[BlueWaffle]

3 years really isn't long enough for any sort of realistic determination lol. Ask in another 7 when most early broncos are beating in on 150k

 

[indio22]

Auto by far.
Although the only issue with the manual is the common grinding noise. Doesn't necessarily affect reliability of it. So they're both good.

You see via your profession a lot more transmissions than I do, so I can't argue with the overall numbers. But ... auto transmissions have bit my household in the behind with issues and costly repairs. While all our manual transmission vehicles have been flawless (in terms of not malfunctioning or needing a fix).

Maybe it's just bad luck or keeping vehicles in service too long, but I say a little prayer when one of my auto trans vehicles makes a funky shift, lol.

 

[Ducati1098]

You see via your profession a lot more transmissions than I do, so I can't argue with the overall numbers. But ... auto transmissions have bit my household in the behind with issues and costly repairs. While all our manual transmission vehicles have been flawless.

Maybe it's just bad luck or keeping vehicles in service too long, but I say a little prayer when one of my auto trans vehicles makes a funky shift, lol.

Yeah I’m just talking about the Bronco alone.

Overall I fix far more automatic transmissions in other models than manuals, it’s not even close.

 

[2021FordBronco2]

3 years really isn't long enough for any sort of realistic determination lol. Ask in another 7 when most early broncos are beating in on 150k

While that may be true, it's still a bit of time for some potential issues to start arising.

 

[2021FordBronco2]

Auto by far.
Although the only issue with the manual is the common grinding noise. Doesn't necessarily affect reliability of it. So they're both good.

I know this is just anecdotal, but the only Ford transmission I ever had an issue with was a high mileage AOD with valvebody problems. I've had 4R's, 6R's, 10R's, C4/C6, TR6060, you name it. Beat the absolute snot out of some of them and never had an issue, including racing applications. The TR6060 may not even count as its Tremec, but it did have the sticky synchro annoyance but no functional issues.

With that said, I have spent a disturbing amount this year on repairs on our low-mileage F150 caused by poorly-engineered electronics (electronic steering, don't get me started on that topic), and unnecessary EPA-driven garbage failing (such as IMRCs, AGS, etc). Ford, for the most part, makes decent drivetrains but the peripherals are where the vast majority of repairs on my vehicles have been. Obvious exceptions include the valve issue on '22 V6 Broncos and things of that nature, but on the whole I truly believe Ford drivetrains are stout.

tl;dr: I really wouldn't worry about the transmission unless you are pushing the vehicle to its absolute max on a continual basis.

Thank you for your guy's response.

 

[roboticsrob]

Yeah I’m just talking about the Bronco alone.

Overall I fix far more automatic transmissions in other models than manuals, it’s not even close.

Since under 2% of all new cars are manual, I would expect that almost all of your repairs are automatics. What would indicate an big advantage in reliability/issues is if you've never repaired a manual, or if 20% of your transmission repairs were manuals.

That said we've had multiple vehicles with failed transmissions, all of them auto, but they were dual clutch and cvt's, only traditional auto we've had fail was a Volvo unit installed in a Saturn.

 

[Ducati1098]

3 years really isn't long enough for any sort of realistic determination lol. Ask in another 7 when most early broncos are beating in on 150k

Maybe not for the MT-88, but the 10R60 is already proven to be very reliable. It’s been out longer and takes a heavy beating from lots of people with Explorer ST’s

Since under 2% of all new cars are manual, I would expect that almost all of your repairs are automatics. What would indicate an big advantage in reliability/issues is if you've never repaired a manual, or if 20% of your transmission repairs were manuals.

That said we've had multiple vehicles with failed transmissions, all of them auto, but they were dual clutch and cvt's, only traditional auto we've had fail was a Volvo unit installed in a Saturn.

I’m talking about repairs in models that have both available. It still heavily favors automatics even if less manual models are built. For everything other than the Bronco that is.

 

[Techun]

Maybe not for the MT-88, but the 10R60 is already proven to be very reliable. It’s been out longer and takes a heavy beating from lots of people with Explorer ST’s



I’m talking about repairs in models that have both available. It still heavily favors automatics even if less manual models are built. For everything other than the Bronco that is.

Even for cars that offer manual and automatic, no one buys the manuals. Even for sports cars, it's pretty sad.

 

[Ducati1098]

Even for cars that offer manual and automatic, no one buys the manuals. Even for sports cars, it's pretty sad.

Now days, 100%. But it used to be a little more spread out.

 

[Dusty]

57,000 miles on my '21 Base with the manual trans. Never had any issues with it. I had the faint grinding noise early on. It has either gone away or I'm just not noticing it any more.

 

[bf4445]

Yeah I’m just talking about the Bronco alone.

Overall I fix far more automatic transmissions in other models than manuals, it’s not even close.

thats because there are at least 50 or more autos out there per stick shift vehicle, maybe 200 per stick, sticks are not common anymore..

 

[adam1991]

But ... auto transmissions have bit my household in the behind with issues and costly repairs.

• quit buying Hondas
• quit doing "transmission flushes"

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