NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2022 Ford Bronco
Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.
The Ford Bronco is a body-on-frame midsize SUV that made its long-awaited return for the 2021 model year, targeting off-road enthusiasts and adventure-driven buyers who want genuine trail capability wrapped in retro-inspired styling. It competes directly with the Jeep Wrangler and slots above Ford's own Bronco Sport in the lineup. Its rugged identity is central to its appeal, but shoppers should weigh that character carefully against its safety record.
The 2022 Ford Bronco earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 60 out of 100, an below average result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. It has 22 recalls on record, reflected in the score.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
Reviewers generally celebrate the Bronco's authentic off-road capability, its customizable modular design, and the emotional appeal of the revived nameplate. Most praise its trail performance and feature set for the price. However, reviewers also commonly flag its on-road ride quality and refinement as trade-offs inherent to the body-on-frame platform, positioning it as a purpose-built enthusiast vehicle rather than an all-around family hauler.
NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 16331
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record
STRUCTURE:BODY26V403000
Risk: A detached fender flare can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the fender flares as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed August 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in late August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S47. Vehicle Identifi
Reported 2026-06-24
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS26V299000
Risk: A detached section of roof can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the hard top as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed May 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S32. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in thi
Reported 2026-05-12
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION26V236000
Risk: Excessive wear of the transmission and transfer case splines may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission to transfer case joint and replace the transmission and transfer case as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 8, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 2
Reported 2026-04-14
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE26V124000
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The APIM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S09. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.
Reported 2026-03-03
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA25V888000
Risk: A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealer will update the SYNC module software ,free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 28, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C72. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 30, 2026.
Reported 2025-12-18
SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS25V721000
Risk: A seat with a dislodged bolt may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the pivot links and bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB5. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 28, 2025.
Reported 2025-10-23
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER25V685000
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters
Reported 2025-10-10
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP25V455000
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 16, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated 2nd Quarter 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1
Reported 2025-07-07
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA25V273000
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S48. This recall expands previous recall number 23V-598.
Reported 2025-05-14
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V315000
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is avail
Reported 2025-05-09
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA25V312000
Risk: A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update SYNC module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C14.
Reported 2025-05-09
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER25V025000
Risk: An external reservoir that detaches from a vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear shock absorbers, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S01.
Reported 2025-01-17
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
343 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.