2021-2022 Ford Mustang Knee Bolster Recall (22V083)
Ford Motor Company · 327 vehicles · Reported February 16, 2022
Ford Motor Company is recalling 327 2021-2022 Ford Mustang vehicles. An insufficient weld on the front passenger knee air bag may result in an improper air bag deployment. An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 22V083 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V083000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 22S07 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 16, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2021-2022 Ford Mustang |
| Units affected | 327 |
| Component | Air Bags > Knee Bolster |
| Safety risk | An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Ford Mustang in recall 22V083?
An insufficient weld on the front passenger knee air bag may result in an improper air bag deployment.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Mustang vehicles. An insufficient weld on the front passenger knee air bag may result in an improper air bag deployment.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 Mustang with recall 22V083?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the knee bolster.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V083?
Recall 22V083 covers 327 vehicles: 2021-2022 Ford Mustang.
NHTSA lists 327 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | Ford | Mustang |
What is the fix for the Mustang knee bolster recall?
Yes. Dealers will replace the front passenger knee air bag, free of charge.
Dealers will replace the front passenger knee air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 8, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S07.
When was recall 22V083 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 22V083 to NHTSA on February 16, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 16, 2022 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V083000. |
| March 8, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 56 months ago. If your Mustang was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Mustang is part of recall 22V083?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V083 is open on your Mustang, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 22V083000 is open on your Mustang, it will be listed there, along with Ford recall number 22S07. You can also ask any Ford dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Mustang owners do about recall 22V083?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 22V083000 applies to your Mustang.
- Call a Ford dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any knee bolster symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Mustang owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 105 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 3 of them about the air bags.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the air bags have been filed since recall 22V083 was reported (3) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 105 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 3 of them involve the air bags. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Ford Mustang: 55 complaints in total, 2 about the air bags
- 2022 Ford Mustang: 50 complaints in total, 1 about the air bags
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the onboard App diagnosed the vehicle and related the failure with the air bags knee bolster. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer.
2021 Ford Mustang owner, PA, NHTSA complaint 11590389, filed May 23, 2024
The lane assist kept pulling to the right when the lane markings were unclear. Entering highway, lanes go from 2 to 1. We were merging when a car tried to merge into us. We moved over to the right and the lane assist pulled us into a curb.
2022 Ford Mustang owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11617043, filed September 28, 2024
Can recall 22V083 make my Mustang a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Air bag defects are hidden until the moment they matter most. A recall repair may replace an inflator or sensor, but if warning lights return or the system faults again, that is a repeat repair for a safety defect.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Mustang been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford Mustang recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 22V083
Is the 22V083000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Mustang is part of recall 22V083000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
What if my air bag light stays on after the recall repair?
Go back to the dealer. A warning light that returns means the system may not deploy correctly, and the visit is another repair attempt for a safety defect.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 22V083000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.