2021-2022 Ford Bronco Backup Camera Recall (23V165)
Ford Motor Company · 1,651 vehicles · Reported March 10, 2023
Ford Motor Company is recalling 1,651 2021-2022 Ford Bronco vehicles. The rearview camera image may still be displayed after a backing event has ended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility." 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. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Recall 23V165 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V165000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 23C05 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | March 10, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2021-2022 Ford Bronco |
| Units affected | 1,651 |
| Component | Back Over Prevention > Sensing System > Camera |
| Safety 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. |
| Fix | Over-the-air software update |
What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Ford Bronco in recall 23V165?
The rearview camera image may still be displayed after a backing event has ended.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles equipped with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens that were previously remedied under recall 22V-825. The rearview camera image may still be displayed after a backing event has ended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 Bronco with recall 23V165?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: 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.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: 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.
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 camera.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V165?
Recall 23V165 covers 1,651 vehicles: 2021-2022 Ford Bronco.
NHTSA lists 1,651 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 | Bronco |
What is the fix for the Bronco backup camera recall?
Yes. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
The SYNC module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C05.
When was recall 23V165 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 23V165 to NHTSA on March 10, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| March 10, 2023 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V165000. |
| March 28, 2024 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 43 months ago. If your Bronco was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Bronco is part of recall 23V165?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V165 is open on your Bronco, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Bronco owners do about recall 23V165?
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 23V165000 applies to your Bronco.
- Call a Ford dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any camera 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 recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Bronco owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 605 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 27 of them about the rearview camera.
Since recall 23V165 was reported on March 10, 2023, owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the rearview camera on these vehicles. 1 of them (4%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the rearview camera and were received on or after March 10, 2023, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related rearview camera issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 605 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 27 of them involve the rearview camera. 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.
- 2022 Ford Bronco: 376 complaints in total, 19 about the rearview camera
- 2021 Ford Bronco: 229 complaints in total, 8 about the rearview camera
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while in reverse on several occasions, the back-over prevention camera failed to work as intended. The contact stated that on one occasion while in drive, the back-over prevention camera was displayed inadvertently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
2021 Ford Bronco owner, NC, NHTSA complaint 11639094, filed January 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact had received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V635000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), 25V025000 (Suspension), 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available.
2021 Ford Bronco owner, OR, NHTSA complaint 11673354, filed July 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that he received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V165000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted.
2021 Ford Bronco owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11520203, filed May 3, 2023
Can recall 23V165 make my Bronco 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.
Recall 23V165000 does not automatically make your Bronco a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
A rearview camera that blanks out or freezes is a safety issue because federal rules require a working backup image. Camera problems are often software related, and many owners see them come back after an update.
Because the remedy is an over-the-air update, there may be no repair order unless you take the 2021-2022 Ford Bronco in. If the symptom continues after the update, get it documented at the dealer so it counts.
Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 22V825000.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Bronco went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
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.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no 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 Bronco been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford Bronco recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V165
Did the recall 23V165 fix work?
Since recall 23V165 was reported on March 10, 2023, owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the rearview camera on these vehicles. 1 of them (4%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 23V165000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Bronco is part of recall 23V165000?
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.
Is it legal to drive with a blank backup camera?
Federal safety rules require new vehicles to have a working rearview image, which is why camera failures are recalled. Have it repaired, and use mirrors and extra care until then.
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.
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 23V165000 (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.