2021-2026 Ford Bronco Backup Camera Software Recall (26V124)
Ford Motor Company · 849,310 vehicles · Reported March 3, 2026
Ford Motor Company is recalling 849,310 2021-2026 Ford Bronco; 2021-2024 Ford Edge vehicles. The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Recall 26V124 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 26V124000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 26S09 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | March 3, 2026 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2021-2026 Ford Bronco; 2021-2024 Ford Edge |
| Units affected | 849,310 |
| Component | Back Over Prevention > Software |
| Safety risk | A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Over-the-air software update |
What is wrong with the 2021-2026 Ford Bronco in recall 26V124?
The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and 2021-2024 Ford Edge vehicles. The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2026 Bronco with recall 26V124?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Bronco shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the software, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 26V124?
Recall 26V124 covers 849,310 vehicles: 2021-2026 Ford Bronco; 2021-2024 Ford Edge.
NHTSA lists 849,310 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2026 | Ford | Bronco |
| 2021-2024 | Ford | Edge |
What is the fix for the Bronco backup camera software recall?
Yes. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
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.
When was recall 26V124 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 26V124 to NHTSA on March 3, 2026. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as April 13, 2026.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| March 3, 2026 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 26V124000. |
| April 13, 2026 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 7 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 26V124?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 26V124 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 2021-2026 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 26V124?
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 26V124000 applies to your Bronco.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ford dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- 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 software 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 1,274 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 73 of them about the rearview camera.
Since recall 26V124 was reported on March 3, 2026, owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about the rearview camera on these vehicles. 2 of them (8%) 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 3, 2026, 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 1,274 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 73 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
- 2023 Ford Bronco: 226 complaints in total, 6 about the rearview camera
- 2022 Ford Edge: 131 complaints in total, 17 about the rearview camera
- 2021 Ford Edge: 111 complaints in total, 12 about the rearview camera
- 2024 Ford Bronco: 75 complaints in total, 2 about the rearview camera
- 2025 Ford Bronco: 52 complaints in total, 3 about the rearview camera
- 2024 Ford Edge: 44 complaints in total, 6 about the rearview camera
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V273000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V025000 (Suspension); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
2022 Ford Bronco owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11661810, filed May 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that upon placing the vehicle in reverse(R), either a blue or blank image was displayed on the rearview camera screen.
2022 Ford Bronco owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11671766, filed July 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V025000 (Suspension), 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention), and 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a bumpy ride.
2022 Ford Bronco owner, NY, NHTSA complaint 11674199, filed July 17, 2025
Can recall 26V124 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.
Owners often ask whether this software recall means their Bronco qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (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 2021-2026 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: 25V160000, 25V315000.
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.
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 26V124
Did the recall 26V124 fix work?
Since recall 26V124 was reported on March 3, 2026, owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about the rearview camera on these vehicles. 2 of them (8%) 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.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed April 13, 2026.
Is the 26V124000 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 26V124000?
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 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 26V124000 (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.