Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2022 Ford Bronco
The 2022 Ford Bronco has considerable recalls and complaints, indicating potential issues, especially with the engine, transmission, and electronics. Be aware of possible defects, but with proper inspection, it can still be a reasonable used purchase. The data shows notable areas to inspect closely during the evaluation.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2022 Ford Bronco has 23 NHTSA recall campaigns and 387 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Newest 20 recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V468000 Engine Compartment Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V403000 Fender Flare May Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V299000 Hard Top May Crack and Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V236000 Loss of Drive Power due to Transmission Misalignment NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V124000 Rearview Camera Image May Not Display NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V888000 Rearview Camera May Fail to Turn Off/FMVSS 111 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V721000 Loose Bolt in Driver's Seat Frame NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V685000 Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V455000 Low Pressure Fuel Pump May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V273000 Rearview Camera Image May Not Display NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V315000 Rearview Camera Image May Not Display NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V312000 Rearview Camera Malfunction/FMVSS 111 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V025000 Rear Shock Absorber Reservoir May Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V635000 Engine Intake Valves May Break NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V379000 Incorrect Load Carrying Capacity/FMVSS 110 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V358000 Seat Belt Latch Difficult to Access/FMVSS 208 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V165000 Rearview Camera Malfunction/FMVSS 111 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V155000 Steering Wheel May Lock-Up While Driving NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V070000 Loose Bolt in Transmission May Cause Rollaway NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V928000 Improperly Secured Side Impact Sensors NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 65 complaints
- Engine 53 complaints
- Unknown or Other 42 complaints
- Electrical System 40 complaints
- Power Train 40 complaints
- Service Brakes 40 complaints
Of the 387 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 387 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Engine compartment wiring may short
How to check: Inspect wiring harnesses for damage or wear.
Fender flares may detach
How to check: Check for secure attachment of fender flares.
Misaligned transmission to transfer case
How to check: Ask for service history of transmission repairs.
Airbag side impact sensor insecure
How to check: Check airbag system recalls and fixes documentation.
Steering gear internal damage
How to check: Test steering responsiveness and feel for stiffness.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for engine noise or rough idle.
Red flag: Unusual knocking sounds.
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check dashboard for warning lights.
Red flag: Persistent engine warning light.
- 03
Low-speed maneuvers
What to check: Test steering responsiveness and ease.
Red flag: Steering stiffness or difficulty.
- 04
Straight road drive
What to check: Feel for smooth gear transitions.
Red flag: Rough or clunky shifts.
- 05
Highway acceleration
What to check: Check engine performance and noise.
Red flag: Hesitation or loss of power.
- 06
Braking
What to check: Test for effective and smooth stops.
Red flag: Juddering or poor braking response.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the wiring harness been inspected?
- Were any recalls fixed in your ownership?
- Any known issues with the transmission?
- Have the airbags ever been serviced?
- Is there a history of steering problems?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Vehicle recall repair history
- Complete service and maintenance records
- Accident and damage report
- Warranty documentation, if available
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2022 Ford Bronco at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
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This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.