Ford bulletin SSM 52166
What it saysSome 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles equipped with SYNC 4 may experience a concern during SYNC module (APIM) programming where the vehicle's center display screen indicates: USB Error. NHTSA’s full summary ↓
Ford filed this with NHTSA as a service bulletin dated Jan 9, 2024, received Jan 18, 2024, about the engine. It names 4 model years (2021–2024). A service bulletin is not a safety recall: it is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a condition, and whether the work is paid for depends on the warranty in force. Quoting the number at a service desk can save a diagnosis.
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What the bulletin says
Source: NHTSA's summary of the manufacturer's communicationSome 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles equipped with SYNC 4 may experience a concern during SYNC module (APIM) programming where the vehicle's center display screen indicates: USB Error. This may be due to a lack of memory space available to perform the APIM software update. If it is a memory concern, the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) will provide an option to delete the voice application. Re-enter the module programming and when prompted, do not select first option - SYNC Module (APIM) Software Update, select the second option - Delete Voice Application(s) From Module. Once deleted, run the SYNC Module (APIM) Software Update as directed, this will update the software and automatically reload the voice app. If the voice delete option is not available, continue with normal diagnostics in the Workshop Manual, Section 418.
Document filed under this number
| Document | Kind | Dated | NHTSA id | At NHTSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSM 52166 | Service bulletin | Jan 9, 2024 | 10248991 | PDF, 55 KB |
The summary is NHTSA’s abstract of the document, as filed under 49 CFR 579.5. One communication is usually filed as several documents — the bulletin, a dealer notice, an owner letter — and the number on any of them finds this page. A PDF link is shown only once NHTSA’s own server has been seen to serve that document; the rest are checked over the following nights. Quote the number at a service desk; it is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
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Model years it names
Source: as the manufacturer filed themA vehicle page’s bulletin list shows the newest few communications filed against that model year; the count there is every one.
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What owners reported
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseOwners of the 4 model years this bulletin names have filed 932 complaints with NHTSA since 2015. 156 of them name Engine — the same broad component group this bulletin is filed under. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so that means the same area of the vehicle, not necessarily the same fault.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormally loud knocking sounds. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with metal shavings in the engine oil and filter.
2022 Ford Bronco · Engine · filed with NHTSA Oct 17, 2022 · ODI 11489654
Was driving my son to school, maybe 30 mph when all of a sudden I heard some clicking noises from the engine. The power dropped and I was barely able to pull over to the side of the busy road out of harms way. Engine dead.
2021 Ford Bronco · Engine · filed with NHTSA Feb 24, 2022 · ODI 11453933
My vehicle started showing power loss, and within 1 mile of driving completely died and refused to restart. The dealership diagnosed the engine as having dropped a piston and will require a full replacement
2021 Ford Bronco · Engine · filed with NHTSA Mar 5, 2022 · ODI 11455294
In depth: 2022 Ford Bronco engine problems → · 2021 Ford Bronco engine problems →
A complaint is one owner’s account, not a defect finding, and a bulletin is not a recall. Nothing here says this bulletin was issued because of these complaints, or that the repair it describes fixed them. Complaint files on this site begin in 2015.
More bulletins about the engine
Source: same model, same component group23 other manufacturer communications filed against the Ford Bronco under the same component group (engine), newest first. The eight newest are listed; the rest are on the Ford list.
| Number | Kind | Dated | NHTSA’s summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSM 55228 | Service bulletin | Oct 8, 2026 | Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel) engine may need the front engine cove… |
| 25B51 | Other | May 9, 2026 | Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016-2024 Model Year Explor… |
| 24N12 S2 | Other | Mar 31, 2026 | Certain 2021 - 2022 Model Year Various Vehicles Engine Valve Inspection Test This submission includes : Technical Instructions Updated word… |
| SSM 54544 | Service bulletin | Feb 2, 2026 | Some 2025 Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagn… |
| SSM 54451 | Service bulletin | Dec 18, 2025 | Some 2025 Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with only… |
| SSM 54275 | Service bulletin | Oct 7, 2025 | Some 2021-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine, 2021-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost or 3.0L plug… |
| 25H03 | Other | Sep 3, 2025 | Harvest Program 25H03 Certain 2024 - 2025 Model Year Bronco, Bronco Sport, Corsair, Escape, Explorer, Maverick, Mustang, and Ranger Vehicle… |
| PCM-25.10.0 | Over-the-air update | Sep 2, 2025 | Quality improvements include: -Addresses a potential Malfunction Indicator Lamp caused by two Diagnostic Trouble Codes triggered by a random… |
Quote the number at the service desk. It is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Every manufacturer communication NHTSA holds for Ford, by the number printed on the letter.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR 579.5Is Ford SSM 52166 a recall?
No. A service bulletin is a manufacturer communication filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR 579.5; a safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number (two digits, a letter, six digits) and a federal duty to repair for free. Check the vehicle’s recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or on its page here.
Is the SSM 52166 repair free?
Not automatically. A service bulletin describes how to diagnose or repair a condition; who pays depends on the warranty in force, any extension, and the dealer. Quoting the number can save a diagnosis either way.
Which vehicles does SSM 52166 cover?
The manufacturer filed it against 4 model years: 2024 Ford Bronco, 2023 Ford Bronco, 2022 Ford Bronco, 2021 Ford Bronco. Whether one particular vehicle is affected is a matter of its VIN and its build, not its model year alone.