The short answer: if your Jeep Wrangler is a 2018 JL or newer, or if you drive a 2021+ Ford Bronco, you have a backup camera. Federal law requires it. If you have an older JK Wrangler (2007 to 2018), you probably do not, unless you paid for an optional Uconnect 8.4" package on a Sahara or Rubicon trim. Here is how to know for certain, and why it matters before you order a spare tire cover.
In this article
- The federal law that changed everything in 2018
- Jeep Wrangler JK vs JL: which one has a camera?
- Ford Bronco backup camera breakdown
- How to tell if your specific Jeep has a camera
- Why it matters for spare tire covers
- Frequently asked questions
What federal law says about backup cameras
On April 7, 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a final rule under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111 (FMVSS 111), requiring a rearview visibility system on all new light vehicles with a GVWR under 10,000 lbs sold in the United States. The rule gave automakers four years to comply. Starting May 1, 2018, every new Jeep, Ford, and light vehicle rolled off the line with a backup camera. No exceptions.
This is why your neighbor's 2017 Wrangler may not have one while your 2019 JL does. It is not a trim level difference; it is the law. The full regulation is codified at 49 CFR Part 571.111, and the NHTSA estimates it prevents roughly 58 to 69 deaths and 7,800 to 8,374 injuries per year in the U.S.
Jeep Wrangler JK vs JL: which generation has a backup camera?
The Wrangler's two most recent generations straddle the 2018 mandate almost exactly, which is why owners get confused.
| Generation | Years | Backup Camera? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| JK | 2007-2018 | Usually no | Available as an option on Sahara and Rubicon trims with the Uconnect 8.4" navigation package. Sport and Sport S trims: no camera. |
| JL | 2018-present | Always yes | Standard on every trim, every body style (2-door and 4-door JLU). Required by FMVSS 111. |
| Gladiator JT | 2020-present | Always yes | Standard on all trims. The camera is in the tailgate, but the Gladiator's spare mounts under the truck bed, not on the tailgate, so a camera-hole tire cover is not needed. |
One nuance worth knowing: some 2018 JKs were manufactured before the May 1, 2018 deadline and technically did not require the camera. If you own a 2018 JK and are not sure, the fastest check is to put the vehicle in reverse and see if a video feed appears. If nothing happens, you do not have one.
Fits over your spare without blocking the backup camera lens. Ships ready to install.
Does the Ford Bronco have a backup camera?
Yes. Every new Ford Bronco (2021 and newer) comes with a backup camera as standard equipment, a requirement of the same federal mandate. The camera is built into the tailgate, directly behind where the spare tire mounts. This is the same placement as the Jeep JL, and it raises the same tire-cover consideration: a cover without a camera hole will sit flush against the lens and block your view.
The original Ford Bronco (1966 to 1996) is a different story. Those classic trucks predate rear camera technology entirely. If you have a vintage Bronco, you do not have a factory camera, and you do not need a camera-hole cutout.
How to tell if your specific Jeep has a backup camera
Not sure which side of the 2018 line your rig falls on? Three quick checks:
- Put it in reverse. If a video feed appears on your center screen, you have a camera. This works 100% of the time.
- Look at your tailgate. On JL Wranglers, the camera is a small circular lens mounted in the center of the tailgate, just below the Jeep logo. If you see a lens, you have a camera.
- Check your trim and build sheet. JK Sport and Sport S trims almost never have the camera. JK Sahara and Rubicon with the Uconnect 8.4" NAV package sometimes do. Your window sticker or dealer options sheet will confirm it.
Why this matters for your spare tire cover
On the Jeep JL and new Bronco, the backup camera lives right behind the spare tire. When you mount a tire cover, it presses against that area. A standard cover without a camera cutout will block the lens, either producing a dark, covered image or triggering a camera obstruction warning.
The fix is simple: choose a tire cover designed with a backup camera hole. These covers have a circular cutout sized and positioned for the OEM camera location, so your view stays clear, and your cover looks great.
If you have a JK without a camera, or a classic Bronco, a standard cover works fine. No cutout needed.
Full-coverage standard tire cover, no cutout. Perfect for JK owners and anyone without a factory camera.
Frequently asked questions
Does a 2017 Jeep Wrangler have a backup camera?
Usually not. The 2017 JK Wrangler did not include a backup camera as standard equipment on any trim. Some 2017 Sahara and Rubicon models with the optional Uconnect 8.4" navigation system had the camera added, but it was not common. The federal mandate requiring cameras did not take effect until May 2018. To confirm, put your 2017 in reverse and check for a video feed on your screen.
Does the Jeep JL always have a backup camera?
Yes. Every Jeep Wrangler JL (2018 and newer) comes with a factory backup camera on every trim, including the base Sport. This is required by federal law under FMVSS 111. The camera is mounted in the center of the tailgate, directly behind the spare tire carrier.
Will a regular spare tire cover block my backup camera?
It can. On vehicles where the camera is in the tailgate behind the spare (JL and new Bronco), a cover without a camera cutout will block the lens. You will either lose your camera view or get a blocked-lens alert. Choose a tire cover with a backup camera hole cutout to keep the lens clear.
Does the Ford Bronco have a backup camera?
Yes. The 2021 and newer Ford Bronco has a factory backup camera as standard equipment on all trims, required by the same 2018 federal mandate. The camera is in the tailgate, behind the spare tire, so the same camera-hole rule applies when choosing a tire cover.
How do I know if my tire cover has a camera hole?
Spare tire covers designed for camera-equipped vehicles have a circular cutout, typically 2 to 3 inches in diameter, positioned in the center of the cover. At Jeep Decal Store, products made for camera-equipped vehicles include "with backup camera hole" in the product title so you can order with confidence.
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