Abstract: An energy absorbing bracket assembly (20) for supporting a knee bolster (22) on a vehicle instrument panel (12) includes a pair of brackets (30) that are each formed from sheet metal with a construction that is capable of absorbing energy even in confined spaces. Each bracket (30) includes a mounting flange (34) for mounting on the instrument panel (12), a support flange structure (38) for mounting the knee bolster (22), and a vertically extending energy absorbing section (40) having a peripheral portion (42) and a web (44) that extends from the peripheral portion adjacent the mounting flange (34) to the peripheral portion adjacent the support flange structure (38). A pair of peripheral legs (46) and (48) of the peripheral portion are located on opposite sides of the web (44) and cooperate therewith to define a pair of spaced openings (50, 52). The web (44) reinforces the bracket (30) to position the knee bolster (22) but buckles under loading to absorb energy.