Dive Brief:
- Ford Motor Co. has recalled over 1 million vehicles over faulty backup camera software that may cause the infotainment screen to freeze, be delayed or black out when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- The recall includes various 2021-2024 model year vehicles, including the Bronco, Ranger and Expedition SUVs, F-Series pickups (including Heavy Duty versions), the Edge, Escape and Lincoln MKX crossovers, and Mustang and Mach-E models.
- Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software to remedy the condition on some models, while other vehicles will receive the fix via an over-the-air update, according to the recall report. The repairs will be free and owner notifications letters are expected to be mailed June 16.
Dive Insight:
The NHTSA notified Ford of the problem on Jan. 17, after receiving rearview camera complaints from customers driving 2021-2023 Ford F-150 pickup models. The agency provided the company with 37 vehicle owner questionnaires (VOQs) related to backup camera display issues.
Ford’s Automotive Safety Office reviewed the VOQs and found 15 reports of the issue, with 18 related to APIM software and four others which alleged an intermittent or persistent loss of the rearview camera image that were “not categorized,” according to the NHTSA.
Though further investigation by Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) between February and April, engineers reproduced the camera failure and traced it to specific SYNC4 software versions installed in the vehicles.
Between April 2 and May 1, Ford’s CCRG reviewed service records and OTA software data to determine if other versions of its SYNC software could lead to backup camera issues. However, its investigation determined that only vehicles equipped with SYNC4 software versions 1.7 through 1.9 experienced camera issues. All of the recalled vehicles are suspected of having these software versions.
Ford’s investigators also identified 232 warranty claims of backup camera faults in the North America market, leading Ford's Field Review Committee to approve the recall on May 2.
According to the NHTSA recall report, the problem is described as an “improper operational sequencing within the wireless communication subsystem of the SYNC software,” which may cause unexpected system resets. If the backup camera system restarts while the vehicle is in reverse, the center infotainment screen may freeze, show a delayed image or black screen.
The automaker is not aware of any injuries related to the backup camera fault, but is aware of one allegation of minor crash resulting in property damage, according to the NHTSA.
In September 2024, Ford recalled 144K Maverick pickups equipped with Ford’s Connected Touch Radio unit for backup camera display screens faults, which was also related to software. In April, Ford recalled another 160K vehicles to address rearview camera display failures caused by a loose circuit board connector.
Ford was also fined $165 million by the NHTSA in November 2024 for responding too slowly to a September 2020 recall of 620,000 vehicles for backup camera faults. Like the latest recall, it included F-series pickup models and the Expedition, Mustang, Escape and Ranger.
The automaker has now issued a total of 56 recalls since Jan. 1, which potentially extends to over 1.9 million vehicles, according to the NHTSA. Ford also issued 67 recalls in 2024, the second highest number behind Stellantis brand Chrysler, which had 72.
