Rearview Camera Issues in Certain Ford and Lincoln Vehicles

On 2025-05-30 08:02:02

A recent investigation has uncovered a technical glitch affecting the rearview cameras in select Ford and Lincoln models. This issue can lead to a delayed, frozen, or non-functional camera display when the vehicle is in reverse gear, potentially increasing the risk of accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initially reached out to Ford in January 2025 after receiving numerous complaints from vehicle owners regarding faulty rearview cameras in certain F-150 models from 2021 to 2023. Upon further examination, Ford's Automotive Safety Office identified a total of 37 complaints, with 15 instances of frozen camera images and 18 cases related to SYNC and APIM concerns.

A thorough analysis by Ford's Critical Concern Review Group and the SYNC engineering team revealed that specific software variants, ranging from 1.7 to 1.9, were the root cause of the problem. This discovery led to a broader investigation, which found that multiple vehicle lines were affected, resulting in 232 warranty claims in North America.

The impacted vehicles include popular Ford models such as the Bronco, F-150, Edge, Escape, and Expedition, as well as several Lincoln models like the Nautilus, Navigator, and Corsair. The issue stems from a software error within the accessory protocol interface module (APIM), which will be rectified through a dealer update or an over-the-air patch.

Fortunately, only one minor accident resulting in property damage has been reported, with no injuries linked to this concern. To address the issue, Ford is launching a field action, with preliminary notifications expected to be sent to owners on June 16, 2025. A follow-up letter will be dispatched once the solution is available, anticipated for the third quarter of 2025.

It is crucial for affected owners to take note of this issue and adhere to Ford's instructions to ensure their rearview camera system is updated and functioning correctly, thereby minimizing the risk of accidents.

In essence, a software error has been identified as the cause of rearview camera problems in certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles. A field action has been initiated to update the affected systems, and owners are advised to be aware of this issue and take necessary steps to ensure their safety on the road.

The following models are affected:

2021-2024 Ford Bronco
2021-2024 Ford F-150
2021-2024 Ford Edge
2023-2024 Ford Escape
2023-2024 Ford F-250 SD
2023-2024 Ford F-350 SD
2023-2024 Ford F-450 SD
2023-2024 Ford F-550 SD
2023-2024 Ford F-600 SD
2022-2024 Ford Expedition
2022-2025 Ford Transit
2021-2023 Ford Mach-E
2024 Ford Ranger
2024 Ford Mustang
2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus
2022-2024 Lincoln Navigator
2023-2024 Lincoln Corsair

The APIM software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update. Preliminary notifications are expected to be mailed on June 16, 2025, with a second letter to follow once the solution is available in the third quarter of 2025. The recall reference numbers are Ford's 25S49 and NHTSA's 25V-315.

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