Ford has issued a major recall affecting more than 1.7 million SUVs and crossovers due to problems involving rearview camera functionality. The recall impacts multiple models across Ford and Lincoln lineups, including the Ford Bronco, Edge, Explorer, and Escape, as well as the Lincoln Corsair and Aviator.
According to information released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall involves 1,739,260 vehicles across 26 different product variants. Two separate technical issues have been identified, but both can interfere with the proper operation of the rearview camera system.
The recall is divided into two separate actions, each affecting more than 800,000 vehicles.
The first recall impacts 849,310 vehicles, including 2021–2026 Ford Bronco models and 2021–2024 Ford Edge crossovers. In these vehicles, the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat. The system can reach temperatures of up to 105°C (221°F), causing the touchscreen and rearview camera display to shut down temporarily until the system cools.
The second recall affects 889,950 vehicles, including the 2020–2022 Ford Escape, 2020–2022 Lincoln Corsair, 2020–2024 Ford Explorer, and 2020–2024 Lincoln Aviator. In this case, the problem may cause the rearview camera image on the center display to appear flipped or inverted, which could confuse drivers when reversing or maneuvering.
Because both issues affect the display of the rearview camera, the vehicles are considered noncompliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111, which governs rear visibility requirements.
Software Issues Behind the Problems
For the Bronco and Edge recall, Ford reports that the overheating issue is caused by a combination of hardware placement and software limitations. Components such as HVAC ducts and the audio head unit are located close to the APIM module, generating heat that can cause the system to shut down under certain conditions.
The second issue involves a touch integrated circuit within the display’s printed circuit board. During startup, a pulse on the inter-integrated circuit data bus can alter the display microcontroller’s settings, resulting in an inverted image or reversed display graphics.
Although Ford expects both problems to be resolved through software updates, fixes are not yet available.
For the Bronco and Edge recall, the company expects the software remedy to be ready by the end of March. Owners are expected to receive official notification letters between March 30 and April 3.
However, the second recall affecting the Escape, Explorer, Corsair, and Aviator does not yet have a confirmed timeline for when a repair will be available, meaning some owners may have to wait longer for a solution.
