Ford is calling back about 1.74 million vehicles in the United States after federal safety regulators flagged a problem that can leave drivers staring at a blank or misleading backup camera screen just when they need it most. The recall hits multiple Ford and Lincoln models and traces to two related issues: an infotainment module that can overheat and cut the camera feed, and a separate software glitch that can flip or invert the image on the center display. It is the latest in a run of software-driven safety recalls that have put Ford under a bright federal spotlight.
What regulators said
According to Reuters, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said certain Bronco and Edge models are being recalled because the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) can overheat and shut down, which can knock out the rearview camera image altogether. The agency added that other vehicles, including the Escape and Lincoln Corsair, are being recalled because the image on the center display can flip or invert, leaving drivers with an incorrectly shown rear view. Reuters reported the total number of affected U.S. vehicles at about 1.74 million.
Scope and models affected
NHTSA's recall filing for campaign 25V315 lists roughly 1,075,299 vehicles and explains that a software error in the APIM can cause the rearview camera image to freeze, be delayed, or not show up at all when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. The filing names a wide range of models, from F-150s and Broncos to Mustang Mach-E and Transit vans, and warns that a frozen or missing image can restrict a driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. In that filing, NHTSA notes Ford's internal reference for the campaign as 25S49 and says interim owner notices were planned while the company finalized a permanent remedy.
How Ford will fix it
"The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge," the NHTSA filing states. Owners who do not receive an over-the-air patch can bring their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer for the same update at no cost. Ford told regulators it will send initial interim letters and then follow-up owner notifications once the final remedy is ready to roll.
What owners should do
Owners are urged to plug their vehicle identification number into the recall lookup tools at NHTSA.gov or on Ford's site and to sign up for mailed notifications so they know when a specific fix is available for their model. Reuters notes that the effort involves multiple NHTSA filings, which means some drivers may receive more than one owner letter depending on the vehicle and build dates. In the meantime, if the backup image is unreliable, drivers are advised to fall back on mirrors, head checks and a little extra patience when reversing until the software fix is in place.
Why regulators are watching
Federal regulators have already been watching Ford closely over prior backup camera troubles. The company previously entered into a consent order with NHTSA that included a civil penalty tied to earlier delays and shortcomings in its recall reporting. "Timely and accurate recalls are critical to keeping everyone safe on our roads," NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said, according to the AP. That level of oversight helps explain why regulators are pushing hard for swift over-the-air rollouts and broad owner outreach as this latest recall unfolds.
