Ford has announced a significant recall affecting approximately 169,000 vehicles in the United States due to rearview camera-related issues. The company is taking proactive measures to replace these cameras and update the associated software, incurring a substantial cost of $270 million to address the recall.
This recall is just the latest in a series of recalls that Ford has initiated over the past few years concerning rear camera problems. The No. 2 U.S. automaker has faced several challenges in this regard, indicating the complexity and importance of resolving these issues promptly.
In May, Ford issued a recall affecting 422,000 vehicles in the United States due to concerns that the rearview camera display might fail. This came on the heels of an earlier recall in January that impacted a staggering 462,000 vehicles worldwide. It’s worth noting that many vehicles have been subjected to multiple recalls for the same rear camera problem, highlighting the persistence of this issue.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has expressed its concern about the potential consequences of rear camera malfunctions. The loss of the rearview camera image can significantly impede a driver’s visibility while reversing, thereby increasing the risk of accidents and collisions.
Ford’s response to this recall involves replacing the rearview cameras and updating the associated software in several models, including 2020-2023 Explorer and Aviator vehicles, 2020-2022 Corsair vehicles, 2022-2023 Transit vans, 2018-2021 Navigator vehicles, and 2021 Bronco vehicles. These actions are aimed at ensuring the safety and functionality of the rearview camera systems in these vehicles.
In the context of this recall, Ford reported 3,486 warranty claims related to rear camera failures and noted two minor crashes that resulted from this issue. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries associated with these incidents.
It’s worth mentioning that since 2021, the NHTSA has been conducting an investigation into whether Ford delayed a 2020 recall of 620,000 vehicles related to rear camera problems and whether the company recalled a sufficient number of vehicles. This ongoing investigation underscores the importance of timely and comprehensive recall actions to ensure the safety of motorists and passengers on the road. Ford’s commitment to addressing these issues and taking steps to enhance the safety of their vehicles is evident in their latest recall and financial commitment to rectify the rear camera problems.
