Ford recalls 1.74 million SUVs after screen glitches can kill, or flip, rearview camera images

Ford is recalling about 1.74 million Ford and Lincoln SUVs in the U.S. after reports that the center screen can either go dark or display a reversed rearview camera image, two problems that can turn a routine parking-lot backup into a safety risk.

The fixes are software-based and will be free, Ford says. Some owners will get an over-the-air update; others will need a dealership visit. Either way, drivers should watch for a mailed notice and check their VIN to see whether their vehicle is included.

What regulators say is going wrong

The recalls were posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency that oversees vehicle safety in the U.S. The common thread: the infotainment screen that displays the backup camera image.

In one recall, a component tied to the infotainment system can overheat and cause the screen to shut down. If that happens when the driver shifts into reverse, the rearview camera image may not appear at all.

In the other recall, a software issue can cause the rearview camera image to appear flipped or reversed. The camera still works, but the picture can mislead drivers about where obstacles actually are, increasing the odds of a low-speed crash in tight spaces.

Ford’s breakdown: roughly 849,310 vehicles are tied to the overheating-related screen shutdown issue, and about 889,950 are tied to the reversed-image problem, adding up to about 1.74 million SUVs.

Bronco and Edge: screen can go dark from overheating

The overheating-related recall covers certain 2021–2026 Ford Bronco SUVs and 2021–2024 Ford Edge SUVs. Ford points to the APIM, short for Accessory Protocol Interface Module, an internal unit that helps run the infotainment system.

If the module overheats and the display cuts out, drivers can lose the backup camera view right when they need it. That matters in vehicles like the Bronco, where height and design can limit rear visibility, and in family-hauler Edges that spend plenty of time in school pickup lines and crowded parking garages.

Ford says it will address the issue with a free software update to the APIM. Depending on the vehicle’s connectivity and configuration, the update may arrive over the air or be installed at a dealership.

Escape, Explorer, and Lincoln models: rearview image may be reversed

The second recall targets SUVs where the rearview camera image can display reversed or flipped. Models listed include the 2020–2022 Ford Escape, 2020–2024 Ford Explorer, 2020–2022 Lincoln Corsair, and 2020–2024 Lincoln Aviator.

This is the kind of bug that can feel subtle, until it isn’t. If the screen shows an obstacle on the right when it’s actually on the left, a driver may steer the wrong way. In a parking lot, that can mean a quick crunch into a pole, another car, or a curb, damage that adds up fast with modern bumpers, sensors, and lighting.

Ford says the remedy is also a free software update. Some owners may receive an initial recall notice before the final software fix is ready, followed by a second notification when the update is available.

Why the APIM matters, and why over-the-air updates aren’t always simple

The APIM may sound like inside-baseball engineering, but it’s effectively a nerve center for the modern dashboard. When it fails, or when its software misbehaves, it can take down more than entertainment features. It can disrupt camera views and other driver-assistance functions that many motorists now rely on during everyday maneuvers.

Ford is leaning on over-the-air updates where possible, a strategy automakers increasingly use to push fixes without pulling vehicles into service bays. But OTA updates still depend on stable connectivity, a healthy battery, and owners who are comfortable initiating and completing a software install.

Dealerships, meanwhile, have to handle recalls that don’t look like traditional “broken parts” problems. Technicians still need time to confirm software versions, install updates correctly, and verify the camera display works as intended before handing the keys back.

What owners should do now

Start by checking your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to see whether your SUV is included. You can look up recalls through Ford’s recall tools or NHTSA’s database. Ford’s customer service line is 1-866-436-7332.

Keep an eye out for mailed notifications and follow the instructions for either an over-the-air update or a dealership appointment. If you’ve already noticed symptoms, screen freezes, random restarts, or a camera view that doesn’t look right, don’t wait for the letter to take it seriously.

Ford has said it was not aware of any crashes or injuries linked to these issues at the time the recall information was posted. Still, a backup camera that disappears, or shows a misleading image, can turn a split-second decision into a costly, avoidable mistake, especially around pedestrians and cyclists in crowded lots.