Ford Motor Company has announced a major recall affecting over 1.1 million vehicles in the U.S., citing a dangerous software issue that causes rearview camera failures.
📅 Published: May 31, 2025
✍️ By Mehmat
DETROIT — Ford Motor Company has issued a sweeping recall of more than 1.1 million vehicles in the United States, citing a software malfunction that can cause the rearview camera image to freeze or not display when reversing—a serious safety concern, especially for families, senior drivers, and those with limited mobility.
The recall, confirmed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Ford officials on May 28, 2025, involves 2021–2025 model-year vehicles equipped with Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment system. The vehicles span multiple body styles and include top-selling models like the F-150, Mustang Mach-E, and Ford Edge, as well as premium Lincoln SUVs.
📋 What Vehicles Are Affected?
According to Ford and NHTSA documents, the following models are impacted:
- 2021–2022 Ford Bronco
- 2021–2025 Ford F-150
- 2022–2025 Ford Edge
- 2022–2023 Ford Escape
- 2021–2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E
- 2021–2024 Ford Ranger
- 2021–2024 Lincoln Nautilus
- 2022–2023 Lincoln Corsair
- 2021–2023 Lincoln Aviator
In total, 1,135,000 vehicles are covered by this recall. The SYNC 4 system in these vehicles contains a faulty software module responsible for processing the rearview camera feed, which can fail intermittently or completely.
📉 Safety Risks & Consumer Complaints
This recall comes after dozens of consumer complaints were filed with NHTSA, many reporting recurring failures of their backup camera. Four drivers reported near-misses when reversing due to the malfunction. While no crashes or injuries have been confirmed as of the publication of this story, NHTSA has categorized the issue as a potential crash hazard.
The backup camera is a federally required safety feature in vehicles sold after 2018. “If the rearview image is not displayed, it compromises driver visibility and increases the risk of a backover incident,” NHTSA wrote in its official defect notice.
🔧 What’s Causing the Problem?
According to a defect report filed by Ford, the error stems from a software bug in the image processing module (IPM) of the SYNC 4 system. The camera feed may delay, freeze, or fail to initialize altogether when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. In most cases, the screen remains black or frozen, offering no visual aid to the driver.
Ford engineers first replicated the issue in early 2025 after internal diagnostics and consumer reports aligned. A fix was identified by April and tested for a secure software patch.
🔄 What Will Ford Do?
Ford will begin notifying affected owners starting June 16, 2025. The fix involves a free software update to be performed at Ford dealerships. In many cases, customers with over-the-air (OTA) update capability may receive the patch wirelessly, with no dealership visit needed.
Consumers can also check their vehicle’s recall status at:
Dealerships have been instructed to prioritize recall appointments and complete the update in under an hour.
📜 A Pattern of Recalls
This is not the first time Ford has struggled with rearview camera issues. In 2023 and 2024, Ford recalled hundreds of thousands of vehicles for camera blackouts and static-filled feeds. In late 2024, the company was fined $165 million for slow recall responses and failure to meet federal reporting deadlines—one of the largest civil penalties in auto industry history.
“Ford has a history of compliance lapses,” said auto safety attorney Alan Copeland, who has represented clients in recall litigation. “This latest issue highlights systemic quality control concerns, especially around digital and software-based features.”
💬 What Ford Is Saying
A Ford spokesperson told media outlets the company is “committed to ensuring customer safety and satisfaction” and is “working swiftly to resolve the issue across all affected vehicles.”
The company noted that the issue did not impact drivability or braking systems, and no reports of accidents have been linked to the bug.
Ford CEO Jim Farley has not yet issued a personal statement but is expected to address the company’s quality control initiatives during its upcoming quarterly earnings call.
💰 Financial and Industry Impact
While the full cost of the recall is unknown, analysts estimate it could cost Ford tens of millions of dollars, factoring in technician labor, dealership time, and software development. Though this figure is manageable for a company of Ford’s size, the reputational damage—especially following recent EV delays—may weigh more heavily.
Shares of Ford Motor Co. (F) slipped 1.4% the day after the recall was announced, reflecting investor anxiety over continued product reliability challenges.
Moreover, the recall draws attention to the broader auto industry’s dependence on software, as advanced driver-assistance features become standard. Industry analysts warn that as vehicles become more digital, software recalls may become more frequent, and automakers must bolster their QA testing protocols.
📣 What Should Consumers Do Now?
If you own one of the listed Ford or Lincoln models from 2021 to 2025:
- Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov/recalls or Ford’s recall portal.
- Watch for a mailed notice in June.
- If your car is OTA-capable, expect a software update notification directly on your SYNC screen.
- For non-OTA models, schedule a service appointment with your dealer for a free update.
🛑 Final Thoughts
This recall underscores the growing tension between cutting-edge technology and vehicle reliability. As carmakers push the envelope with digital systems, glitches like this will be tested in real-world scenarios, where the cost of failure could be measured in lives, not just dollars.
While Ford is acting to correct the issue, this serves as a reminder that even trusted brands must stay vigilant in ensuring that innovation doesn’t come at the expense of safety.
FACT CHECK SUMMARY:
- Number of vehicles recalled: ~1.1 million confirmed via NHTSA and Ford defect report
- Cause: Rearview camera software malfunction in SYNC 4 system
- No injuries or accidents reported as of May 31, 2025
- Fix: Free software update, OTA or at dealership
- Notification begins: June 16, 2025
