Ford Rearview Camera Recall: Every Model, Fix & Safety Risk Explained

You throw it in Reverse, and the screen goes dark, lags, or freezes mid-frame like a stalled video. Across F-150s, Mavericks, and even luxury Lincolns, rear cameras are dropping out without warning.

Since 2020, Ford has issued five major recalls tied to this problem. Some cases trace back to glitchy SYNC 4 software. Others involve corroded connectors or defective hardware from Magna. The biggest one yet, 25V-315 / Ford 25S49, covers more than 1 million vehicles built from 2021 to 2025.

Backup cameras aren’t optional. Federal law (FMVSS 111) requires a working image behind the car. Ford’s already been hit with a $165 million fine for dragging its feet once.

If your view cuts out in Reverse or you haven’t checked recall status, now’s the time. This guide walks through the full recall list, affected models, repair options, and how to drive safer while you wait.

SYNC 4 glitch blinds over a million drivers

Ford’s biggest recall yet, 25V-315 / Ford 25S49, doesn’t stem from busted hardware. It’s a software bug buried deep inside SYNC 4’s code. And it’s knocking out rearview cameras without throwing a single warning.

A misfire inside the infotainment brain

At the core of the problem is the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM). SYNC 4 versions 1.7 through 1.9 have a flaw in how they handle wireless communication. When the system boots up, it sometimes runs commands in the wrong order, causing the rear camera feed to lag, lock up, or disappear entirely.

There’s no error message. No flashing light. Just a black screen, a frozen frame, or nothing at all, the moment you shift into Reverse.

Ford began digging into it after a flood of complaints, many from 2021–2023 F-150 owners. They re-created the glitch in-house and traced it back to the faulty SYNC versions. The fix? A reflash of the APIM software.

What it means for safety

The NHTSA doesn’t care if the failure is digital or physical. If your rear camera doesn’t give you a live view when reversing, the car’s out of spec. That breaks FMVSS 111, and that’s enough to trigger a safety recall.

So far, Ford’s only confirmed one minor property-damage crash tied to this glitch. But that’s likely just a sliver of the real picture. These aren’t high-speed collisions, just fender benders in parking lots, driveways, and crowded curbs. Incidents that don’t always get reported.

The bottom line is, if your screen lags when backing up, that software needs to go.

Over a million vehicles flagged, see if yours made the list

The SYNC 4 recall (25V-315) sweeps across nearly every Ford showroom nameplate built from 2021 to 2025. Trucks, SUVs, crossovers, EVs, you name it, it’s probably in there.

These are the models, and how many are affected

If you’re driving one of these and your SYNC version falls between 1.7 and 1.9, odds are high you’re in recall territory.

Ford’s fix: A software patch, if you can get it

Ford isn’t swapping parts this time. The fix for 25V-315 is a reprogrammed APIM software patch. It’s free. But how it gets to your car depends on whether you’re eligible for Over-the-Air (OTA) updates or stuck booking a dealership slot.

OTA if you’re lucky, dealer if you’re not

If your vehicle’s hooked into FordPass Connect, Ford says the update can be pushed wirelessly, no visit required. That’s the ideal scenario: you get a pop-up on your screen, accept the update, and let the car handle the rest.

But many owners are still waiting.

Forums are full of drivers whose vehicles support OTA, but never got the update. Some report being told to “wait a few more weeks.” Others were bounced back to their dealer after nothing showed up. Bottom line: OTA is fast when it works, but it’s not reaching everyone.

If your update doesn’t show up or your car’s not OTA-capable, the only path is dealer service. They’ll connect to the car, flash the APIM, and confirm the update. It’s usually done in under two hours, but wait times vary.

What to expect next and when

Ford’s rolling out the recall in two waves:

1. First notice: Starting June 16, 2025, owners get a heads-up that a safety issue exists.

2. Second notice: Sent out once the fix is fully deployed, expected Q3 2025.

Until then, you’re on your own. If your camera feed lags or fails, assume the software glitch is active, and drive accordingly.

Older Fords hit by hardware faults, not just a software story

The SYNC 4 glitch isn’t the only issue on Ford’s plate. In April 2025, two separate hardware recalls dropped, covering nearly 290,000 vehicles. These weren’t caused by code; they were caused by bad physical parts. And they hit both older trucks and newer SUVs.

2015 Super Duty and Lincoln SUVs: Internal corrosion shuts down the view

If you own a 2015 F-Super Duty, Expedition, Navigator, or MKC, check your mailbox. Ford’s recall 25V-270 / 25S42 affects 160,729 vehicles, all flagged for faulty rearview camera modules.

The cause? Fretting corrosion inside the camera’s internal connector. Over time, the contact points lose conductivity. That leads to a flickering, distorted, or totally blank screen, right when you’re backing up.

Ford’s fix is direct: swap out the entire camera unit with a redesigned version. Dealers began mailing notices around May 5–6, 2025. Repairs are free, but based on similar campaigns, some owners may face parts delays if demand outpaces supply.

This isn’t the first time Ford’s seen this defect. It expands a 2022 recall (22V-082), which didn’t catch the full batch. That means the original root cause, likely a supplier-side design flaw, was more widespread than Ford first admitted.

2022–2023 Bronco and 360° camera vehicles: Loose guts, blue screens

Then there’s 25V-273 / 23S48, targeting 128,889 newer Broncos, plus other 360° camera-equipped models like the Aviator, Navigator, and Transit (from 2018 to 2023).

This time, the issue is a loose circuit board connector inside Magna’s “Zurich” camera modules. Depending on the fault, the rearview image can go full blue, flicker, or drop out mid-use. Owners describe sudden blackouts when shifting to Reverse or using low-speed surround views.

Again, the fix is a full camera replacement. But here’s the rub: parts for 2022–2023 Broncos won’t be widely available until Q4 2025. Ford’s mailing notices in staggered batches, prioritized by model year. That leaves some owners in limbo.

Until then, Ford’s advice is old school: use your mirrors and watch your shoulders.

A $165 million wake-up call: Ford’s history with camera failures

Ford’s latest wave of rearview camera recalls didn’t come out of nowhere. Back in 2020, they got nailed for dragging their feet, and it cost them one of the biggest safety fines in U.S. automotive history.

The 2020 recall that started it all

It began with recall 20V-575 / 20C19, targeting nearly 620,000 vehicles from the 2019–2020 model years. The list read like a Ford showroom: F-Series, Expedition, Explorer, Mustang, Escape, Transit, Ranger, Edge, Lincoln Corsair, and Nautilus.

The flaw? During assembly, the camera’s internal terminals could shift or deform. That tiny defect was enough to intermittently kill the rearview feed.

Ford took too long to respond. NHTSA flagged the delay, and in November 2024, hit them with a $165 million civil penalty, the second-largest recall fine ever issued. Along with the check, Ford had to sign a consent order committing to deep changes.

What the consent order forced Ford to do

Under the agreement, Ford must now:

• Build a real-time safety analytics platform to track defect patterns faster.

• Improve data-sharing with NHTSA.

• Speed up its internal recall decision process.

• Invest in a dedicated camera/imaging test lab.

• Implement full VIN traceability for every critical component.

This wasn’t just about one bad batch of parts. It was about a pattern, years of late action, piecemeal fixes, and half-solved problems. Ford’s newer recalls (25V-270, 25V-273, 25V-315) show they’re still playing catch-up.

So far, regulators are watching closely, and Ford knows it’s under the microscope.

What owners need to do now, before the screen goes dark

Whether you’re driving a 2015 Super Duty or a 2024 F-150, the next steps are the same: check your recall status, get on the repair schedule, and stay sharp until it’s fixed.

Step 1 – Check if your vehicle’s on the list

Grab your 17-digit VIN and run it through:

• NHTSA.gov/Recalls – shows all open recalls from the last 15 years.

• Ford Recall Lookup – works the same, plus Ford-specific info.

• FordPass® app – if your car’s registered, you’ll see a “recall” tile if there’s an active campaign.

Ford has mailed letters for the 2015 recall (25V-270) and the SYNC 4 campaign (25V-315) notices started June 16, 2025. But don’t wait on the mail; owners of affected Broncos may not get letters until Q4 2025 due to parts delays.

Step 2 – Book the repair (or watch for OTA)

• If you’ve got SYNC 4 and OTA capability: make sure FordPass Connect is activated and your car’s online. You’ll get a prompt when the update’s available. If nothing shows, contact a dealer.

• If OTA isn’t available or you’d rather not wait: schedule a service appointment. Dealers can flash the update in 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on queue and tech availability.

• 2015 camera replacements: dealer only. Parts are stocked, and repairs are free.

• 2022–2023 Bronco camera replacements: dealers are mailing notices in waves once parts arrive. Some owners won’t be eligible for service until late 2025.

Some Ford dealers offer mobile service for hardware recalls. Call and ask, especially if you’re far from a service center or have a tight schedule.

Step 3 – Drive like the camera’s not there

Until the fix is in, treat the screen as a bonus, not a guarantee.

• Back up slow.

• Use mirrors and look over your shoulder every time.

• Watch for pedestrians and small objects the camera might miss, or fail to show at all.

• Don’t assume a blank screen is just a “one-off.” That’s the warning.

Step 4 – Get reimbursed if you’ve already paid for a repair

Ford will cover out-of-pocket expenses if you previously fixed a defect now covered by a recall. To file a claim:

• Submit original receipts and proof of payment.

• Use Ford’s Recall Reimbursement Portal or the mailing address in your official recall letter.

Note: getting reimbursed doesn’t close the recall. You still need the official fix logged in Ford’s system.

Every major Ford rearview camera recall stacked side by side

Here’s a full breakdown of the six most significant Ford rear camera recalls since 2020. From software crashes to physical connector faults, each one tells a different story, but they all lead to the same outcome: a blind spot where your camera feed should be.

If your model or year shows up here, odds are good your rear camera isn’t reliable, whether you’ve noticed symptoms or not. Fixes are free, but the longer you wait, the more crowded the dealership backlog becomes.

What you should do next, before this affects your safety or resale

Rearview cameras aren’t just tech extras; they’re federally required safety systems. And if you’re driving a Ford built in the last 10 years, there’s a decent shot yours could fail without warning. Whether it’s a software crash or a corroded connector, here’s what to do right now:

1. Run your VIN.

Use NHTSA.gov/Recalls, Ford’s Recall Lookup, or the FordPass app. Don’t assume you’re clear just because you haven’t seen problems yet.

2. If you’re eligible for OTA, don’t wait.

SYNC 4 fixes can roll out wirelessly, but some never arrive on time. If your screen isn’t updating, call the dealer.

3. Get hardware recalls done ASAP.

For 2015 trucks or newer Broncos with physical camera faults, book the repair as soon as you get your notice. Don’t ignore it just because the screen “still works sometimes.”

4. Until it’s fixed, drive like there’s no camera at all.

Mirror checks, shoulder turns, slower reversing all of it matters when your screen might black out at the worst time.

5. File for reimbursement if you already paid out of pocket.

Ford covers past repairs that match recall criteria. Keep your receipts and use the official reimbursement portal listed in the letter.

6. Know this: NHTSA is watching Ford closely.

The $165 million fine wasn’t just a slap; it was a mandate. Ford now has strict marching orders to fix these issues faster and prevent future failures.

7. Stay proactive with updates and service records.

Keeping your infotainment system up to date and logging recall repairs boosts safety and resale value. Buyers check VINs, and open recalls can tank offers fast.

Adam Faris

Adam Faris is the founder and lead editor at Recall Brief, where he covers confirmed recalls, service bulletins, and widespread vehicle issues that often slip past official channels. He focuses on clear, fact-based reporting and breaks down complex problems into plain language so readers know what matters and what to do next.