Ford issues largest U.S. recall for rearview camera defect

Ford Motor has announced its biggest U.S. recall in recent years, covering 1,448,655 vehicles. The issue stems from a potential rearview camera defect that can distort the image or make it disappear entirely when reverse gear is engaged.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem is linked to a power loss or a software fault in the camera module, which can cause the image on the center display to drop out temporarily. That raises the risk of incidents during parking and low-speed maneuvers, especially after dark.

The recall includes models such as the Ford Explorer, Escape, Mustang, Fiesta, Flex, and several premium Lincoln variants. Owners will receive notices with instructions for scheduling service, where dealers will diagnose the issue and replace faulty modules at no cost.

Ford says there have been no crashes tied to this defect and that the campaign is being carried out as a precaution. The scope of the action underscores how central electronics have become: even a brief software hiccup can prompt a sweeping recall. It’s not the flashiest kind of fault, but when a backup camera serves as an extra set of eyes, any flicker quickly turns from annoyance into a safety concern.