Dive Brief:
- Ford Motor Co. has recalled nearly 161,000 pickups and SUVs for an electrical issue involving the backup camera that may result in a black screen or distorted image when shifting into reverse, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- The problem is due to a faulty rearview camera printed circuit board connector used in model year 2015 F-250, 350 and 450 Super Duty pickups, Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator and MKC vehicles.
- Dealers will replace the defective cameras for free. Owner notification letters were expected to be mailed May 5.
Dive Insight:
Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group launched an investigation of the problem on Feb. 6, after the NHTSA notified the company it had received numerous complaints about defective rearview cameras from Mustang owners.
Over 330,000 Mustangs were recalled in February 2022 over these concerns after the original backup camera design was removed from production on Feb. 6, 2015.
However, the automaker’s subsequent investigation identified other models using similar or identical camera hardware as the Mustang. Ford reviewed customer complaints and identified warranty claims for 2015 Super Duty pickups and other models produced from late 2014 through early 2015.
The automaker was able to trace camera production to each vehicle it’s installed in, according to the NHTSA. Ford sourced the camera from Auburn Hills, Michigan-based tier 1 supplier Magna.
According to the NHTSA report, Ford’s CCRG noted damage to Magna’s solder reflow oven used in production for the uptick in camera warranty claims. Its investigators also cited an unauthorized production change of the camera’s printed circuit board by an unnamed sub-supplier that could lead to twisting and poor pin alignment at it’s connector, per the recall report.
Ford investigators also met with the NHTSA several times this year to review data from the probe it launched in February, leading the automaker to approve the recall on April 16.
Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the defect. It estimates 4% of the recalled vehicles may have the faulty backup camera hardware.
The recall is Ford’s 46th since Jan 1, according to the NHTSA, which potentially extends to over 1.5 million vehicles. In April, the automaker recalled up to 123,611 pickup and SUV models for brake fluid leaks, which included the 2017-2018 F-150 and Expedition.
In March, the NHTSA launched a preliminary evaluation of nearly 1.3 million, 2015-2017 Ford F-150 pickups equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions after the agency received 138 customer complaints alleging unexpected downshifts at highway speeds. The investigation will determine the scope and severity of the potential safety issue involving Ford’s best-selling truck model.
