Ford to spend $270 million to fix rearview camera defect

WASHINGTON — Ford Motor Co. said it will spend about $270 million to fix an issue with rearview cameras that has plagued several models, according to a document filed Friday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The affected vehicles are the 2020-23 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator, 2020-22 Lincoln Corsair, 2022-23 Ford Transit, 2018-21 Lincoln Navigator and 2021 Ford Bronco.

More than 422,000 Explorer, Aviator and Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera were recalled in May for an issue with the rearview cameras that caused blue or black screens when the vehicles were in reverse or when the 360-degree view was selected.

Ford in April also issued a stop-ship for those three vehicle models as the automaker continued to investigate a root cause of the defect, according to a report submitted May 12 to NHTSA.

Ford later determined that camera hardware contributed to the blue or black screens experienced by customers.

In the SEC filing, Ford announced a field service action to replace the rearview camera and update the software on the affected vehicles.

As part of that action, Ford also is recalling 2020-23 Lincoln Aviator, 2018-21 Lincoln Navigator, 2022-23 Ford Transit and 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles.

The recall affects more than 169,000 vehicles in the U.S.

The rearview camera — or 360-degree view camera, if equipped — on those vehicles might intermittently display a blue image or a full blue or black image when the vehicle is in reverse or when the 360-degree view is selected, according to a recall report submitted Aug. 25 to NHTSA.

Ford told the agency that from April 24, 2018, through Aug. 3, 2023, there have been 3,486 warranty reports alleging the issue. There have been two allegations of minor crashes because of the loss of the rearview image, the automaker said.

Ford said it was not aware of any injuries related to the issue.

Magna Electronics, a division of Canadian parts maker Magna International Inc., is the component supplier, a Ford spokesperson confirmed.

To fix the issue, dealers will replace the rearview camera and update the software and wiring as necessary.

Dealers and vehicle owners will be notified starting Oct. 2.

So far this year, Ford has issued 42 recalls — the most of any automaker — affecting more than 4.6 million vehicles, according to NHTSA data.