Ford Motor Company has recalled 254,640 Lincoln and Ford Explorer vehicles due to a software defect that can cause the rearview camera and multiple advanced driver assistance features to suddenly stop working while on the road. The recall was announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on March 24, 2026, and covers vehicles across four models spanning the 2022 through 2025 model years. No injuries have been reported. Ford will issue a free software fix, either over the air or through a dealer visit.
What’s Being Recalled?
Four vehicle models are included in this recall under NHTSA recall number 26V165:
2022–2025 Lincoln Navigator SUVs.
2024–2025 Lincoln Nautilus SUVs.
2025 Lincoln Aviator SUVs.
2025 Ford Explorer SUVs.
Owners can verify whether their specific vehicle is included by entering their VIN at nhtsa.gov. Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed March 30, 2026.
Why Was This Product Recalled?
The image processing software in affected vehicles can unexpectedly reset, causing an immediate loss of the rearview camera image and disabling multiple advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features at once — including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Losing these safety systems simultaneously reduces a driver’s ability to detect hazards and significantly increases the risk of a crash. Drivers may be tipped off to the problem by warning messages appearing on the vehicle’s display panel, such as “Front Camera Fault,” “Pre-Collision Assist Not Available,” or “Lane-Keeping System Off.” Blind-spot warning indicators may also unexpectedly illuminate. The defect makes affected vehicles noncompliant with federal rear visibility safety standards. Ford has issued this recall voluntarily with the knowledge of NHTSA.
What Should You Do?
Check whether your vehicle is affected by entering your VIN at nhtsa.gov or at ford.com. Ford is offering two remedy options free of charge: an over-the-air (OTA) software update that can be delivered remotely to eligible vehicles, or a software update performed at a Ford dealer for vehicles requiring an in-person visit. Watch for your owner notification letter, which Ford will begin mailing March 30, 2026. If you experience any of the warning messages described above before receiving your notice, contact your nearest Ford or Lincoln dealer to schedule service. For questions, call Ford customer service at 866-436-7332 and reference recall number 26V165.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ford-recall-lincoln-explorer-rearview-camera-software-issue/
