2018 Ford Explorer: backup camera failure

Filed Mar 6, 2026 · KY

My 2018 Ford Explorer continues to have issues with the rear back up camera. It makes it difficult to see while backing, especially at night. I have noticed recalls concerning this very problem on Ford Explorers with a recall on this very issue beginning with 2020 models. My vehicle is experiencing the sale malfunction. We called Ford a couple of times about the issue, and their response was, summarized, “Sorry, it is not under the recall and there is nothing for us (Ford) to do.” I feel sure that I am not the only pre-2020 ford explorer owner to have this wide spread problem. It should be included in the recall. Thank you.

Filed Feb 22, 2026 · Electrical · ID

Entertainment system control. Power draws down and kills battery. Display locks into reverse camera, and I can't access any controls for extended periods of time. Display just locks, and I can't adjust anything in it. This seems to be a known issue for all Sync 3 based backends.

Filed Dec 27, 2025 · FL

The displayed view by the back up camera flickers, or shows a blue screen when the car is placed in reverse. This places the safety of pedestrians at risk of being hit by the vehicle when backing up. This places the safety of other drivers and myself at risk of collision when backing up. The component (back up camera) was inspected by a Ford dealer (Sunrise Ford in Fort Pierce Fl.). I was charged $199 to run diagnostics on the camera. They found that the camera had an internal fault, vision blurry and suggest replacing camera at a charge of $1145. I was told that the existing recalls do not cover my VIN. I contacted Ford customer care to see if my VIN was covered under the announced 15 year warranty for backup camera replacement. Although 2016 - 2025 Ford explorers was listed as being eligible for replacement, I was told my VIN was not included. Ford customer care opened up case number CXH-06550938-R6D9Q3 to investigate the problem. The problem started about 6 months ago and only happened once in a while then the camera would work as intended. Now the problem occurs 90% of the time the car is placed in reverse.

Filed Dec 17, 2025 · Driver assistance · CA

The reverse camera does not work, when the car is in reverse.there is no visual on the monitor, which makes it unsafe when the car is in reverse, took the car to the dealer, was told that this car is not in recall

Filed Nov 5, 2025 · OK

I believe the APIM has malfunctioned. I have a black screen. No backup camera, no controls for the functions on the screen, no radio and no hands free telephone. The safety of being able to see what is behind me while backing up is gone. The screen started malfunctioning about 8 months ago. It would work sporadically, now it doesn't work at all. I did the soft reset and the hard reset, plus Ford walked me through the update but it never worked.

Filed Oct 22, 2025 · OK

Backup Camera does not work. This has been going on for two years. We have been to the dealer about this situation. There were intermittent messages saying that the camera didn't work, then it completely stopped. This started in 2023. We went to the dealer to find out about what it would cost to have it fixed and found out that all the years around the 2018 had been recalled for this problem. We wanted you to know that the 2018 has the same problem as these other vehicles with the backup camera.

Filed Sep 15, 2025 · PA

Rear view camera not functioning since March 2025

Filed Sep 12, 2025 · FL

My 2018 Ford Explorer Limited has been having issues with the back up camera for longer than 18 months. My local Ford in Margate Florida is aware of the problem. My camera goes blank when I’m backing up it stops working my mirrors on the driver side will not fold out my passenger side door if I touch it when it’s locked will alarm I believe all of this is related to an electrical problem in the camera. This is dangerous and I’m very frustrated. I want my car looked at free of charge by Ford because something‘s going on with the camera and it’s extremely dangerous while I’m backing up to have the camera stop and then for me to reset it I can’t do it while backing up. I have a neck injury that prevents me from looking over my shoulder currently Can somebody please call me my name is [XXX] my phone number is [XXX] or you may email me at [XXX] thank you very much. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 7, 2025 · Driver assistance · 100,265 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that occasionally while shifted into reverse(R), the rearview camera failed to properly display the image behind the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had progressed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,265.

Filed Nov 11, 2024 · Electrical · TN

The APIM (sync module) went blank. It controls backup camera, radio, heat and air, sensors on the bumper etc... Ford said the APIM failed testing and recommended to replace the APIM to gain access to the screen. It would only cost about $1100. This is a safety issue because the sensors will not work.

Filed Aug 19, 2024 · Electrical · PA

The APIM module that controls the display and functioning has stopped working. The following are a couple of safety concerns with this: 1. The backup camera does not work. I almost hit a pedestrian while backing up because of this. 2. Hands free features with communication and gps is not available. Not having this feature takes away a hand from the steering wheel and focus on the road. 3. Some of the climate controls are not accessible. I took the car to a Ford dealer who confirmed that the APIM module is not working. No one else has checked the car. There was a gradual decline in functionality before it completely stopped working. Some trips it would work and others it did not. The frequency of it not working increased until it completely stopped working.

Filed May 26, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · MA

I own a 2018 Ford Explorer there has been an issue when it’s cold out the APIM is not responding and turning on the reverse camera when vehicle is put into reverse. When it is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit the APIM works intermittently. The problem with this is out of the blue when it decides to work at times it turns the radio on with volume at max level This has startled me not knowing it’s going to come on and it won’t let you turn the radio down or power it off. Ford says there is no recall on the issue.