2018 Ford Explorer: screen or infotainment failure

Filed Aug 26, 2026 · Acceleration, Airbags · PA · crash

The contact owned a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a message displayed on several occasions instructing the driver to pull over and shut off the vehicle because the battery would shut off. Upon pulling over and turning off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart and required towing on several occasions. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where a wiring failure was determined. The dealer attempted to repair the vehicle, but the failure persisted. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the infotainment screen turned blank, and a large wrench warning light illuminated. The vehicle independently accelerated, became uncontrollable, and drifted out of the intended lane. The contact regained partial control as the vehicle continued accelerating toward an embankment. The front driver's side wheel was caught in the gutter of the embankment, causing the driver's side of the vehicle to crash into the embankment. The contact's head struck the driver's side window, which was fractured, allowing branches to enter the cabin. The driver's side curtain air bags deployed for the second and third rows but failed to deploy properly for the front driver's side, causing the contact to hit her head a second time on a sail that had deployed. The contact became pinned between the driver's seat and the driver's side window area, with her hair caught and pulled in the seat belt pretensioner, causing significant pain. EMT personnel cut the contact's hair to free the contact from the vehicle. The contact was assisted from the vehicle, fitted with a neck brace, placed on a stretcher, and transported to the hospital. The contact sustained head and neck injuries, as well as a concussion. Additionally, the contact suffered from pre-existing auto-immune lumbar stenosis L1–L5, osteoarthritis L5–S1 with bone-on-bone contact, and sacroiliac joint disease, and experienced increased pain after missing a scheduled appointment for sacroiliac joint injections due to the crash. A Police report was filed but

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 Jun 17, 2025 · Driver assistance · 200 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing, the back-over prevention camera system failed to function as intended. The contact stated the back-over prevention camera seized and displayed a black screen. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed back over prevention camera system. The contact was informed that the back over prevention camera system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer twice due to the persistent failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200. The VIN was unavailable.

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 Oct 4, 2023 · Driver assistance · 90,000 miles · RI

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while in reverse, the back-over prevention screen displayed a black screen preventing the image from being seen. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the APIM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Apr 5, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · ME

The Sync infotainment screen is inoperable and black. My backup camera is no longer operational. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the application programming interface module (APIM) needed to be replaced; however, the part for the repair was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Feb 15, 2023 · Driver assistance · CA

I have a 2018 Ford Explorer. My SYNC 3 is showing a black screen due to a failed APIM. I do not have my rear camera, GPS, or hands-free capability which impedes driving safely. Ford has recalled multiple other years of my vehicle for this same reason, but not the 2018. Ford has also extended it's warranty up to 7 years/100,000 miles on some years of my vehicle, for the same reason, but not the 2018. I am reading that there are numerous other owners who a have the same problem with only an expensive resolution. The Ford dealer confirmed the need to replace the APIM today at a cost of $1,417. This is unacceptable due to the safety factor and that they know this is a problem in their vehicles. I reported it to Ford and their response was my warranty is expired and there is no recall, so I have to pay.

Filed Oct 27, 2021 · Driver assistance · OH

Sync screen completely blacked out. Started after Ford replaces my battery. Back up camera does not work; front and rear sensors do not work; along with all sync related activities (climate control, hands free) It has now progressed to instrument panel starting with the compass. Based on other complaints fear it will move on to other instrument panel devices.

Filed Oct 21, 2021 · Driver assistance · TX

Unable to utilize the technology screen that the backup camera utilizes. Black screen with no power and unable to get visual or audio object warnings. Being informed the APIM is faulty.

Filed Jun 4, 2019 · 300 miles · TN

Rear camera intermittently does not work. When car in reverse, it will either give a picture, give a blurry picture, or black screen that says "no camera".