2020 Ford Explorer: screen or infotainment failure

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · WA

My 2020 Ford Explorer previously received a safety recall repair under Ford Recall 23S23 for the 360-degree/rearview camera system. Unfortunately, the camera system is malfunctioning again following that repair. The 360-degree display intermittently shows solid blue/teal or black areas instead of properly displaying the vehicle’s surroundings. The camera images also become washed out, distorted, or unusually dark, reducing visibility when reversing. Additionally, my instrument cluster displays the warning “Reverse Brake Assist Not Available – See Manual.” These problems raise serious safety concerns because the vehicle’s camera visibility is compromised while another safety system reports that it is unavailable. This creates potential risks when backing near children, pedestrians, other vehicles, or obstacles. I have photographs documenting the camera malfunctions and dashboard warning. Ford subsequently issued Recall 25S27 after discovering that certain vehicles previously repaired under Recall 23S23 may not have received the correct remedy, even though the repairs were recorded as completed. I have not yet received confirmation whether Recall 25S27 applies to my specific vehicle. On October 8, 2026, I visited Mullinax Ford of Olympia regarding the recurring safety problems. The dealership advised that I would have to pay out of pocket for a diagnosis. I subsequently submitted a written request asking for the recurring defect and applicable recall coverage to be reviewed, but received no response. I escalated the matter to the dealership’s General Manager on October 19, 2026. The underlying cause has not been determined. I am concerned that the original camera safety defect may not have been adequately corrected and that the vehicle continues to experience a related safety risk. I request that the federal safety agency review these recurring malfunctions and the adequacy of the previous recall remedy.

Filed Mar 17, 2026 · WV

Rear view camera 360 camera when backing up is going to a blue or black screen. When it’s not going black or blue the image is very grainy and hard to see image while backing up.

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Electrical · NY

I have a leaking antenna (likely the "shark fin" or roof antenna base) on my 2020 Ford Explorer. This has caused significant electrical issues, leading to safety concerns like malfunctioning lights, infotainment, or even stalling, the water shorting wiring harnesses or modules located in the roof or headliner area. This should be a recall, but rather it is a known problem where water intrusion damages sensitive electronics, necessitating immediate professional inspection and repair to prevent further damage and ensure safety, as electrical failures can be dangerous. My GPS and satellite do not work because of this and I am being charged significantly by the dealership because I have to repair this or the damage will become more severe. The antenna's base seal can fail, allowing water to seep into the roof, drip down the pillars, and saturate the headliner and wiring harnesses. Common Symptoms: Interior lights, instrument cluster, or dashboard warnings. SYNC system freezing or failing. Windows, locks, or other accessories malfunctioning. Even potential water on the front passenger floor. Safety Risks: Loss of Control!!!!!!! Malfunctioning lights (headlights, brake lights) or sudden power loss can create dangerous driving conditions. Reduced Visibility: Issues with the infotainment screen or instrument cluster can distract the driver. System Failures: Critical safety systems, if affected by water, could fail unexpectedly. I barely get car washes or anything. This is certainly a manufacturers issue & poor design or cheap casing/ seals that leak and corrode too easily. This problem is a known weakness for the 2020 Explorer, often requiring a thorough inspection beyond just the antenna itself, as water can travel far from the entry point. And sure enough I have plenty of damage that I should not have to pay for. This is not a fluke, there are forums all across the internet about this. Please help! This is truly unfair to the customers.

Filed Mar 11, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · MO

The backup camera sometimes does not come on. The Bluetooth connection does not work. The dash screen which displays the camera view, radio, clock, etc will sometimes remain black while the car is on. Other times, the screen will not turn off when the car is off, even after opening the driver's door, causing the battery to drain faster.

Filed Feb 19, 2024 · Driver assistance, Transmission · CT · crash

I have had the blue screen sensors replaced 3 times. This has been a recall. Now my front camera is having an error code. Yeh blue screen came on while backing up and I hit a rock. They say it has been fixed but now it is still occurring with the radio freezing and the front camera producing an error. The dealer says there’s no current fix and they have an unable to reproduce it when it is at the dealership because it happens intermittently. I have had the driveshaft replaced and the transmission I am unable to trade this car and due to the multiple safety issues and transmission issues, this car has such a long repair history that it is priced up below market value. I am afraid that I am going to have another accident or something is going to freeze up at an in opportune moment and causes collision as it did before.

Filed Oct 4, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · MI

Intermittent non-functional backup camera and brake assist after ford dealer applied a fix for backup camera failure. Backup camera blue/black screen error was not present before dealer applied “fix”

Filed Sep 25, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · ME

Back up camera stays on after selecting Drive and moving forward, it will either stay on showing what’s happening behind me or will stay on for 20-40 seconds than go to a blue screen or blue than black screen and stay in that screen. While this is happening I have no control over the display, sound, radio or heat. There has been time the back up camera has stayed on while in park. I have several pictures and videos of these incidents. In the incidents I was able to reboot my display it would be unresponsive and not update time these issues only happened when the back up camera would not properly shut off

Filed Sep 1, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · PA

Summer 2023 OTA update to Ford Sync caused Sync system to malfunction. As a result touch screen controls are a black screen. No radio , no rear climate control, no backup camera , no 911 crash assist, no voice activated features, no forward collision warning system. Waiting for service appointment at local ford dealer.

Filed Aug 25, 2023 · Driver assistance · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the camera became inoperable with the display screen going black. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Aug 1, 2023 · Driver assistance · WA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the back over prevention camera displayed a black screen. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the back over prevention camera needed to be replaced; however, the parts were not available. The contact stated that she had received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact later received a notification that referenced a temporary fix; however, when the vehicle was taken to the dealer, the contact was informed that there was no temporary fix available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jul 8, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · TN

I have had the previous recall for my rear camera/display screen repaired in 08/2022. However, recently I have had my display screen start to glitch and turn off intermittently. Sometimes this happens while I am driving. Other times is happens while I am in reverse and the reverse camera does not work. When the reverse camera is not functioning there is concern for unseen dangers. I have videos of this but I cannot upload them into the form.

Filed Jun 27, 2023 · OH

Ford issued safety recall 23S02 (the federal safety agency 23V022). in February 2023. We returned our vehicle to the dealer to have them repair and fix according to the recall. The backup camera was not working and the screen was blue. After having our vehicle for 3 days, they told us that the software was updated and we were good to go. Unfortunately, this problem still exists. In fact, on our vehicle the screen works sometimes, and sometimes is does not. We still get the blue screen when backing up. We also get a blank screen while driving. The radio always turns on to a different selection (am,fm, satellite etc). I don't think FORD has repaired this vehicle correctly and needs another recall. Our dealer says Ford is working on a fix, but that it has not been mandated from the federal safety agency.