2021 Ford Explorer: backup camera failure

Filed Oct 3, 2026 · Electrical · TN

Within a month of Purchasing the Vehicle, around end of June, the image on the back up camera would flip upside down when trying to reverse. This only happens occasionally but the times that it has happened I have backed into a ditch and ran over a child's bicycle. There has been no damage to my vehicle as of yet. Because this does not happen regularly the dealership has not been able to look at it and diagnosis it. They tell me to bring it when it is doing it but that is impossible unless I drive in reverse the entire way to them.

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · MD · 1 injury

I previously reported my rear view camera not working despite ford having many recalls for that problem. Now my shade for my sunroof when opened drops into my car & blocks my view from my rear view mirror. So now I have no camera view or physical view of what's behind me. I also have the same peeling metal on my buttons on my driver's door. The same one that was recalled on 2020 model. I cut my arm on it yesterday

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MI

I am reporting a safety concern involving a delayed transmission gear engagement and delayed rearview camera activation. Intermittently, when shifting the vehicle from Park into Reverse or Drive, there is a noticeable delay before the transmission actually engages the selected gear. During this delay, the rearview camera also fails to activate immediately. Because there is no immediate indication that the requested gear has engaged, I have experienced situations where I believed the vehicle was in Reverse or Drive, but it remained in the previous state for several seconds. In some instances, the transmission engages unexpectedly after the delay, causing the vehicle to move in a direction different from what I anticipated. For example, after selecting Reverse, the vehicle may hesitate before moving, or after changing between Reverse and Drive, the delayed engagement can result in the vehicle moving in the previously engaged direction before finally shifting into the selected gear. This creates a significant safety hazard, particularly when parking, backing out of driveways, or maneuvering in areas with pedestrians or other vehicles. The delayed rearview camera activation further increases the risk because it prevents the driver from immediately seeing behind the vehicle while attempting to reverse. The issue occurs intermittently and without warning, making it difficult to predict. I am concerned that this condition could lead to a crash, property damage, or injury if the vehicle moves unexpectedly due to the delayed gear engagement. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this issue to determine whether it is related to a transmission, electronic shift control, or software defect affecting the safe operation of the vehicle.

Filed Oct 12, 2025 · Lights · VA

Led light issue. Passenger side low beam. Lifetime of LED should be 45,000 hours or 12-15 years. It is not working. Ford needs to generate a repair also current warrantee work needs to be completed including the rear camera.

Filed Aug 14, 2025 · Driver assistance, Seats · 90,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was blank. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 25V159000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V393000 (Seats). The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Jul 2, 2025 · TX

Backup camera has failed again aftyer being programmed twice and replaced once under recall's. But now it's out completely. It has worked off and on since new.

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Driver assistance · 36,000 miles · DE

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon shifting into reverse, the rearview camera failed to display an image. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.

Filed Sep 28, 2024 · Electrical · GA

Been dealing with this backup camera blue screen for the last year. I pay too much money for this not to be working. Someone came out yesterday to fix it but it’s still doing the same thing.

Filed Jan 31, 2024 · Driver assistance · MI

My complaint relates to: Manufacturer Recall Number: 23S23 the federal safety agency Recall Number: 23V342 INTERMITTENT EXPERIENCE OF A REAR CAMERA BLUE ON THE SYNC SCREEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN REVERSE and notification that rear parking assistant is disabled. Per January 2024 I received a notification that a remedy is available (replacement of rear camera and software update of SYNC). The dealership was not able to perform the remedy as they told me that the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) showed error codes and could not be updated. I was told to replace the APIM on my own expenses of ~$1,800. I am not willing to pay for a hardware replacement as I strongly believe that the APIM was defected by two prior updates: 1. prior effort of Ford to solve blue screen issue via software update and 2. a subsequent botched Over-The-Air update to version 22251 which is know to having bugs and causing APIM issues according to various Internet forums: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] So I have a security relevant recall that won't be fixed unless I pay. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 28, 2023 · Driver assistance · 28,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was blue. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown software update was performed; however, the failure persisted. The contact later 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. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Oct 16, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · GA

I do realize there is a Recall for Back-up camera; which I've had issues with since early part of 2022 (we bought vehicle in April 2021). March of 2022 we had our suv to dealership about screen turning blue; which they supposedly did some deprogramming. Then, in July of 2022 had it back to dealership because the blue screen became worse; in which they said they replaced the whole system ( I have receipts/documents to prove this). Well, now when in Reverse we have blue screen or black. Occasionally when in drive while driving or sitting idling the screen either is blue, black or completely freezes to where none of options such as Navigation, hands-free calling, or anything can be done/used. I have video footages, I have pictures and the matter is only getting worse! I have called Ford Corporation, I have taken the suv recently to local dealership and just keep being told that all that is connected to back-up camera; THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO!! The Ford Explorer has had many electrical issues ranging from 3rd row seat (have receipt/documentation of this), to at times air/heat not wanting to work. Plus, it has had oil leak coming from front CV axle (have receipt/documentation of this). Anymore the local Ford dealership gives me the run around about repairs it seems to keep me coming back to pay for diagnostic repairs. Ford Corporation when I call them puts me on several holds while they "supposedly" call local dealership about the issues (Ford Corp acting like they don't know nothing). In addition I ve found out that all Services, repairs aren't being reported as required by law to do. I tried to upload my videos/media of the suv but it wouldn't upload to this website. If there is a specific email I could send the videos/media footage, the receipts/documents I'd do it immediately!! So, "please" let me know if there is an email!!

Filed Aug 19, 2023 · TN

Due to a Sync system update the display has been unresponsive, thrown errors, shut off during driving, and been delayed during operation. Most noticeably during reverse. There is a significant delay when the reverse camera is supposed to turn on causing a potential safety hazard. Ford has not responded to the issue in a timely manner and hasn’t given an ETA on when the firmware will be updated.