WASHINGTON, March 6, 2026, 07:15 EST
- Ford is recalling 1.74 million U.S. vehicles after NHTSA flagged a rearview camera defect.
- The action covers certain Bronco and Edge models; a separate issue can flip or invert images on other vehicles.
- The move follows another Ford recall a day earlier tied to wiper-motor failures.
Ford Motor is recalling 1.74 million vehicles in the United States after a rearview camera defect could stop images from displaying, cutting a driver’s view behind the vehicle, the U.S. auto safety regulator said on Friday. The recall covers certain Ford Bronco and Ford Edge models, and NHTSA also cited a separate issue that can flip or invert the rearview image on the center display in other vehicles, including the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair. 1
The timing matters because rear visibility systems are not optional add-ons anymore in the U.S. A federal rule requires rear visibility technology on new light vehicles built from May 1, 2018, aimed at reducing “backover” deaths and injuries, especially among children and older adults. 2
It also lands on top of an enforcement backdrop that has gotten sharper for Ford on camera-related issues. In a 2024 consent order tied to defective rearview cameras, NHTSA said “timely and accurate recalls are critical” and laid out compliance obligations alongside a $165 million civil penalty. 3
In Friday’s action, the regulator said the problem in Bronco and Edge vehicles centers on the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) overheating and shutting down, which can knock out the rearview camera image. That module is part of the vehicle’s display system, and when it goes dark the driver loses a key aid when backing up.
A day earlier, NHTSA said Ford would recall 604,533 vehicles over windshield wiper motors that may fail, and separately flagged another Ford recall covering 11,431 vehicles over a driveshaft weld issue that could lead to a sudden loss of drive power. 4
The back-to-back notices add up to a familiar headache for automakers: electronics and software are now tied directly to safety equipment. A camera that goes blank or shows a flipped image can be more than an annoyance; it changes what a driver thinks is behind the car.
Ford shares were down $0.47 at $12.34 in U.S. premarket trading. General Motors shares were down $2.41 at $76.20, while Tesla was down $0.34 at $405.55.
One uncertainty is how quickly repairs roll out and whether the population grows. NHTSA’s statement did not spell out a fix on the camera issue, and recalls sometimes widen as more field reports come in.
Ford, based in Dearborn, Michigan, has leaned on Bronco’s nameplate strength and SUV demand in North America. The Edge is an older but still sizable part of its U.S. mix, which makes any high-volume service action harder to shrug off.
For drivers, the practical takeaway is simple: check whether your vehicle is covered, and expect dealer instructions or mailed notices that map out next steps. For Ford, it is another test of whether it can get ahead of defects — and stay out of regulators’ line of fire.
