Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling more than 66,000 2024-2027 model-year Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid and 2025-2027 Explorer Hybrid vehicles. A software error may prevent the vehicle from making the pedestrian warning sound at certain speeds.* The Phoenix Audio System supplied by Harmon International has a software error in the Digital Signal Processing Module This is an expansion of NHTSA Recall 25V691. Any vehicles previously repaired under 25V691 must have the new remedy completed.
“Dealers will replace the digital signal processing module in Nautilus Hybrid vehicles equipped with 28 speakers, free of charge. The remedy is currently under development for all other Nautilus and Explorer Hybrid vehicles affected by this recall,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the morning.
Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 25SA2 or the older recall 26S51 or NHTSA Recall 26V415. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning tomorrow 7 July 2026.
Chronology
- On February 19, 2026, an issue pertaining to loss of Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) (also referred to as Pedestrian Alert System (PAS) function on vehicles that had previously received the remedy for Ford’s Safety Recall 25SA2 was brought to Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group for review. Safety Recall 25SA2 addressed the loss of PAS functionality due to a software-related defect within the Digital Signal Processor (DSP) or the Audio Control Module (ACM) of certain hybrid electric vehicles.
- The remedy for 25SA2 was a software update that Ford made available through dealer service on October 29, 2025.
- On 26 February 2026, CCRG requested a pause in the deployment of this service remedy due to post-recall complaints for the loss of PAS functionality. In these complaints, many drivers reported observing a message on the Instrument Panel Cluster stating “Pedestrian Sounder Fault. Service Now.“
- In March and April 2026, CCRG analyzed warranty claims and began its technical investigation. First, CCRG binned the post-recall complaints against the different audio architectures. In total, for the HEVs, there are three different audio systems: the base audio system, the 12-channel DSP system, and the 24-channel DSP system. The team identified a potential software issue within the 24-channel DSP system on Nautilus HEV vehicles that can cause a loss of PAS function. However, this causal factor accounted for a portion of the warranty claims associated with this topic and did not fully explain why there was a loss of PAS functionality after receiving the 25SA2 remedy. CCRG continued its investigation.
- In May and June 2026, CCRG identified an additional concern that appears to affect all audio systems on the Nautilus HEV and Explorer HEV vehicle variants and leads to intermittent loss of PAS function.
- While the precise cause of this condition remains under investigation, CCRG believes that the condition appears to be related to vehicles detecting a loss of communication between the Audio Control Module(ACM) and the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM). When this occurs, two specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) are recorded. Based on a review of connected vehicle data and customer interviews, CCRG believes drivers may randomly lose PAS function for a key cycle. It is not known at this time if the loss of PAS function is due to a communication loss occurring between the ACM and the APIM or if there is an error in the detection and response strategy that results in DTCs and subsequent loss of PAS function.
- On 23 June 2026, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concerns and approved a field action.
- As of May 1, 2026, Ford is aware of 65 warranty claims on model year 2024–2026 Nautilus HEV vehicles and 7 warranty claims on model year 2025–2026 Explorer HEV vehicles alleging post-25SA2PAS issues. Ford is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition.
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About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Ford and Lincoln Recalls For Bad Pedestrian Backup Warnings
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling more than 66,000 2024-2027 model-year Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid and 2025-2027 Explorer Hybrid vehicles. A software error may prevent the vehicle from making the pedestrian warning sound at certain speeds.* The Phoenix Audio System supplied by Harmon International has a software error in the Digital Signal Processing Module This is an expansion of NHTSA Recall 25V691. Any vehicles previously repaired under 25V691 must have the new remedy completed.
“Dealers will replace the digital signal processing module in Nautilus Hybrid vehicles equipped with 28 speakers, free of charge. The remedy is currently under development for all other Nautilus and Explorer Hybrid vehicles affected by this recall,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the morning.
Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 25SA2 or the older recall 26S51 or NHTSA Recall 26V415. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning tomorrow 7 July 2026.
Chronology
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.