Ford Motor Company (NYSE: Ford) is recalling ~849,310 model-year 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and model year 2021-2024 Ford Edge SUVs. The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rear-view camera image from displaying as intended.
“On affected vehicles, the APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module) may experience a temporary thermal shutdown condition for up to five minutes. When the APIM shutdown occurs, customers lose the ability to display the Rear View Camera (RVC) image while in reverse gear,” Ford said in the required safety defect filing documents made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning.
“Under some operating conditions, the APIM is reaching temperatures of 105° C and subsequently initiating a temporary thermal shutdown to protect its electronic components. In these cases, the APIM cannot cool itself sufficiently due to sustained, high ambient cabin temperatures, which are a result of a stack-up of certain, specific vehicle and hardware configurations,” Ford said.
The APIM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge as required by U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 30 March 30 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 26S09. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall are searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Chronology
- On 13 November 2025, Ford’s Electronics Platforms engineering team informed Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG is an internal team responsible for identifying and investigating potential safety issues, leading to recall actions – AutoCrat.) of Connected Vehicle data identifying an elevated rate of APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module) temporary thermal shutdowns on certain 2021–2024 model year Ford Edge vehicles. When one of these vehicles experiences a temporary thermal shutdown, the center touchscreen features, including rearview camera functionality, are unavailable for up to five minutes while the APIM cools down.
- Starting in November and continuing through January 2026, a cross-functional engineering task-force performed a read across analysis of connected vehicle data. Informed by this data, the team conducted CAE modeling, component design and packaging reviews, customer outreach to Management Lease Vehicle (MLV) drivers who had experienced the condition, and vehicle testing both on-road and within thermal environmental chambers.
- As a result of these efforts, Ford engineering confirmed that 2021- 2024 Ford Edge and certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco vehicles were uniquely susceptible to experiencing this condition. CCRG’s investigation learned that a primary causal factor relates to the increased thermal load placed on the APIM module in these vehicles due to proximity to HVAC ducts and the audio head unit. Vehicle testing and CAE analysis confirms the susceptibility of these vehicles to experience a temporary thermal shutdown condition. “Further, the software strategy on these vehicles could have been more direct and robust to provide customer notifications and mitigation actions.”
- During November 2025 to January 2026, Ford met with NHTSA and discussed this topic (Ford is operating under a consent decree from NHTSA because of its previous handling or mishandling of recalls – AutoCrat.)
- As of 17 February 2026, Ford is not aware of any warranty claims or VOQs [NHTSA’s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire, which tracks consumer complaints about safety defects or issues- AutoCrat.] attributable to the APIM temporary thermal shutdown.
- On 24 February 2026, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action. Ford is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition.
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 Recalls 850,000 Bronco, Edge SUV Rear View Cameras
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: Ford) is recalling ~849,310 model-year 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and model year 2021-2024 Ford Edge SUVs. The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rear-view camera image from displaying as intended.
“On affected vehicles, the APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module) may experience a temporary thermal shutdown condition for up to five minutes. When the APIM shutdown occurs, customers lose the ability to display the Rear View Camera (RVC) image while in reverse gear,” Ford said in the required safety defect filing documents made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning.
“Under some operating conditions, the APIM is reaching temperatures of 105° C and subsequently initiating a temporary thermal shutdown to protect its electronic components. In these cases, the APIM cannot cool itself sufficiently due to sustained, high ambient cabin temperatures, which are a result of a stack-up of certain, specific vehicle and hardware configurations,” Ford said.
The APIM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge as required by U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 30 March 30 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 26S09. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall are searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Chronology
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.