Ford Recalls Defective Rear-view Cameras on 620,246 Vehicles

Posted on 5 October 2020 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling 620,246 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Because of a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. (Read AutoInformed.com on: Ford Pickup Truck Sales Best Q3 in 15 Years. Cars Dead)

These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, “Rear Visibility.” There is no identification or any Warning to the driver. From February to April 2020, Ford identified and monitored warranty claims pertaining to intermittent or inoperative rearview cameras. Ford reviewed supplier product changes, focusing on changes introduced by the supplier in the October/November 2019 time frame. Magna Electronics made the part in Holly Michigan.

Insufficient electrical conductivity within the printed circuit board (PCB) internal to the camera leads to intermittent rearview camera operation A rearview camera that intermittently displays a blank or distorted image does not comply can reduce the driver’s view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The analog camera female terminals within the PCB header inside the rearview camera move beyond their yield strength and deform when the male pins were inserted.

It took until May 2020 for Ford to alert is Critical Concerns Review Group (CCRG) for a review on May 12, 2020. The CCRG considered the requirements of FMVSS 111 – Rear Visibility, which requires the display of a “field of view” of certain objects rearward of the vehicle upon the initiation of a backing event. The CCRG reviewed the manufacturing plant’s inspection procedures for rearview cameras and learned that every vehicle is checked for a rearview image at the vehicle’s respective manufacturing plant.

The CCRG directed FMVSS No. 111 compliance testing be performed on 9 vehicles and concluded that all vehicles met the requirements. As this concern covered multiple vehicle lines with different failure rates, the CCRG also investigated the different vehicle layouts to understand any differences that could exist among the vehicles. Ford summarized its CCRG investigation and discussed these results with NHTSA.

During September 2020, Ford updated its analysis to include newer claims of rearview camera replacements. Specifically, the CCRG focused on the updated rates of failure that were reported on the dealer lots at 0 days in service. On September 16, 2020, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action. Ford said it is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition.

Some of the Defective Ford Vehicles

  • 51,999 Explorer SUVs are affected
  • 24,488 Mustang cars are affected
  • 54,210 Transit vans are affected
  • 7,318 Nautilus vehicles are affected
  • 4,716 Corsair SUVs are affected
  • 37 Ranger pickup trucks are affected
  • 46,902 Edge SUVS are affected
  • 43,442 Expedition SUVs are
  • 77,000 Super Duty pickups

These vehicles are not produced in VIN order. Information as to the applicability of this action to specific vehicles can best be obtained by either calling Ford’s toll-free line (1-866-436-7332) or by contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer who can obtain specific information regarding the vehicles from the Ford On-line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS) database.

Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to replace the rearview camera per the field service action technical instructions. There will be no charge for this service as is required by U.S. law. Ford is excluding reimbursement for costs because the original warranty program would provide for a free repair for this concern.

Notification to dealers is expected to occur on November 7, 2020. Mailing of owner notification letters is expected to begin November 7, 2020 and is expected to be completed by November 22, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 20C19. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.safercar.gov.

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About Ken Zino

Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), 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. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. 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 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.
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One Response to Ford Recalls Defective Rear-view Cameras on 620,246 Vehicles

  1. Pingback: NHTSA Fines Ford $165M for Flouting Recall Law | AutoInformed

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