Ford Recalls 254,640 Ford and Lincoln SUVs Over Safety‑System Software Fault
Ford Motor Co. is recalling 254,640 U.S. vehicles, including certain 2022–2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024–2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and 2025 Ford Explorer models, after regulators found a software defect that can disable the rearview camera and several advanced driver-assistance systems. According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration filing, the image-processing software can unexpectedly reset, temporarily knocking out the backup camera image, pre‑collision assist, lane‑keeping assist and blind‑spot monitoring, which officials say raises crash risk by reducing drivers’ ability to detect hazards. Affected vehicles may display warnings such as “Front Camera Fault,” “Pre‑Collision Assist Not Available” or “Lane‑Keeping System Off,” and blind‑spot indicators may light up during a reset. Ford will provide a free fix via dealership service and an over‑the‑air software update, with owner notification letters scheduled to be mailed on March 30 under recall number 26V165. The case underscores how software glitches in increasingly computerized vehicles can quickly become national safety issues requiring federal oversight and large‑scale recalls.
📌 Key Facts
- NHTSA-announced recall covers 254,640 vehicles across several Ford and Lincoln SUV lines from model years 2022–2025.
- Image‑processing software can reset unexpectedly, cutting out the rearview camera image and disabling ADAS features like pre‑collision assist, lane‑keeping assist and blind‑spot monitoring.
- Ford will issue a free dealer software update and a free over‑the‑air update, with owner notices to be mailed March 30 under recall number 26V165.
📊 Relevant Data
Software-related vehicle recalls have risen to nearly 15% of all recall incidents in 2023, up from 5% since 1966, reflecting the increasing integration of technology in vehicles.
Software-Related Vehicle Recalls: A Reflection on the Evolution in Automotive Technology — Envorso
Ford issued 582 recalls from 2016 to 2025, topping NHTSA recalls for the decade, with many involving software issues such as rearview camera failures affecting millions of vehicles in 2025-2026.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have been involved in over 800 reported crashes since NHTSA began mandatory reporting in 2021, though they are projected to prevent 249,400 fatalities from 2021 through 2050.
Self-Driving Car Accident Statistics — Naqvi Injury Law
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