Automotive Safety Recalls

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.