2021 Ford Explorer Collision Avoidance & Cameras Problems
NHTSA lists 54 complaints in Collision Avoidance & Cameras for the 2021 Ford Explorer, 13% of all complaints for the year, with 2 crashes and 1 injury reported. Multiple related recalls cover the 360-degree camera and rearview camera software. Median mileage at failure was 31,419.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras complaints
- 54
- 13% of 426
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 31,420 mi
- Related recalls
- 7
Typical collision avoidance system symptoms owners report
- Rearview or 360-degree backup camera image turns blue and disappears, sometimes recurring within days after a repair or recall fix.
- Reverse braking (automatic braking while backing up) disables randomly or shuts off when the camera fails.
- Adaptive cruise control misreads posted speed limit signs, in one case jumping from 65 mph to 85 mph and accelerating unexpectedly.
- Co-Pilot360 evasive steering assist has engaged unexpectedly, causing a reported loss of steering control and a crash.
- Adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance systems have deactivated suddenly or detected objects that were not present, stopping the vehicle at low speed.
- Audio Control Module failure has cut sound for Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Warning, and reverse sensor alerts.
When 2021 Ford Explorer collision avoidance system complaints were filed
First complaint May 1, 2021, latest Jul 24, 2026.
Collision Avoidance & Cameras recalls for the 2021 Ford Explorer
- NHTSA 26V123000Mar 3, 2026Collision Avoidance & Cameras889,950 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V442000Jun 27, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras200,237 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
- NHTSA 25V159000Mar 14, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras49,399 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V-342. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S27.
- NHTSA 23V342000May 12, 2023Collision Avoidance & Cameras442,973 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S23. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 23V-022. Vehicles previously repaired under 23V-022 will need to have the new remedy performed.
- NHTSA 23V305000Apr 28, 2023Collision Avoidance & Cameras523 vehicles
Back over prevention:display function
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 12.1-inch Integrated Computer Screen (ICS). When the Display On/Off Button is used to turn the display to "Off" prior to placing the vehicle in reverse, the backup camera rearview image will not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the ICS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C14.
- NHTSA 23V022000Jan 23, 2023Collision Avoidance & Cameras382,759 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 25, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S02. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 21V-735. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V-735 will need to have the new remedy performed.
- NHTSA 21V735000Sep 22, 2021Collision Avoidance & Cameras228,297 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Corsair, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 360-degree cameras. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S44.
Collision Avoidance & Cameras complaints by Explorer model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many complaints does the 2021 Ford Explorer have for collision avoidance and camera problems?
- NHTSA lists 54 complaints in this area for the 2021 Explorer, which is 13% of the 426 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2021 Ford Explorer camera issues?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 21V735000 covers the 360-degree camera video output failing on 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Corsair, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles, and several later recalls (23V022000, 23V342000, 25V159000, 25V442000, 26V123000) address related camera and display software issues on Explorer and related Ford/Lincoln models.
- Were there any crashes linked to these problems?
- NHTSA data shows 2 crashes and 1 injury associated with Collision Avoidance & Cameras complaints for the 2021 Explorer.
- At what mileage do these camera and collision avoidance problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 31,419.5 miles.
- Did the recall fix stop the blue-screen camera issue?
- Some owners reported the blue-screen backup camera problem recurred within days of the 21V735000 recall repair, prompting Ford to issue additional software and hardware recalls in 2023 and 2025.