Not the Picture Ford Wanted
Rearview cameras are important not only to help drivers see behind their vehicles when backing up, but also to comply with U.S. safety regulations. This is why Ford addressed rearview camera display defects in the Maverick under NHTSA recall 24V684 in September 2024. The fix was an update to the Connected Touch Radio (CTR) software, but apparently, the remedy may not have been completely effective.
NHTSA opened a Recall Query (RQ) to evaluate the effectiveness of the 2024 recall. The safety agency estimates that the investigation covers about 273,301 units of the 2022–2024 Maverick and Maverick Hybrid, which could experience frozen rearview camera images while reversing. Such a failure could provide false information to the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
A Second Look at the First Fix
The investigation does not establish that all 273,301 vehicles remain defective. But the RQ 26004 raises questions about whether the remedy fully addressed the problem. The 2024 recall stated that a memory leak could result in a frozen rearview camera display. A memory leak happens when software fails to release unused memory.
NHTSA received five Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging frozen rearview camera images even after the recall remedy was performed. Although the new investigation lists no crashes, the original recall report says Ford was aware of two accident reports and no injuries associated with the defect.
If the investigation shows that the fix was inadequate, another safety recall could potentially be issued. It could mean owners would have to allocate time to bring their pickup trucks back to dealerships for repairs. That’s become a familiar theme for some Ford owners, especially this decade, as the Blue Oval has led the industry in recall counts in recent years.
More Than Just a Camera Glitch
Ford has maintained that its high number of recalls reflects efforts to identify and address potential problems as early as possible. Some may view that as an excuse for poor quality control, but, to be fair, the company earned the top honor in the mass-market category of the 2026 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, suggesting its efforts to improve quality are paying off, at least during the first 90 days of ownership.
While the investigation into the Maverick’s rearview camera issue continues, Ford also recalled about 1.74 million vehicles under two separate safety campaigns earlier this year over rearview camera display problems. One recall involved overheating of the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM), while the other dealt with displays that could flip or invert.
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