Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 47,000 F-Series pickup trucks because of a software problem involving the vehicles’ 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens and rearview camera displays.
The recall affects certain 2021–2023 Ford F-150 and 2023–2026 Ford F-250 Super Duty trucks equipped with an 8-inch SYNC infotainment screen. According to federal recall information, a software error can cause the infotainment system’s home-screen menu to remain displayed when the truck is shifted into reverse, obstructing part of the rearview-camera image.
Because an obstructed camera image can prevent drivers from clearly seeing what is behind their truck while backing up, Ford says the condition can increase the risk of a crash. The affected vehicles also fail to comply with the federal safety standard governing rear visibility.
The recall affects 47,587 Ford trucks nationwide.
Which Ford F-150 and F-250 Trucks Are Being Recalled?
Ford’s recall applies to certain:
- 2021 Ford F-150
- 2022 Ford F-150
- 2023 Ford F-150
- 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty
- 2024 Ford F-250 Super Duty
- 2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty
- 2026 Ford F-250 Super Duty
Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 47,000 F-Series pickup trucks because of a software problem invOnly vehicles equipped with the affected 8-inch SYNC infotainment display are included in this particular recall. Approximately 47,587 vehicles may be affected.olving the vehicles’ 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens and rearview camera displays.
Reported production ranges include certain F-150 trucks manufactured between January 30, 2020, and December 22, 2023, and certain F-250 Super Duty trucks manufactured between March 16, 2022, and June 1, 2026.
However, simply owning an F-150 or F-250 from one of the listed model years does not necessarily mean your truck is included. Owners should verify their individual Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) through Ford or NHTSA’s recall lookup system.
The recall is identified as:
- NHTSA Recall Number: 26V489000
- Ford Recall Number: 26C37
- Potential Vehicles Affected: 47,587
- Component: Back Over Prevention / Display Function
What Is Wrong With the 8-Inch Ford SYNC Screen?
The problem involves the software controlling the truck’s infotainment display.
When a driver shifts a properly functioning vehicle into reverse, the infotainment display should switch to the rearview-camera image so the driver can see the area immediately behind the vehicle.
In affected Ford trucks, however, a software error may cause the SYNC infotainment home-screen menu to remain over the rearview camera image.
Instead of receiving a clear, unobstructed view behind the truck, the driver may see the rear camera feed with part of the screen covered by the infotainment menu.
That may make it more difficult to identify objects, vehicles or people located behind the pickup.
The problem is especially noteworthy in large trucks such as the F-150 and F-250, where drivers may already have substantial blind spots immediately behind the vehicle.
Why Is an Obstructed Rearview Camera a Safety Concern?
Rearview cameras are intended to give drivers additional visibility into areas that may not be visible through mirrors or by looking over their shoulder.
An obstructed image could potentially prevent a driver from seeing:
- Pedestrians
- Children
- Other vehicles
- Bicycles
- Shopping carts
- Posts or barriers
- Low objects
- Other obstacles behind the truck
NHTSA’s recall information states that an obstructed rearview-camera image can reduce rear visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Ford’s software problem also creates a federal compliance issue.
The recalled trucks fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111, “Rear Visibility,” which establishes requirements related to a vehicle driver’s ability to see behind the vehicle.
As of the latest reporting, Ford has indicated that it is not aware of any crashes or injuries associated with this specific defect.
How Will Ford Fix the F-150 and F-250 Rearview Camera Problem?
The good news for affected Ford owners is that the recall remedy does not currently require replacing the rearview camera or the entire infotainment screen.
Instead, Ford plans to update the vehicle’s Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) software.
The repair can be completed either:
- At an authorized Ford dealership, or
- Through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, where available.
The recall repair will be provided free of charge.
NHTSA’s current recall information states that Ford mailed interim notices advising owners about the safety risk and planned additional notification once the remedy became available. More recent reporting indicates final recall notifications are expected to be mailed between September 21 and October 23, 2026.
Owners with questions can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 and reference recall 26C37.
What Should Ford F-150 and F-250 Owners Do?
If you own a 2021–2023 Ford F-150 or 2023–2026 Ford F-250 Super Duty with an 8-inch SYNC screen, there are several steps you can take.
First, check your VIN to determine whether your particular truck is included in recall 26V489000. Ford and NHTSA maintain VIN-based recall lookup tools, and affected VINs became searchable through NHTSA beginning July 31, 2026.
If your truck is included, follow Ford’s instructions for receiving the free software update.
Drivers should also continue using their mirrors and physically checking the area surrounding the truck when backing up rather than depending exclusively on the rearview-camera display.
If you have already experienced a rearview-camera or infotainment problem, make sure the issue is documented on your dealership repair order, even if the dealership says it cannot duplicate the problem.
Keeping copies of repair orders, invoices, recall notices, emails and communications with the dealership or manufacturer can become particularly important if the defect continues after repairs.
What If the Rearview Camera Problem Keeps Coming Back After the Recall Repair?
A recall repair does not always mean the end of a vehicle owner’s problems.
If Ford performs the software update but your truck continues experiencing rearview-camera problems, infotainment malfunctions, black screens, obstructed camera images or related electrical issues, return the vehicle to an authorized dealership and have the problem documented.
Do not assume that a recurring problem is insignificant simply because a recall repair has already been performed.
For a warranty or lemon law claim, documentation can be extremely important. Repair records can establish:
- When the problem first appeared
- How frequently the problem occurred
- How many opportunities the manufacturer had to repair it
- How long the vehicle was unavailable for use
- Whether previous repairs corrected the problem
- Whether the defect affected the vehicle’s use, value or safety
Repeated failures, multiple repair attempts, extensive time out of service, safety-related defects and strong documentation can all be important factors when evaluating a potential warranty or lemon law claim.
Does a Ford Recall Mean Your Truck Is a Lemon?
Not necessarily. A recall by itself does not automatically make a Ford F-150 or F-250 a lemon.
Lemon laws generally focus on whether a vehicle has defects covered by warranty that the manufacturer has been unable to repair within the requirements established by the applicable state law. Those requirements vary depending on where the vehicle was purchased or registered and the circumstances of the individual case.
A recall can nevertheless be important evidence because it establishes that the manufacturer has formally recognized a problem affecting a particular group of vehicles.
A Ford owner may have additional reason to investigate their legal rights if their F-150 or F-250 has experienced:
- Repeated rearview-camera failures
- Recurring SYNC infotainment problems
- Multiple dealership visits for the same problem
- Problems that return after a software update
- Extended periods when the truck is unavailable because of repairs
- Multiple unrelated warranty defects
- Safety-related problems that Ford or the dealership has been unable to correct
Repeated warranty repair attempts and significant time out of service are factors that can be relevant when evaluating whether a defective vehicle may qualify for a lemon law claim.
Keep Your Ford Repair Records
If your F-150 or F-250 has experienced rearview-camera or infotainment problems, keep every document associated with your vehicle.
That includes dealership repair orders even when the repair order says: “Could not duplicate,” “No problem found,” or “Operating as designed.”.
Ask the service department to accurately describe the problem you reported.
For example, rather than allowing a repair order to simply say “check screen,” make sure it explains that the rearview-camera image was obscured by the infotainment menu when the vehicle was placed in reverse, if that accurately describes what happened.
Detailed repair records can help establish the history and frequency of the defect if the problem continues.
Ford Owners Experiencing Recurring Problems May Have Lemon Law Rights
Ford’s latest F-Series recall highlights how increasingly complex vehicle software can directly affect safety systems that drivers rely upon every day.
For the approximately 47,587 owners whose F-150 or F-250 may be affected, Ford’s free APIM software update may resolve the problem.
But owners whose trucks continue experiencing rearview-camera, SYNC infotainment or other significant warranty problems after repeated repair attempts may have additional options.
Auto Lemon Lawyer handles Ford lemon law claims involving vehicles including the Ford F-150 and Ford F-250 Super Duty and can review an owner’s repair history to determine whether a potential warranty or lemon law claim may exist.
If you have repeatedly brought your Ford truck to the dealership for warranty repairs, or your vehicle has spent significant time out of service, contact Auto Lemon Lawyer for a free case evaluation.
Lucas graduated cum laude from Southern University Law Center in 2025, finishing second overall in his graduating cohort. He was a recipient of the Southern University Law Center Merit Scholarship, awarded to students in the top five percent (5%) of the class based on merit, academic performance, and character. Lucas is admitted to practice law in the State of Louisiana. While his time in formal legal practice is recent, he has been part of the Auto Lemon Lawyer team for over five years, during which he has worked in every position within the firm. This experience provides him with a comprehensive understanding of Lemon Law cases from intake through litigation and resolution.