In recent years, Ford has certainly faced its fair share of problems with malfunctioning or non-working rearview cameras. Back in 2020, the automaker issued a recall covering 700,000 vehicles with camera woes, in fact, which later prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to open an investigation into the matter. That same problem spawned a lawsuit shortly thereafter, and impacts a broad array of models. That list didn’t include the Ford Flex, but now, the NHTSA is investigating rear camera failures in that discontinued model, too.
The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) unit has thus far received 23 reports from 2019 Ford Flex owners, specifically, via its Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) pertaining to this matter, which is what prompted it to open an investigation. Those owners report that their vehicles’ rear-view camera image can sometimes be distorted, inverted, or completely blank when the vehicle is in reverse, which is precisely what prompted the aforementioned recall on some other Blue Oval models.
As one might imagine, this problem can lead to an increase in the risk of a crash, given the fact that the driver may not be able to see what’s going on behind them, or they may receive false information in the event that the camera image is inverted or upside down. For now, ODI plans to use its investigation to determine the scope and severity of this problem, assess the potential safety implications, and potentially take further action to ensure that it’s rectified.
This investigation covers a total of 35,950 Ford Flex models from the 2019 model year, but that crossover certainly isn’t alone. Rather, that list also includes 2020 Ford Explorer, Ford F-150, Ford Mustang, Ford Transit, Ford Super Duty, Ford Expedition, Ford Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Ford Ranger, Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, and Lincoln Nautilus models, as well as 2020-2023 Explorer, Aviator, and Corsair crossovers.
Comments
Strange, my 2017 Lincoln MKT was not included in the article. I have had zero issues with the back up camera. Great car ! 115,000 miles with no issues, original brakes, great mileage on the road. Wish that F would have the same model with Hybrid option.
Ford is getting quite a reputation for poor quality.
MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT OUR 2019 FORD FLEX AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WITH 33,513 MILES ON IT, ON MARCH 1, 2021. IN JUNE OF 2021, WITH MILEAGE AT 38,222, OUR REAR BACKUP CAMERA WENT OUT. IT WAS REPLACED BY WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE WITH CODE C1001 DIAGNOSES. ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO THE BACKUP CAMERA WENT OUT AGAIN. I ONLY JUST NOW GOT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE HOSPITAL. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON DEC, 20, 2024. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $867.00. WE ARE ON A FIXED INCOME AND I CAN’T HAVE IT DONE RIGHT NOW. IN THE MEANTIME, WE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE A/C COMPRESSOR CHANGED. $$$ WE LOVE OUR FLEX. IT IS THE PERFECT VEHICLE FOR US. WE ARE BOTH HANDICAPPED. THE VEHICLE IS LOW ENOUGH FOR US TO GET IN EASILY. I AM ABLE TO CARRY MY HUSBANDS WHEELCHAIR IN THE BACK WITH NO PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO HAVE IT INVESTIGATED FOR A RECALL. THE SYMPTOMS ARE THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE REPORTS. INVERTED PICTURE, ETC.
How does one tell NSTHA’s ODI the backup camera in his ‘19 Flex is bad.
How do I get in touch with NSTHA to report this issue with my Flex. It is quit disconcerting when I back up, especially in tight quarters or crowed, busy parking lot.