2021-2023 Ford Explorer Backup Camera Software Recall (25V159)
Ford Motor Company · 49,399 vehicles · Reported March 14, 2025
Ford Motor Company is recalling 49,399 2021-2023 Ford Explorer; 2021-2023 Lincoln Aviator; 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 25V159 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 25V159000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 25S27 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | March 14, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2021-2023 Ford Explorer; 2021-2023 Lincoln Aviator; 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair |
| Units affected | 49,399 |
| Build dates | January 21, 2019 to July 25, 2023 |
| Component | Back Over Prevention > Software |
| Safety risk | Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2023 Ford Explorer in recall 25V159?
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2023 Explorer with recall 25V159?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Explorer shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the software, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 25V159?
Recall 25V159 covers 49,399 vehicles: 2021-2023 Ford Explorer; 2021-2023 Lincoln Aviator; 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair.
NHTSA lists 49,399 vehicles in this campaign, built January 21, 2019 to July 25, 2023. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | Ford | Explorer |
| 2021-2023 | Lincoln | Aviator |
| 2021-2022 | Lincoln | Corsair |
What is the fix for the Explorer backup camera software recall?
Yes. Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software, free of charge.
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.
When was recall 25V159 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 25V159 to NHTSA on March 14, 2025. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as April 25, 2025.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| January 21, 2019 | First affected vehicle built (per Ford Motor Company's filing). |
| July 25, 2023 | Last affected vehicle built. |
| March 14, 2025 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 25V159000. |
| April 25, 2025 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 18 months ago, and vehicles were built over a span of 1646 days. If your Explorer was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Explorer is part of recall 25V159?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V159 is open on your Explorer, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 25V159000 is open on your Explorer, it will be listed there, along with Ford recall number 25S27. You can also ask any Ford dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Explorer owners do about recall 25V159?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 25V159000 applies to your Explorer.
- Call a Ford dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any software symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Explorer owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 984 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 53 of them about the rearview camera.
Since recall 25V159 was reported on March 14, 2025, owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the rearview camera on these vehicles. 2 of them (11%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the rearview camera and were received on or after March 14, 2025, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related rearview camera issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 984 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 53 of them involve the rearview camera. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Ford Explorer: 430 complaints in total, 19 about the rearview camera
- 2022 Ford Explorer: 267 complaints in total, 11 about the rearview camera
- 2023 Ford Explorer: 110 complaints in total, 5 about the rearview camera
- 2022 Lincoln Aviator: 45 complaints in total, 3 about the rearview camera
- 2021 Lincoln Aviator: 39 complaints in total, 2 about the rearview camera
- 2022 Lincoln Corsair: 35 complaints in total, 5 about the rearview camera
- 2021 Lincoln Corsair: 34 complaints in total, 5 about the rearview camera
- 2023 Lincoln Aviator: 24 complaints in total, 3 about the rearview camera
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
The contact owns a 2023 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rear-view camera displayed a glitching screen. The vehicle was serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION) by the previous owner; however, the repair failed to fix the vehicle.
2023 Lincoln Aviator owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11709130, filed January 6, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated while reversing, the rear-view camera did not function as intended. The contact stated that the rear-view camera display flipped the image to the front of the vehicle. In addition, the rear-view camera system did not alert the contact. The contact's vehicle crashed into a trailer.
2023 Lincoln Aviator owner, AZ, NHTSA complaint 11733297, filed April 23, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Lincoln Aviator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V598000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the back over prevention system remained activated showing the rearview of the vehicle.
2023 Lincoln Aviator owner, IN, NHTSA complaint 11577938, filed March 18, 2024
Can recall 25V159 make my Explorer a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 25V159000 does not automatically make your Explorer a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
A rearview camera that blanks out or freezes is a safety issue because federal rules require a working backup image. Camera problems are often software related, and many owners see them come back after an update.
This is not the first recall for this problem. When a manufacturer has to recall the same software again, that suggests the earlier fix did not work. If your 2021-2023 Ford Explorer has had this repair more than once, keep every repair order.
Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 21V735000, 23V342000, 24V801000.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Explorer been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford Explorer recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 25V159
Did the recall 25V159 fix work?
Since recall 25V159 was reported on March 14, 2025, owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the rearview camera on these vehicles. 2 of them (11%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed April 25, 2025.
Is the 25V159000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Explorer is part of recall 25V159000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Is it legal to drive with a blank backup camera?
Federal safety rules require new vehicles to have a working rearview image, which is why camera failures are recalled. Have it repaired, and use mirrors and extra care until then.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 25V159000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford, Lincoln. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.