2022-2023 Ford Transit Defroster Recall (25V168)

Recall 25V168 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2022-2023 Ford Transit in recall 25V168?

The heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system's controls, including those for defog and defrost, may become inoperative.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Transit vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 22V-791. The heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system's controls, including those for defog and defrost, may become inoperative.

Is it safe to drive a 2022-2023 Transit with recall 25V168?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Loss of the ability to control the defrost or defog function decreases the driver's visibility under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Loss of the ability to control the defrost or defog function decreases the driver's visibility under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Transit shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the defroster and defogger and hvac system, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 25V168?

Recall 25V168 covers 471 vehicles: 2022-2023 Ford Transit.

NHTSA lists 471 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Transit defroster recall?

Yes. Dealers will update the remote climate control module software, free of charge.

Dealers will update the remote climate control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S23.

When was recall 25V168 announced?

Ford Motor Company reported recall 25V168 to NHTSA on March 14, 2025. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as April 21, 2025.

This recall was filed 19 months ago. If your Transit was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Transit is part of recall 25V168?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V168 is open on your Transit, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2022-2023 Transit vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should Transit owners do about recall 25V168?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 25V168000 applies to your Transit.
2. Call a Ford dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Keep a simple log of any defroster and defogger and hvac system symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are Transit owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 94 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 1 of them about the lighting and visibility.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the lighting and visibility have been filed since recall 25V168 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 94 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 1 of them involve the lighting and visibility. 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.

• 2023 Ford Transit: 56 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility
• 2022 Ford Transit: 38 complaints in total, 1 about the lighting and visibility

Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Transit. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V791000 (Electrical System, Visibility). The dealer was notified of the issue and the recall repair was performed; however, the contact was informed that additional repairs needed to be made to the HVAC system.

2022 Ford Transit owner, MI, NHTSA complaint 11500098, filed January 4, 2023

Can recall 25V168 make my Transit 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 25V168000 does not automatically make your Transit 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))?

Lighting and visibility defects, such as headlights that fail, wipers that stop or mirrors that do not work, reduce your ability to see and be seen. They are often electrical, and they often come back.

This is not the first recall for this problem. When a manufacturer has to recall the same defroster and defogger and hvac system again, that suggests the earlier fix did not work. If your 2022-2023 Ford Transit has had this repair more than once, keep every repair order.

Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 22V791000, 23V122000.

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.

Frequently asked questions about recall 25V168