2021-2022 Ford Escape Backup Camera Software Recall (26V123)

Recall 26V123 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Ford Escape in recall 26V123?

The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 Escape with recall 26V123?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the software.

Which vehicles are included in recall 26V123?

Recall 26V123 covers 889,950 vehicles: 2021-2022 Ford Escape; 2021-2024 Ford Explorer; 2021-2024 Lincoln Aviator; 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair.

NHTSA lists 889,950 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Escape backup camera software recall?

Yes. Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge.

Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.

When was recall 26V123 announced?

Ford Motor Company reported recall 26V123 to NHTSA on March 3, 2026. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as June 23, 2026.

This recall was filed 7 months ago. If your Escape was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Escape is part of recall 26V123?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 26V123 is open on your Escape, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 26V123000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should Escape owners do about recall 26V123?

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 26V123000 applies to your Escape.
2. Call a Ford dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. 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.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the software happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
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 Escape owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 1,592 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 70 of them about the rearview camera.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 1,592 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 70 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
• 2021 Ford Escape: 348 complaints in total, 10 about the rearview camera
• 2022 Ford Explorer: 267 complaints in total, 11 about the rearview camera
• 2022 Ford Escape: 232 complaints in total, 7 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

Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the back over prevention camera image remained on the screen before the screen went black. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired.

2021 Ford Escape owner, ME, NHTSA complaint 11678796, filed August 6, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention), and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs.

2021 Ford Escape owner, MI, NHTSA complaint 11726928, filed March 25, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention), 26V117000 (Visibility), and 25V829000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.

2021 Ford Escape owner, MI, NHTSA complaint 11729646, filed April 7, 2026

Can recall 26V123 make my Escape 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.

Owners often ask whether this software recall means their Escape qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Rearview camera faults are frequently fixed with a software update, but owners report the screen going black again weeks later. If that happens with your 2021-2022 Ford Escape, each return visit should be documented.

This campaign follows an earlier recall for the same issue. A second recall can mean the first remedy failed, and repeated repair attempts on the same defect are the core of most lemon law claims.

Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 21V735000, 24V801000, 25V159000, 25V315000, 25V442000.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Escape went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.

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 26V123