Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published September 22, 2021
Ford 2020 Explorer: Rearview Camera Failure Risk
Ford recalls 2020-2021 Explorers with 360-degree cameras due to potential rearview camera image failure, increasing crash risk. Owners receive free software update.
“Ford 2020 Explorer: Rearview Camera Failure Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated August 18, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/79439-ford-2020-explorer-rearview-camera-failure-risk. Based on NHTSA recall #21V735000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V735000).
Ford Motor Company recalled certain 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Corsair, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles because a rearview camera may fail to display an image, increasing crash risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the recall on September 22, 2021.
How to tell if you have it
Ford Explorer, 2020-2021
Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2021
Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2021
What to do
Dealers will update the Image Processing Module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
The hazard
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Ford Motor Company has 643 other recalls on record since 2010-01-29. Other recent recalls of similar products include Ford 2021 Bronco Hard Top Recall (2026-10-22), Ford F-450 SD Recall (2026-10-06), and Ford F-150 Recall (2026-10-06). Other recent recalls of similar products include Honda Odyssey 2020 Recall (2026-01-07), Land Rover Discovery 2021 Back Over Prevention Recall (2026-07-16), and Volkswagen Atlas 2024-2026 Recall (2026-07-22).
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your 2020-2021 Ford Explorer has a 360-degree camera system. The recall covers vehicles with this feature.
Brand
Ford
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Update Software
Dealers will provide a free software update for the Image Processing Module to fix the camera issue.
Contact Ford
Owners can call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 to confirm eligibility and schedule the update.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
Dealers will update the Image Processing Module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S44.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
Owners were mailed letters 55 days after NHTSA received the defect report.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Owner letters mailed
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Subject: Recall 21V735000 — Ford 2020 Explorer: Rearview Camera Failure Risk
Hello,
I own a Ford 2020 Explorer: Rearview Camera Failure Risk that is covered by recall 21V735000 from Ford.
The official recall notice states: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S44.
I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this?
Thank you.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 18, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.