2023 Ford Explorer Rearview Camera May Display Blue Image, Impairing Rear Visibility
Ford is recalling 2023 Explorer vehicles with defective rearview camera wire harnesses. The camera may display a blue image, reducing rear visibility and increasing crash risk.
What this means for you
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: This defect affects a safety-critical function (rear visibility compliance) and presents increased crash risk due to impaired rear view, meeting the 'risk-of-harm product without reported injury' criterion. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
Plain-English summary
Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2023 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with a standard rearview camera. Due to a manufacturing error in the camera's wire harness, the rearview camera may display a blue image on the vehicle's SYNC screen when placed in reverse, rather than a proper image of the area behind the vehicle. This defect causes the vehicles to fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111, which governs rear visibility.
A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Approximately 2,866 units are potentially affected.
Dealers will inspect the rearview camera wire harness and repair any loose splices at no cost to the owner. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 2, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 (Ford's recall number: 23C31) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). More information is available at www.nhtsa.gov.
The recalled product
- Product
- 2023 FORD EXPLORER
- Brand
- FORD
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Category
- Vehicle — Rearview Camera
- Hazard
- visibility-impairment
- crash-risk
- Affected units
- 2,866
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (1)
- EXPLORER
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same brand · FORD
- HighFord F-250 SD windshield wiper arm failure recall 2022–2023
NHTSA · 2028-07-03
- Severe2025–2026 Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick Occupant Sensor Recall
NHTSA · 2028-07-03
- Severe2026 Ford Explorer and Mustang Engine Piston Circlip Defect Recall
NHTSA · 2028-07-03
- HighFord Ranger and Bronco Seat Height Adjustment Fastener Recall
NHTSA · 2028-04-04
- High2025-2026 Ford Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco Engine Failure Recall
NHTSA · 2028-03-05
Same category
- High
- HighFord F-250 SD windshield wiper arm failure recall 2022–2023
NHTSA · 2028-07-03
- Severe2025–2026 Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick Occupant Sensor Recall
NHTSA · 2028-07-03
- Severe2026 Ford Explorer and Mustang Engine Piston Circlip Defect Recall
NHTSA · 2028-07-03
- Severe