NHTSA Recall 26V489000: Ford F-150 & F-250 Super Duty Rearview Camera Image Obstructed

What the recall covers

Recall 26V489000 (Ford reference 26C37) covers 47,587 vehicles — roughly 24,408 model-year 2021–2023 F-150 pickups and 23,179 model-year 2023–2026 F-250 Super Duty pickups equipped with an 8-inch SYNC infotainment screen. A software error can leave the infotainment home-screen menu overlaid on top of the rearview camera image when the driver shifts into reverse, instead of automatically clearing. The overlay stays until the driver closes the menu, selects a camera view, or exceeds about 5 mph in drive. During federal compliance testing, the lingering menu was found to partially cover test objects in the camera image, so these vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111, 'Rear Visibility.' Affected trucks run accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software earlier than version 2.4.12. Ford escalated the issue to its Critical Concern Review Group in May 2026 and decided to conduct a safety recall; the vehicles were not built in VIN sequence, so a VIN check is the only reliable way to confirm inclusion.

The remedy

Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge; the update can also be delivered over the air (OTA). Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 17, 2026, with additional letters once the remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. VINs became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 31, 2026. Ford has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory for this recall.

What owners should do now

• Until the software is updated, close the camera views menu before shifting into reverse so the full backup image is visible, and don't rely on the screen alone — use your mirrors and an over-the-shoulder check when backing up.
• Confirm your specific VIN rather than relying on model year — these trucks were not built in VIN sequence. Enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (searchable now).
• If your truck is eligible for the over-the-air update, install it promptly; otherwise schedule the free dealer update and keep the repair order.
• Keep the interim recall letter when it arrives. It is dated proof that Ford notified you of a safety defect.
• If the camera image is still obstructed after the update, document each occurrence with the date and get a repair order every visit — a recall repair that does not hold is what a lemon law claim is built on.

How to check your VIN

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is included by entering the 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ford.com/support/recalls. Inclusion is VIN-specific and the trucks were not produced in VIN sequence, so not every 2021–2023 F-150 or 2023–2026 F-250 Super Duty is affected. VINs are searchable now.

Ford customer service: 866-436-7332 (recall reference 26C37). NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 888-327-4236.

When this recall can become a California lemon law claim

A recall is not automatically a lemon — it is the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free fix. Your Ford may qualify under California's Lemon Law if the recall repair is significantly delayed, doesn't resolve the problem, or your vehicle has other unrepaired warranty defects. In those cases you may be entitled to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement, with the manufacturer paying your attorney fees. For the full breakdown, see the guides below.