Major car company recalls 1.5 million vehicles after series of crashes

Ford has announced the recall of nearly 1.5 million vehicles in the US because of a defect linked to rear-view cameras in a number of its models.

According to Ford and reports from regulators, the issue involves the rear-view camera system showing either a blank screen or distorted image when the vehicle is reversing. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published details of the recall in its safety report on Monday, September 8.

The agency stated that Ford is aware of 18 accidents connected to the issue, though no injuries have been reported so far. The NHTSA also highlighted that the defect has the potential to reduce visibility at critical moments, increasing the risk for accidents.

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The recall covers some examples of the following models, all of which were manufactured between 2015 and 2019:

• Econoline
• Edge
• Expedition
• F-250 SD
• F-350 SD
• F-450 SD
• F-550 SD
• Lincoln MKC
• Lincoln Navigator
• Mustang
• Ranger
• Transit
• Transit Connect

Ford said that owners of the affected vehicles will soon be contacted by mail with detailed instructions on how to proceed. For those impacted, the recall requires scheduling an inspection at an authorised Ford or Lincoln dealership.

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Technicians will check whether the rear-view camera needs to be replaced. The repair will be carried out free of charge as part of Ford's recall policy, where necessary. Federal safety standards aimed at reducing crashes mean rear-view cameras have been required in all vehicles weighing under 10,000 pounds sold in the US since 2018.

Ford has faced recalls for rear camera issues in the past, but this one is among the largest in recent years. The company said it will fully cooperate with the NHTSA to manage the process, keep track of repairs and provide updates to regulators.

While the number of documented incidents is relatively low compared to the recall volume, the potential risks prompted Ford and federal officials to act. Drivers with affected models are urged to wait for official notices, but they can also check the NHTSA recall database, as well as Ford's customer service channels to see if their vehicle identification number is among those included.

While recalls are immensely inconvenient, they are one of the most important measures to prevent further accidents and maintain the public's trust in motor manufacturers.

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