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Back-over prevention (rear camera)Part report

2021 Ford Explorer Back-over prevention (rear camera) Problems

Complaints
36about this part
Share
8%of 450 total for the year
Median mileage
35,300miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the back-over prevention of the 2021 Ford Explorer, 8% of the 450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,300 miles. 7 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The parking collision sensors started to act up. Its been replaced 3 or 4 times in the last year over the same problem and no one has tried to tell me how to fix the issue besides keep getting it replaced. People are at risk of getting hit or hitting a object that could be in the way of me reversing.”

NHTSA complaint #11718657, filed 2026-02

“I am reporting countless incidences of my backup camera screen going to black or blue when the Gear Shift is selected to REVERSE. This has happened multiple times a day, week, month, etc. and is extremely frustrating. I am reporting in hopes to do anything I can to get the software fix expedited because it has been occurring for too long without a fix. …”

NHTSA complaint #11525384, filed 2023-06

“I have taken my Explorer in twice to have the infotainment system repaired. It will randomly shut down and go blank. Nothing will work to include the camera/backup assists. Sometimes an ignition cycle will clear it, but there have been times it will not. Both local dealers claim they could not duplicate despite bringing in and showing the service advisor during an event. Ford has also performed a recall for this 4 times, with the 3rd being canceled because it was not actually fixing the issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11529359, filed 2023-06

“I am reporting a safety concern involving a delayed transmission gear engagement and delayed rearview camera activation. Intermittently, when shifting the vehicle from Park into Reverse or Drive, there is a noticeable delay before the transmission actually engages the selected gear. During this delay, the rearview camera also fails to activate immediately. Because there is no immediate indication that the requested gear has engaged, I have experienced situations where I believed the vehicle was in Reverse or Drive, but it remained in the previous state for several seconds. …”

NHTSA complaint #11750264, filed 2026-07

“My complaint relates to: Manufacturer Recall Number: 23S23 NHTSA Recall Number: 23V342 INTERMITTENT EXPERIENCE OF A REAR CAMERA BLUE ON THE SYNC SCREEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN REVERSE and notification that rear parking assistant is disabled. Per January 2024 I received a notification that a remedy is available (replacement of rear camera and software update of SYNC). The dealership was not able to perform the remedy as they told me that the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) showed error codes and could not be updated. I was told to replace the APIM on my own expenses of ~$1,800. …”

NHTSA complaint #11569054, filed 2024-01

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Back-over prevention (rear camera): other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202612%
202511%
202415%
202376%
2022238%
2021368%
20201048%
201921%
2018264%
201770%
201660%
20151478%
2014292%
2013382%
2012121%
201120%
200811%
200210%

Other parts of the 2021 Ford Explorer

Transmission and drivetrain
127 complaintsOther or unknown
90 complaintsEngine
51 complaintsElectrical system
48 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
48 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsForward collision avoidance
19 complaintsSeats
17 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Ford Explorer

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology