Recall 23V122 affects 4,804 2023 Ford Transit vehicles with disabled HVAC defrost and defog systems. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 4,804 2023 Transit vans equipped with Special Vehicle Operations Accessory Service Kit #1 or #2 because the auxiliary wire harness can shut off the HVAC, defrost, and defog systems. Reduced windshield clearing decreases driver visibility in certain conditions and increases crash risk; Ford dealers will repair the wiring free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The auxiliary wire harness on the 2023 Ford Transit is an added electrical harness used with Special Vehicle Operations Accessory Service Kit #1 or #2 and the High Specification Vehicle Interface Connector. In normal operation, that harness should keep the vehicle's Controller Area Network, the communication line that lets electronic modules talk to each other, connected while the accessory interface is installed. The HVAC system relies on that communication path to run heat, air conditioning, defrost, and defog functions.
On affected Transit vans, the supplier built the harness connector with blunt-end wires in the CAN bus communication pins instead of the required twisted pair CAN loop. That breaks the communication path. When the accessory kit is installed, the HVAC system becomes inoperative, including the windshield defrost and defog system.
The warning sign is direct: the HVAC system, defrost, and defog will not work. The HVAC controls on the SYNC screen will be grayed out and will not respond.
Who's affected?
| 2023 Ford Transit | visibility component |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 4,804 |
Not every 2023 Ford Transit van is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system reduces the driver's visibility under certain driving conditions and increases crash risk. If the HVAC controls on the SYNC screen are grayed out or unresponsive, schedule the repair soon and use extra caution in fog or frost. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023 Ford Transit is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free auxiliary wire-harness repair that restores the HVAC defrost and defog systems.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V122 when you call.
- Avoid driving in weather that requires windshield defrosting or defogging until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At a Ford dealer, a Ford technician repairs the auxiliary wire harness by modifying it to add the required twisted loop. The recall repair is available, and parts and labor are free. Ford's general reimbursement plan covers documented repair costs paid by owners before the recall notice, with reimbursement eligibility ending September 30, 2023. If you paid for this harness-related repair before the notice, ask the service desk or Ford customer service how to submit documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 24, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 27, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| March 3, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 20, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 20, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V122?
Recall 23V122 covers 4,804 2023 Ford Transit vehicles with Special Vehicle Operations Accessory Service Kit #1 or #2 and a high specification vehicle interface connector. The auxiliary wire harness can disable the HVAC, defrost, and defog systems. Ford dealers will modify the wire harness for free.
What should I do if my 2023 Ford Transit is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 23V122. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the auxiliary wire harness repair. Reference Ford recall number 23C02 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ford dealers will modify the auxiliary wire harness to add the required twisted loop, with parts and labor covered by the recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility through the windshield. If the defrost and defog systems do not work, the driver has a harder time seeing under certain driving conditions, increasing crash risk. The dealer repair restores the affected HVAC, defrost, and defog function.
What if I bought my Ford Transit used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2023 Ford Transit is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 23V122 or Ford number 23C02.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V122000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V122 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V122000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →