Recall 23V686 affects 2,866 2023 Ford Explorer vehicles for a rearview camera wiring defect. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 2,866 2023 Explorer vehicles under recall 23V686 because a wire harness manufacturing error can make the standard rearview camera show a blue image when the vehicle is in reverse. That failure reduces the driver's rear view and increases crash risk; Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2023 Ford Explorer uses a rearview camera circuit inside the body wiring harness to send power to the camera at the back of the vehicle. When the Explorer is shifted into reverse, that powered camera sends the rear image to the SYNC screen so the driver can see behind the SUV.
On affected Explorers, a solder splice in the rearview camera power circuit was not heated correctly during wire harness manufacturing. The solder did not spread through the splice as designed, leaving the connection loose. That loose connection can open the circuit, cut power to the camera, and leave the SYNC screen showing a blue image instead of the rear view.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices is the blue screen when the vehicle is placed in reverse, which means the camera image is not available for backing up.
Who's affected?
The same body main wiring assembly appears under both the display function and wiring components.
| 2023 Ford Explorer | Display function |
|---|---|
| 2023 Ford Explorer | wiring |
| Units affected | 2,866 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A rearview camera that fails to show an image reduces the view behind the 2023 Explorer and increases the risk of a crash while backing up. There is no warning sign before the image problem. Check mirrors and surroundings carefully, and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023 Ford Explorer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free rearview-camera harness inspection and loose-splice repair that fixes the blue image on the SYNC screen.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V686 and Ford recall 23C31 when you call.
- Use mirrors and direct visual checks when backing up until the repair is complete; the camera display is the part at issue.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the rearview camera wire harness and repairs any loose splices that affect the camera signal. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Ford provided its general reimbursement plan for owners who paid for this repair before the safety recall notice. Ford listed November 24, 2023, as the reimbursement eligibility ending date. If you already paid for a related rearview camera wire harness repair, ask Ford customer service or the dealer service desk what documentation they need.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 13, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 18, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| October 18, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 2, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 6, 2023 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| November 6, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V686?
Recall 23V686 covers 2,866 2023 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with a standard rearview camera. A wire-harness manufacturing error can make the rearview camera show a blue image on the SYNC screen in reverse, reducing rear visibility and increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2023 Ford Explorer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Explorer is included in recall 23V686. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the rearview camera wire-harness inspection and repair. Reference Ford recall number 23C31 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will inspect the rearview camera wire harness and repair loose splices free of charge at a franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced rear visibility when the vehicle is placed in reverse. If the rearview camera shows a blue image instead of a proper rear view, the driver has less help seeing behind the Explorer, increasing the risk of a crash.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for a blue image on the SYNC screen when the Explorer is shifted into reverse. That display problem is the warning sign described for this recall. Even if the camera works now, check your VIN because the recall applies by vehicle build and equipment.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V686000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V686 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V686000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (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 →