2021 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Backup camera goes black or freezes
- 26owner reports
- 32,899median miles
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Jul 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
26 of the 72 reports of infotainment on the 2021 F-150 describe backup camera failure.
Part of Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails (72 reports)
Tick what matches of 26 reports
Backup camera failure on other F-150 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the camera (26 reports) and the head unit or screen (15 reports).
Recalls and investigations
13 recalls on the backup camera cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
A software error may cause the rearview camera image to be obstructed by the infotainment home screen menu when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function.
The moonroof wind deflector clips may be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, which can result in the wind deflector detaching from the vehicle.
A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
Due to a software error, a towed trailer equipped with an electric or electric-over hydraulic brake system may not brake.
An over-the-air software update to the body control module (BCM) may have disabled both reverse lights.
Contact with the rear axle housing may damage the wiring harness, causing the electric parking brake to activate unexpectedly.
The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
Due to a software error, a towed trailer equipped with an electric or electric-over hydraulic brake system may not brake.
The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
All 29 recalls on the 2021 Ford F-150, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the backup camera on the F-150
Rearview camera fmvss 111 noncompliance. Open.
Engine compartment fires. Closed aug 2, 2006, led to recall 05V-388.
None of these investigations covers the 2021 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 25,000 and 53,000 miles, from the 9 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 Ford F-150 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: - "Reverse Brake Assist Unavailable" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) with missing active guide lines in the reverse camera ...
Some 2021-2022 F-150 vehicles may exhibit a Reverse Brake Assist Unavailable message displayed that will not clear when DTCs are not present and the vehicle has been road tested to relearn the steering wheel angle center.
Some 2021 Mustang Mach-E/F-150 vehicles may exhibit a Reverse Brake Assist Unavailable message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) with missing active guide lines in the reverse camera display.
Software Update 1 (SU1) for 2021 Model Year F-150 vehicles is now available. Involves: Trail Light Check Popup Messages, Remote Start Battery Drain, Zone Lighting Battery Drain, Neutral Tow Select Ability, Contrast improvements to analog rear view camera
What owners wrote
“Rear view camera and the 360 camera does not work at all on my 2021 Ford F-150 It says return to dealership for repair”
Filed Jul 8, 2025
“Rearview camera does black out sometimes takes 10 minutes to load any info including radio and camera. Radio and camera tries to reload but usually takes 5 minutes for the screen to load up. Causing no rearview camera visibility”
Filed May 10, 2025
“Rear backup camera and distance sensors stopped working. The issue is intermittent This issue could have resulted in an accident or injury/fatality due to no image sensor information No dealer involvement at this time No outside inspections at this time No prior warnings or messages were given before the failure”
Filed Feb 10, 2025
“After recent software updates sent out by Ford, my rear view camera display freezes and sometimes displays a distorted image. The freezing image makes it difficult to judge the distance between the vehicle and objects behind it, and it can also give the driver the impression that the road behind them is clear when it is not.”
Filed Jul 5, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 26 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 94 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 85 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 80 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 67 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 64 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 51 reports
- Windshield wipers stop working 35 reports
- Fuel pump failure 31 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 30 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 29 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 26 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 25 reports