Ford recalled 144,516 Maverick pickup trucks in the United States because the rear-view camera image could freeze while the vehicle was reversing, creating a misleading picture of what was behind it.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration assigned campaign number 24V-684 to the action, which Ford called recall 24S59. It covered certain model-year 2022 to 2024 Maverick vehicles equipped with the Connected Touch Radio system and built between February 3, 2021, and November 28, 2023.
Why a frozen image creates a safety risk
A working reversing camera should show a live view. If the last frame remains on the display while the truck continues to move, a driver may believe the path is clear even though a person, vehicle or object has entered it. Drivers must still use mirrors and direct observation, but federal safety rules require the camera system to perform correctly.
Ford told regulators that improper memory handling in the radio software could cause the image to freeze. The defect did not necessarily produce a blank screen or an obvious warning, which made it possible for a static frame to be mistaken for current video.
Incidents and the remedy
At the time of the filing, Ford was aware of two accident reports associated with the issue and reported no injuries. A recall does not mean every affected truck experienced the defect, and the absence of reported injuries does not eliminate the risk that prompted the action.
Dealers were instructed to update the Connected Touch Radio software without charge. Owner notification letters were scheduled to be mailed between September 30 and October 4, 2024. Repairs and campaign availability can change, so an owner should use the vehicle identification number rather than relying on model year alone.
How owners can check a Maverick
Owners can enter the 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall website or Ford’s owner-support site. A VIN search is more reliable than a general list because production date, equipment and earlier repair status determine whether a specific vehicle remains covered.
If the recall is open, the owner should contact an authorised Ford or Lincoln dealer and refer to 24S59. Recall work is performed free of charge. A driver who sees a frozen or delayed image should not treat cycling the ignition as a permanent repair and should take extra care while reversing until the software has been corrected.
What this recall shows about vehicle software
The campaign involved a display function controlled by software rather than a conventional broken camera lens. Modern vehicles integrate safety equipment with infotainment hardware, memory management and software updates, so a programming error can create a physical-world hazard.
That makes version control and repair confirmation important. An update should be recorded against the VIN, and owners should retain the service invoice even when the amount due is zero. Used-vehicle buyers can also check the VIN for open recalls before purchase.
The recall notice remains useful historical information, but it is not a current status report for every Maverick. Some trucks will already have been repaired, while others may still have an open campaign if they missed the original letter.
Source: NHTSA recall 24V-684. Ford’s manufacturer reference is 24S59.
