Ford Issues Recall for 1.7 Million Vehicles Due to Problems with Touchscreens and Backup Cameras: TDS

      Ford

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      Good morning and welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short.

      TDS focuses on providing you with the top headlines from the global automotive industry in a brief bulletin that’s easy to digest, ideally enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee. Each topic includes a link for those interested in a more detailed read. I'm settling in with my own cup, so let’s dive in.

      🚘 What I’m driving: A Subaru Ascent, an older model that first went on sale in 2018. Nonetheless, I’m enjoying my time with it. Perhaps it's due to the terrible weather we've had in the Northeast over the past week; it’s a nice place to be while it’s raining.

      📹 Ford is recalling nearly 890,000 vehicles, including the Escape and Explorer, as well as the Lincoln Corsair and Aviator, due to infotainment systems that may show inverted images. Additionally, about 850,000 Edge and Bronco SUVs are being recalled for overheating infotainment control modules. Both problems affect the functionality of rear-view cameras, which is the specific concern outlined in their NHTSA recall reports. Last fall, Ford recalled around 1.4 million vehicles for malfunctioning backup cameras, related to the hardware itself, which required replacements. In contrast, the company plans to address the current recalls via an over-the-air software update.

      🪑 There’s some reshuffling at Stellantis this morning, with Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell departing for “personal reasons,” according to a press release. She will be replaced by Matt McAlear, who already oversees Dodge. McAlear will not leave Dodge for Chrysler; instead, he will take on both roles along with a new position as the head of Alfa Romeo North America.

      ⚡ Denso, a supplier for Toyota, has offered $8.3 million for Rohm, a Japanese semiconductor manufacturer that specializes in power control chips, as reported by Reuters. This move is a key strategic initiative as automakers continue to strengthen their silicon supply chains in light of the pandemic-induced shortages and potential future risks.

      🐹 The national supply of 2025 Kia Souls has significantly decreased to double digits, according to Automotive News, about five months after Kia announced it would discontinue the model.

      🔌 On the topic of Kia, we shared in TDS yesterday that U.S. sales of the fast-accelerating EV6 GT would be halted due to tariffs. Kia has now confirmed that the EV9 GT-Line will also be added to that list. This announcement follows Hyundai’s decision that only the Ioniq 6 N version of the electric sedan would continue to be sold in the U.S.

      🇩🇪 Audi has stopped accepting orders for its A8 sedan in Germany, as reported by Motor1, indicating an uncertain future for this once flagship model.

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