Ford has just added another recall to an already lengthy list. This time, it’s the 2026 Ranger, with 11,405 units that could end up with a completely black center screen. The catch is that the backup camera feed can’t be displayed if that occurs, and it is legally required. What’s frustrating is that Ford doesn’t have a fix yet.
Affected Rangers were built between April 21 and September 3, 2026
A part suspected of being counterfeit is to blame
No remedy is available for now
Small Part, Big Problem
According to the report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 10.1-inch SYNC 4 infotainment screen can shut off without warning. When that happens, the camera image doesn’t appear when the driver shifts into reverse.
The cause? The report points to “a cracked multi-layer ceramic capacitor” on the screen’s printed circuit board. Put simply, that crack creates a short circuit that blows the display fuse.
What’s a little unsettling is that Ford‘s internal analysis found the capacitor contains materials suspected to be counterfeit and not to engineering specifications.
The screen’s supplier, Suzhou Dongshan Display, is based in China.
Triple Recall for the Ford F-150: More Than 223,500 Units Affected
It’s a good illustration of the risks that come with outsourcing. Automakers are handing more and more electronic components to outside suppliers to keep costs down, but in doing so, they give up some control over quality.
And when something goes wrong, they’re at the supplier’s mercy.
Owners Will Have to Wait
Ford caught wind of the problem in August and ran its own investigation to track down the source. So far, no repair has been confirmed. Owners will be contacted once a fix is ready.
Until then, it pays to be careful when backing up. A good old-fashioned look over the shoulder and a glance at the mirrors never hurt anyone.
Ford is closing in on 70 recalls so far this year, which still puts it as the industry leader. If there’s any good news, it’s that the automaker probably won’t break its own 2025 record of 153 campaigns.
