The accessory protocol image module fitted to 2020 to 2024 model year Lincoln Aviator sport utility vehicles can be affected by electromagnetic interference from any given phone. This, in turn, causes the rearview camera image to become distorted or flicker, therefore prompting a recall.
Ford Motor Company is recalling 109,283 units of the pre-facelift Aviator, namely all vehicles produced for the US market from October 19, 2018 through April 25, 2024. The touchscreen infotainment system of said vehicles was supplied by Panasonic Automotive Systems Co. of America.
FoMoCo started looking into reports of poor rearview video display on February 6, 2024. Through April 2024, the Dearborn-based automaker conducted many tests to quantify the influence of the phone's radio frequencies on the performance of the accessory protocol image module. Testing revealed that distorted or flickering images are dependent on the cellular signal strength, specific phone usage, and the phone's location.
The worst-case scenario is using the phone in close proximity to the cupholder area during an active call with poor signal. Prior to filing the recall documentation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the manufacturer was aware of 478 reports of distorted video feed or flickering. Separately, five VOQs (vehicle owner questionnaires) were filed with the NHTSA.
Photo: Lincoln Motor Company
Thankfully for affected customers, FoMoCo isn't aware of any reports of injuries attributed to the recall condition. However, Ford is aware of a single report alleging minor property damage. How are dealers going to fix this problem? As it happens, affected vehicles will have electromagnetic shielding installed on the accessory protocol image module. Said electromagnetic shield protects against interference in the 1.6 to 2.7 GHz band.
It's not clear if the 2025 model year mid-cycle refresh comes with said electromagnetic shield. Owners of 2020 to 2024 models will be informed via first-class mail no later than July 8. Owners can also take matters into their own hands by entering the 17-character VIN on the Lincoln brand's online recall portal.
The biggest change over the pre-facelift Aviator is the lack of a hybrid powertrain. It's quite a curious development, more so when you remember that hybrid vehicle demand is on the rise to the detriment of battery-electric vehicles. Known as Grand Touring, the hybrid version of the 2020 to 2024 model year Lincoln Aviator is a plug-in hybrid built around the Ford Motor Company's 3.0L TT V6.
Said engine comes with no assistance whatsoever for model year 2025, meaning that customers are presented with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet (563 Nm) of torque at full chatter. It's connected to the Ford 10R automatic transmission that GM refers to as the 10L. Despite being a unibody, the Aviator is pretty good in terms of towing. With the standard Class III Trailer Tow Package, the max rating is 5,000 pounds or 2,268 kilos in the metric system.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News