The Lemon IndexA blank, frozen or flickering backup camera is often a wiring or software problem.
Get it checked. Fine to drive, but back up carefully. Check for recalls: many cars have had camera recalls.
A damaged camera wiring harness (often in the tailgate or trunk lid). Then: a failed camera; software in the screen or radio unit.
Owners describe this in 5,462 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Ford Escape.
Cars owners report it on most
Complaints describing this symptom, by model, all years. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Model years that report it most
| Model year | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Ford Escape | 174 | 15% |
| 2015 Ford Escape | 131 | 11% |
| 2015 Ford Explorer | 116 | 6% |
| 2016 Ford Fusion | 115 | 7% |
| 2019 Ford Flex | 89 | 34% |
| 2014 Ford Escape | 61 | 3% |
| 2019 Ford F-Series | 59 | 2% |
| 2019 Honda Pilot | 52 | 6% |
| 2015 Ford Taurus | 50 | 17% |
| 2016 Ford F-Series | 48 | 2% |
| 2020 Ford Explorer | 48 | 4% |
| 2014 Ford Edge | 41 | 11% |
Each row is that model year's record in NHTSA complaints, not the history of any one car. Share = complaints describing this symptom out of every complaint we hold for that model year (shown when the year has 50+ complaints).
Where it makes up the biggest share
2019 Ford Flex · 34% 2020 Honda Ridgeline · 19% 2018 Honda Ridgeline · 18% 2015 Ford Taurus · 17% 2020 Audi A4 · 16% 2016 Ford Escape · 15% 2017 Ford Mustang · 14% 2018 Dodge Journey · 12%
Model years with 150+ complaints in our data and 10+ describing this symptom, ranked by share. A high share means owners of that year who complained often mentioned it.
The details
Common causes of backup camera not working
- A damaged camera wiring harness (often in the tailgate or trunk lid)
- A failed camera
- Software in the screen or radio unit
- Water inside the camera
- A loose connector
General causes, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause with tests before replacing parts.
Is it safe to drive if the backup camera is not working?
Get it checked. Fine to drive, but back up carefully. Check for recalls: many cars have had camera recalls.
Of the 5,462 complaints describing it, 3% mention a crash.
What the complaints show
The parts owners filed these complaints under: back over prevention (45%), electrical system (37%), visibility/wiper (7%), engine (3%). A complaint can list more than one.
Median odometer reading when owners reported it: 50,000 miles.
Most reports by make: Ford (2,166), Honda (521), Jeep (248), Chevrolet (247), Nissan (193).
What owners say it cost to fix
Repair bills owners named in complaints that describe this symptom (screen, radio & camera repairs): the middle half ran $535 to $1,600, typical $1,000, from 82 bills.
Each figure is one repair bill as an owner wrote it in a complaint, not a quote for your car. Prices vary with the part, the shop and the year.
Related symptoms
Touchscreen freezing or going black Car battery keeps dying Headlights not working All dashboard warning lights on Speedometer not working Power window not working
Quick answers
What causes backup camera not working?
A blank, frozen or flickering backup camera is often a wiring or software problem. Common causes: a damaged camera wiring harness (often in the tailgate or trunk lid); a failed camera; software in the screen or radio unit; water inside the camera; a loose connector.
Is it safe to drive if the backup camera is not working?
Get it checked. Fine to drive, but back up carefully. Check for recalls: many cars have had camera recalls.
Which cars have this problem most?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners describe it most on the Ford Escape, Ford F-Series and Ford Explorer. These are raw counts, so popular models rank higher; complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
How much does it cost to fix?
In 82 repair bills owners named in complaints describing it, the middle half ran $535 to $1,600. The right repair depends on the cause.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text describes this symptom (we matched owners' own wording, then read samples to check the matches). A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis or proof of a defect. Causes and advice are general information in our own words, not repair advice for your car. Every symptom · Engine code lookup