Tag Archives: blank instrument panel

2025 Nissan Frontier and Kicks Blank Center Information Display (CID)

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A potential safety concern has been identified in certain 2025 Nissan Frontier and Kicks vehicles, prompting a recall by the Japanese automaker. The issue revolves around the Center Information Display (CID) unit, which may display a blank screen when the transmission is shifted into reverse. This malfunction could lead to non-compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) for rear visibility, as the rear view camera image may not be displayed on the screen.

The problem was first reported in October 2024, when a field report alleged that a 2025 Kicks vehicle’s CID screen showed a blank screen at startup. Nissan investigated the issue and conducted various tests, including cold starts and placing the vehicle in reverse. The results revealed that the rear view image was not displayed on the screen, and the “Camera” button did not display the Around View Monitor image. Further analysis, including bench testing, was conducted to determine the root cause of the problem.

After collecting additional field reports and inspecting the affected parts, Nissan concluded that an intermittent communication error could exist between the In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) system and the CID modules. This error may result in a blank screen, rendering the rear view camera intermittently inoperable. The company worked with its supplier to develop software to address the concern and identified a similar issue on specific Japan market models equipped with the same IVI system.

To rectify the problem, Nissan has decided to conduct a recall for vehicles equipped with the subject CID in the U.S. market. Dealers will update the software on the vehicle’s center information display to correct the issue. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on July 1, 2025. The manufacturer numbers for this recall are PD152 and PMA48, and the NHTSA campaign number is 25V-324. Vehicle owners who receive notification letters should schedule an appointment with their local dealer to have the software update performed as soon as possible.

Software Error Causes Rear View Camera Issues In Ford and Lincoln Vehicles

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A software error has been identified as the cause of rear view camera problems in certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles, prompting a field action to update the affected systems. The issue can cause the rear view camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse, potentially increasing the risk of accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) first contacted Ford about the problem in January 2025, after receiving 37 vehicle owner questionnaires (VOQs) regarding rear-view camera complaints on 2021-2023 Model Year Ford F-150 vehicles. An investigation by Ford’s Automotive Safety Office revealed that 15 of these complaints alleged a frozen rear-view camera image while in reverse, with an additional 18 related to SYNC and/or APIM concerns.

Further review by Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) and the SYNC engineering team led to the identification of the causal factors as specific SYNC4 software variants between 1.7 and 1.9. A read-across analysis revealed that other vehicle lines also utilized the affected software versions, resulting in a total of 232 warranty claims in North America.

The affected vehicles include various Ford models, such as the Bronco, F-150, Edge, Escape, and Expedition, as well as Lincoln models like the Nautilus, Navigator, and Corsair. The issue is caused by a software error in the accessory protocol interface module (APIM), which will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update.

According to Ford, one minor crash resulting in property damage has been reported, but no injuries have been linked to this concern. To address the issue, Ford will be conducting a field action, with interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk expected to be mailed on June 16, 2025. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated for the third quarter of 2025.

Vehicle owners can identify this recall by Ford’s number, 25S49, and the NHTSA campaign number, 25V-315. It is essential for affected vehicle owners to take note of this issue and follow the instructions provided by Ford to ensure their rear view camera system is updated and functioning correctly to minimize the risk of accidents.

The vehicles affected include:

  • 2021-2024 Ford Bronco
  • 2021-2024 Ford F-150
  • 2021-2024 Ford Edge
  • 2023-2024 Ford Escape
  • 2023-2024 Ford F-250 SD
  • 2023-2024 Ford F-350 SD
  • 2023-2024 Ford F-450 SD
  • 2023-2024 Ford F-550 SD
  • 2023-2024 Ford F-600 SD
  • 2022-2024 Ford Expedition
  • 2022-2025 Ford Transit
  • 2021-2023 Ford Mach-E
  • 2024 Ford Ranger
  • 2024 Ford Mustang
  • 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus
  • 2022-2024 Lincoln Navigator
  • 2023-2024 Lincoln Corsair

In summary, a software error has been identified as the cause of rear view camera problems in certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles, and a field action has been initiated to update the affected systems. Vehicle owners are advised to be aware of this issue and take necessary steps to ensure their safety on the road.

2024 Ford Mustang Low Voltage Problem

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The 2024 Ford Mustang has recently come under scrutiny due to a low voltage problem affecting the Remote Cluster Box (RCB). This issue can result in significant communication disruptions and software initialization problems that prevent the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) from functioning as intended. Here’s a breakdown of the problem and the potential risks.

The low voltage events impacting the 2024 Mustang can lead to the IPC failing to illuminate during vehicle startup or a drive cycle. When this occurs, the IPC goes completely dark, leaving the driver without crucial information, such as telltales and gauges. These elements are essential for the safe operation of the vehicle and are regulated under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), including:

  • FMVSS 101: Controls and displays
  • FMVSS 102: Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect
  • FMVSS 108, 126, 135, 138, and 208: Additional standards related to lighting, electronic stability control, braking, tire pressure, and occupant protection

The malfunctioning IPC means safety-related telltales and gauges, like those for speed, fuel level, or warning indicators, become unreadable. This significantly raises the risk of a crash, as the driver cannot access critical safety information.

Problem Chronology

The timeline of events provides insight into how Ford discovered and began addressing the issue:

  1. August 20, 2024: The Flat Rock Assembly Plant’s Plant Vehicle Team (PVT) identified the IPC illumination problem during an analysis of warranty claims. The issue was escalated to Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) for a thorough review.
  2. August to October 2024: The CCRG conducted an extensive warranty claims analysis, examining whether similar problems affected other Ford vehicle lines using the same type of IPC. Fortunately, no other models showed the same failure.
  3. June 11 to October 7, 2024: Ford identified 58 warranty claims related to this issue in Mustang vehicles. Notably, there were no Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reported for this condition.
  4. October 18, 2024: The concern was presented to Ford’s Field Review Committee, which approved a field action to address the defect.

Although Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries linked to the low voltage problem, the malfunction poses a significant safety risk. A non-illuminated IPC can make it impossible for drivers to monitor vital vehicle functions, potentially leading to hazardous situations on the road. The inability to see essential gauges or receive visual warnings compromises the driver’s ability to respond appropriately to changing vehicle conditions.

Ford dealers will update the IPC software to ensure the cluster functions correctly, eliminating the risk of low voltage events causing display failures.

  • Owner Notifications: Ford plans to mail notification letters to affected Mustang owners starting November 11, 2024.
  • Recall Information: The recall is identified by Ford as 24C35 and registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under campaign number 24V-802.

If you own a 2024 Ford Mustang, it is crucial to stay informed about this recall and ensure your vehicle receives the necessary software update. This simple fix will help keep your Mustang safe and compliant with federal safety regulations.

Jeep Gladiator And Wrangler Instrument Panel Failure

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Jeep Instrument Panel FailureFiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) US have decided that there is a safety related problem affecting certain 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The recall was prompted by an issue that could cause the instrument panel cluster (IPC) to fail, leading to a blank display. This defect may occur due to an internal short circuit, which could compromise the instrument panel’s functionality and cause the vehicle to fall out of compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 101, which governs controls and displays in vehicles.

The problem was first identified by FCA’s Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) organization, which had received reports of blank IPCs in affected models. Following this, the TSRC conducted a detailed analysis, including reviewing patterns of IPC failures and performing warranty part return inspections. After collaborating with suppliers and conducting rigorous testing, it was determined that the IPCs in certain vehicles might experience an internal short circuit, causing the display to go blank unexpectedly.

A non-functional instrument panel cluster is a serious concern, as it can result in drivers losing access to critical vehicle information such as speed, fuel levels, and warning indicators. This increases the risk of accidents and reduces the driver’s ability to make informed decisions while operating the vehicle.

On August 30, 2024, FCA US decided, through its Vehicle Regulations Committee, to issue a safety recall for the affected vehicles. The recall applies to Jeep Wrangler models manufactured between 2018 and 2024, as well as Jeep Gladiator models produced from 2020 to 2024. To address the issue, FCA will replace the faulty instrument panel cluster in affected vehicles.

The recall is identified as FCA campaign number 30B, and the corresponding National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign number is 24V-652.

Blank Instrument Display in Select 2024 Buick and Chevrolet Vehicles

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Owners of certain 2024 Buick and Chevrolet models should be aware of a critical software issue affecting their vehicles. This concern, primarily impacting the Buick Encore GX, Buick Envista, and Chevrolet Trax, has prompted a safety recall due to the risk of instrument panel displays going blank, either at startup or while driving.

In August 2023, General Motors’ Safety and Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) initially addressed this issue through a service update bulletin. The bulletin aimed to update the Virtual Cockpit Unit (VCU) software in the affected models. However, this measure escalated to a safety recall after an intervention by the Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute (KATRI).

During a meeting in September 2023 between GM Korea representatives and KATRI officials, KATRI determined that the issue warranted a safety recall rather than a mere service update. This decision was influenced by the potential danger posed by the software malfunction.

To date, GM has received 255 global complaints regarding the instrument panel blackout, though, fortunately, there have been no reported accidents or injuries related to this issue. Nonetheless, the risk cannot be understated. A blackout of the instrument panel while driving can dangerously divert the driver’s attention, escalating the risk of a crash.

Affected vehicle owners will be notified about the recall, identified by GM’s number A232424320 and the NHTSA campaign number 23V-744. To resolve the issue, owners can opt for a dealer visit to update the VCU software or choose an over-the-air (OTA) update.

The initiative to convert the service update into a safety recall underscores the importance of proactive safety measures in the automotive industry. The issue of the blank instrument displays in select 2024 Buick and Chevrolet vehicles is concerning and vehicle owners are encouraged to respond promptly to the notice to ensure their safety on the road.