What year did Ford start putting backup cameras in cars?
Ford began equipping its new cars with rear-view backup cameras with the 2014 model year, aligning with a federal safety rule requiring cameras on new light vehicles. This article traces the steps Ford took—from limited early implementations to widespread standardization across its lineup—and what that change means for drivers today.
Timeline of Ford's backup-camera adoption
Here are the key milestones in how Ford moved from selective availability to standard equipment.
- Late 2000s: A handful of Ford models offered rear-view cameras as optional equipment on specific trims.
- 2014 model year: Ford made rear-view cameras standard on the vast majority of its new vehicles, in line with the U.S. federal FMVSS 111 requirement.
- Post-2014: Ford continued to expand camera-related features across its lineup, offering more camera views and integrated parking aids on higher trims.
In summary, Ford's move to standard backup cameras began with the 2014 model year, reflecting the national safety mandate and the company's broader push toward advanced driver-assistance features.
Summary
Ford's adoption timeline centers on 2014 as the pivotal year when standard rear-view cameras became the norm across its U.S. lineup, driven by federal regulation. Earlier in the 2000s, cameras appeared only as options on select models, but since 2014, virtually all new Ford vehicles have included them as standard equipment.
What year did backup cameras become mandatory?
2018
Backup cameras have been regulated by law in Canada and the United States since 2018. Since May of that year, backup cameras have been required on all new vehicles sold in the United States.
What year did they start installing backup cameras in cars?
2002
However, the first production car with a backup camera wouldn't arrive until 1991 when the Toyota Soarer debuted in Japan. The U.S. market wouldn't see a passenger vehicle with a backup cam until the introduction of the 2002 Infiniti Q45 sedan.
What vehicle has the first backup camera?
1991 Toyota Soarer
The 1991 Toyota Soarer (Limited) was the world's first production vehicle with a backup camera.
