Faulty backup cameras are plaguing tens of millions of US cars. PUBLISHED: August 13, 2026 at 7:47 PM EDT UPDATED: August 13, 2026 at 7:50 PM EDT By Amy Stillman and Max Rivera, Bloomberg News A Tesla Model 3 hit a cement pole after the rearview camera failed. The driver of a Ford pickup scraped a light post in reverse. A Toyota minivan's backup display showed old images instead of live ones. These are among the roughly 2,000 complaints consumers have lodged with U.S. auto safety regulators describing problems with glitchy rearview camera systems, a figure that's surged recently. Recalls over faulty backup cameras have similarly soared since the U.S. mandated the safety systems eight years ago. Automakers have recalled approximately 21 million vehicles in that span, including almost 6 million just last year, according to a Bloomberg analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data. That number balloons to nearly 28 million when including other vehicle types that are subject to the backup camera mandate, such as recreational vehicles and small buses, according to NHTSA. The stark figures make clear: Backup camera systems are one of the most error-prone features of modern automobiles. "The more complicated this technology becomes, the more failure points that potentially can occur," said Chris Harvey, senior vice president for Sedgwick, a third-party claims administrator that works with companies on product recalls. Once an optional feature on high-end cars, cameras are now standard on new vehicles at every price. The mandate stemmed from a 2008 law signed by President George W. Bush directing regulators to help prevent pedestrian deaths and injuries caused by backup collisions - particularly, those involving children. The cameras can also help drivers parallel park or ensure a kid's bike wasn't left carelessly in the driveway. Yet for many car owners, faulty cameras have proven a major nuisance. The systems ranked in the top 10 most-troublesome vehicle features in every year since 2022, according to researcher JD Power. The buggy systems are emblematic of persistent struggles carmakers have experienced while adding tech-forward features ranging from touchscreens to parking sensors. Problems often stem from how displays, processors and wiring interact with one another, Harvey said. Vehicle infotainment systems - often presented to the driver as a touchscreen that contains both vehicle information and cabin entertainment - ranked among the top reasons for consumer complaints in JD Power's latest Initial Quality Study. Infotainment systems were also the only category experiencing an increase in reported problems in the researcher's 2026 study. Although complaints about rearview cameras are categorized separately by JD Power, buggy infotainment systems can sometimes prevent the rearview image from being displayed on the main infotainment screen in the center of the dashboard. "It's not necessarily the backup camera itself that is failing. The issue is that there are problems with that big computer in the middle of every car," said Jake Fisher, senior director of automotive testing at Consumer Reports. Malfunctions can stem from a variety of underlying faults, including software issues and manufacturing missteps. In March, Ford Motor Co. recalled about 1.7 million vehicles in two separate campaigns over issues affecting rearview cameras. In one callback, the rearview camera images appeared reversed. In the other, an overheating component could cause the infotainment screen to go blank. In May, Honda Motor Co. recalled nearly 60,000 electric vehicles over a manufacturing flaw that could allow water or debris to enter the camera. As vehicles become more connected, with Wi-Fi and digital services, defects are increasingly becoming tied to software, said Harvey of Sedgwick. "That's only going to continue," he said. (C) 2026 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Honda Prelude review: a graceful comeback that could go harder. Honda's decision to revive the Prelude nameplate in the electrified era comes with big expectations. This is a car trading heavily on heritage: a sleek hybrid coupe that promises "unlimited glide", driver involvement and an elegant, long-distance GT flavour. In terms of looks and handling, it largely delivers on that brief - but keen drivers may find themselves wishing for more power. Visually, the Prelude makes a strong first impression. The glider-inspired silhouette - low roofline, long bonnet, clean surfacing and a full-width rear light bar - gives it a graceful, contemporary look that avoids retro pastiche. Racing Blue Pearl paint and the 19-inch alloys with blue Brembo calipers suit it particularly well. The Honda Prelude looks the part as its blue paintwork catches the Yorkshire sunshine in one of this summer's heatwaves The aero work is clearly more than skin deep, too. At motorway speeds the car feels stable and secure, with very little wind noise. Inside, Honda has gone for a driver-focused but largely minimalist approach. The low, wide dashboard echoes the wingspan theme, improving forward visibility and making it easy to place the car on the road. The 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster is crisp and clear, and the nine-inch central touchscreen is fast enough and not festooned with gimmicky graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integrate smoothly, and physical controls for key functions spare you the worst of menu-diving. The Bose audio system is a highlight: rich, well-controlled sound that suits the coupe's GT persona, and a nice counterpoint to the quiet hybrid drivetrain in normal use. The Honda Prelude The front seats deserve a mention. Honda has differentiated driver and passenger chairs subtly - the driver gets firmer bolsters and a more supportive base, the passenger a slightly softer, easier-access design. In the back, space is just about passable for adults on shorter trips and fine for children. Under the skin sits Honda's latest 2.0-litre e:HEV hybrid powertrain, producing 184PS and 315Nm of torque. On a spec sheet that translates to 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds - adequate in isolation, but disappointing for a coupe trading on the Prelude name. In everyday driving the car feels smooth and responsive enough, yet when you ask for everything it has, there's never that satisfying surge you'd hope for from something with such overtly sporting styling. It's a powertrain that suits the car's calm, gliding brief, but leaves a gap between the way it looks and the way it accelerates. The Honda Prelude Honda's solution to the familiar "CVT feel" problem is the new S+ Shift system, which simulates virtual gear changes using the paddles on the steering wheel. Engaged, it brings a more familiar rhythm to acceleration, with distinct 'steps' and a more assertive engine note instead of continuous rev flare. It works better than you'd expect: the timing of each faux upshift and the way the sound builds have clearly been calibrated by people who care about how a car feels to drive. Even so, you're always aware that you're dealing with a clever simulation rather than a genuinely hard-charging powertrain. Enthusiasts will likely appreciate the extra involvement, but some may be left wanting more outright pace to go with the noise and theatre. Chassis-wise, the Prelude is more convincing. There's technology transfer from the Civic Type R in the suspension hardware and adaptive dampers, and it shows. The car feels nicely tied down without being crashy, with good control over body movements and very respectable ride quality for something sitting on 19-inch wheels. Steering is accurate and well weighted, giving you confidence on a twisty road. What stands out most is the sense of composure: the Prelude feels planted, predictable and happy to carry speed through flowing bends. If it isn't already, Honda should seriously consider making a more performance-orientated version of the Prelude, with at least another 75hp added to the current output. In that sense, let's hope this vehicle is a prelude to something more powerful! Honda Prelude Advance POWERTRAIN: 2.0-litre e:HEV full hybrid POWER: 184PS / 135kW TORQUE: 315Nm 0-62MPH: 8.2 seconds TOP SPEED: 117mph FUEL ECONOMY: 54.3mpg combined (WLTP) CO2 emissions: 117g/km combined PRICE: £40,180 More Stories

Honda Racing Corporation launches Heritage Racing Programme. New programme will handle sales, restoration, and support of legendary Honda/Acura endurance racers, starting this week in Monterey. 12 August 2026, 7:23 PM Honda Racing Corporation (HRC US) has announced the HRC Heritage Racing Programme, which will launch at Monterey Car Week in California. The new HRC Heritage Racing Programme offers sales, restoration, service and trackside support of Honda and Acura vintage racing cars that have won some of the biggest races around the world - including the legendary endurance races at Le Mans, Sebring, and Daytona. "Classic race cars never die, their myth and aura just grow, and the HRC Heritage Racing Programme is all about keeping our incredible Honda and Acura race cars doing what they were born to do ― race," said David Salters, the President of HRC US. "As the builder of these race-winning machines, and custodian of the original IP and knowledge, HRC is uniquely equipped to restore them to their original form, ensuring they can return to historic racing competition authentically and ready to be enjoyed by our customers and fans." And the first car up for sale through this new programme is the #26 Andretti Green Racing Acura ARX-01a, which took the LMP2 class victory in the 2007 Twelve Hours of Sebring - driven by Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta, and Tony Kanaan. It will headline HRC's display at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on Friday, 14 August. Adorned in its XM Satellite Radio livery (forerunner to today's SiriusXM), the Acura ARX-01a was Acura's first purpose-built endurance racing prototype for North American competition, with both the car and engine designed and developed by HRC in the United States. "The 2007 XM Acura ARX-01a made you feel like a hero, it made you feel like the best driver in the world, you just pushed harder and harder and it just kept coming back for more," said Franchitti. "It's just a pleasure to drive, the 2007 XM Acura ARX-01a is a special car for anyone who was lucky enough to get to drive it, and you can't say that for a lot of cars." Vehicle restoration through the HRC Heritage Racing Programme is carried out in meticulous detail, starting through each vehicle's original homologation documents, along with notes and photographs from the original HRC engineers who were involved in each project. The work is supported by extensive archives of technical data from HRC to ensure each car and engine is restored correctly. Each car is torn down and reassembled with new and reconditioned parts - with some updated materials in the interest of safety. Electronics are modernised, and the engines are rebuilt at HRC US' headquarters in Santa Clarita, California. After restoration, each vehicle is thoroughly track tested, with HRC engineers available for track support and to and assisting its new would-be owner in competition. "HRC restores these historic Honda and Acura race cars to a level enabling them to be driven and feel as original as possible, while still making some updates ― especially with regards to electronics," said John Whiteman, HRC US Commercial Manager. "Our approach maintains the authenticity of design and driving experience of these iconic race cars and adds modifications for safety performance and to ensure they are user-friendly for their new owners." More than 20 iconic Honda and Acura racing vehicles will be featured at Monterey Car Week from 12-16 August, including Motorlux, The Quail, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. These include race winners in Formula 1, IndyCar, MotoGP, IMSA, SCCA, SUPER GT, the Baja 1000, and Dakar Rally. These include endurance racing vehicles that have been restored by HRC, leading to the successful launch of the Heritage Racing Programme. The 2010 Strakka Racing Acura ARX-01c that won LMP2 at the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans will race at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion on Saturday, when Nick Yelloly, current star of the Acura Meyer Shank Racing GTP programme, drives the car in the Scott Pruett Legends event before the car is exhibited at Pebble Beach. Also on display is the Acura NSX GT3, chassis number 5, wearing the striking "Lady Liberty" livery as it did when MSR drivers Andy Lally and Katherine Legge took GTD class honors in the 2017 Six Hours of the Glen. HRC has also restored four Acura ARX-05 DPi prototypes which currently race in the Historic SportsCar Racing (HSR) Series, including a 2019 Acura Team Penske ARX-05 that will be exhibited - along with a 2001 Reynard 01i/Honda Champ Car, driven by the legendary Gil de Ferran to the 2001 CART Championship, and now owned by McLaren CEO Zak Brown. While currently focused on the restoration of historic endurance racers, HRC US plans to expand the new Heritage Racing Programme to include more historic Honda-powered IndyCar machines in the near future. Other historic sports cars that will be at Monterey Car Week include Comptech Racing's Spice/Acura GTP Lights prototype that won its class at Daytona and Sebring, Team Kunimitsu's 1996 Honda NSX GT2 from the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Raybrig Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX-GT which won the 2018 and 2020 SUPER GT GT500 championships. Images (C) Honda