Defects include inverted, distorted or blank rear camera images

• Recall covers multiple Ford and Lincoln models built between 2015 and 2019

• Defects include inverted, distorted or blank rear camera images

• Automaker has logged 18 accidents linked to the issue but no injuries

Widespread recall announced

Ford is recalling 1.9 million vehicles globally to fix faulty rearview cameras, the automaker confirmed Tuesday in a filing with U.S. safety regulators. The latest action affects a wide range of 2015 through 2019 Ford and Lincoln models after reports of distorted, inverted or blank images that can compromise visibility.

The recall includes about 1.45 million vehicles in the United States, 122,000 in Canada, and roughly 300,000 in other international markets. Models affected include the Lincoln MKC, Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, Expedition, Edge, Transit, Transit Connect, Econoline, Ranger, and the Super Duty lineup of F-250 through F-550 pickups.

Accidents linked to faulty cameras

Ford said it has received 44,123 warranty claims worldwide related to the defective rearview cameras and identified 18 accidents tied to the issue. No injuries have been reported. Dealers will inspect and replace the cameras as part of the recall.

The problem is the latest in a string of rear-camera defects Ford has faced in recent years. In April, the company recalled 160,000 vehicles from the 2015 model year over camera failures.

Regulatory scrutiny and penalties

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been investigating Fords handling of camera-related recalls since 2021, when the agency launched a probe into whether the company acted quickly enough. Ford has already expanded earlier recalls in 2022 and again in March 2024.

Last November, Ford agreed to pay a $165 million civil penalty after NHTSA determined the company failed to recall vehicles with camera defects in a timely manner.

Broader industry impact

The safety agency also announced that Canadian auto parts supplier Magna International is recalling more than 250,000 rearview cameras installed in select Ford and Stellantis vehicles.

Models included in Fords rearview camera recall (20152019)

• Ford Mustang

• Ford Expedition

• Ford Edge

• Ford Transit

• Ford Transit Connect

• Ford Econoline

• Ford Ranger

• Ford Super Duty trucks (F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550)

• Lincoln MKC

• Lincoln Navigator

The bipartisan measure promises an end to abusive 'trigger leads'

President Trump has signed bipartisan consumer protection legislation that promises and end to abusive"trigger leads," the odious practice in which consumers are inundated with phone calls and text messages from mortgage lenders, just seconds after they apply for a mortgage.

It happens because credit reporting agencies sell the lead of this mortgage credit inquiry to data brokers, without the consent of consumers, a practice that the new law prohibits.

Buying a house is already one of the most stressful purchases people will ever make: no-one wants to get hundreds of spam phone calls, emails, and text messages, just because a credit reporting agency sold their data to make a quick buck," saidSharon Cornelissen, Director of Housing at the Consumer Federation of America,This bill is an important win for the privacy of homebuyers across the country. By putting strong restrictions on trigger leads, it helps ensure that consumers can shop for the best mortgage without being harassed or overwhelmed.

Rep. John Rose (R-TN) reintroduced the measure, H.R. 2808, in April, withRep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), cosponsoring it.

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act strikes the right balance in my view,Rep. Rose said. It protects potential homebuyers from unsolicited, predatory, sales tactics while preserving fair competition.Once signed into law, it will make a big difference for those Tennesseans who are attempting to buy a home.

What Changes for Consumers

1. Far Fewer Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts

• Right now, when you apply for a mortgage, your credit inquiry can trigger credit bureaus to sell your info to dozens of lenders.

• After March 2026, only lenders with your consent or an existing relationship can contact you.

• That means:

  • No more spam storm of offers after a mortgage application.

  • Your inbox, phone, and text messages should stay much quieter.

2. More Control Over Your Data

• Consumers will now control who sees their credit application details.

• Only lenders you already do business with (e.g., your bank, credit union, or current mortgage servicer) will have access unless you explicitly give consent.

• This restores a measure of privacy and trust in the homebuying process.

3. Stronger Protections Against & Fraud

• Trigger leads have been exploited by predatory lenders and scammers posing as your actual lender.

• By restricting who can access your data, the law helps reduce risk of identity theft and mortgage fraud.

What Wont Change

• Youll still get offers from lenders you choose to engage with (e.g., through a pre-approval or application).

• Legitimate firm offers of credit (such as prequalified loan letters) are still allowed, but only if they meet the new requirements.

• Credit bureaus remain central to the mortgage process, but their data-sharing powers are now narrowed.

Buying a Home in 2026: The Consumer Experience

Heres what a typical consumer might experience starting next spring:

1. Apply for a mortgage only the lender(s) you approached (and possibly your current bank/credit union) can see your info.

2. Evaluate offers you wont be buried under dozens of random solicitations, just the ones you requested or from institutions you already trust.

3. Communicate securely less confusion about whos legitimate, since the random imposter calls pretending to be your lender should dry up.

Whats Coming Next: GAO Study

• By September 2026, the Government Accountability Office must deliver a report to Congress on:

  • Whether any residual benefits of trigger leads exist (e.g., competition, consumer choice).

  • The impact on text-based solicitations, which have been especially aggressive.

  • Recommendations for further reforms, if needed.

That study could shape future tweaks to the law for example, expanding protections or tightening rules around digital marketing.

A rate cut would reduce rates on credit cards, home equity lines and personal loans

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Fed cuts expectedbut size debated: Markets almost fully price in a 0.25 percentage-point rate cut at the Federal Reserve's September 1617 meeting, though a larger 50-bp cut now holds about a 14% probability.

• Reason for the shift: A weak August jobs reportwith only 22,000 positions added and rising unemploymenthas shifted the Feds focus toward supporting employment, even amid inflation concerns.

• Consumer impact: If the Fed cuts rates, consumers could see relief on short-term borrowing costs like credit cards and personal loansbut long-term rates like mortgages may respond sluggishly or remain influenced by bond yields, inflation, and broader economic forces.

The stage is set for the Federal Reserves next policy move at its September 2025 meeting next week, and market sentiment strongly suggests that rate cuts are imminent.

Investors and analysts are nearly unanimous in expecting a quarter-point (25-basis-point) rate cut. The CME Groups FedWatch tool and recent market signals show cut probability approaching certainty for that amount.

However, an unexpected half-point cut (50 basis points) is also in play. Markets suggest a roughly 14% chance of such an aggressive move amid intensifying concerns about a potential economic slowdown.

What fueled this shift?

• Soft Job Market: The August employment report delivered a blowjust 22,000 jobs added and rising unemployment. This has intensified pressure on the Fed to act in the name of labor stability.

• Inflation Still a Factor: While inflation remains above the Feds 2% target, recent data (e.g., jumps in producer prices) suggest that aggressive cuts may be unwarranted. Thus, a moderate approach the 25-bp cut is seen as most likely.

What it means for consumers

• Short-Term Borrowing Costs: A Fed rate cut translates to the prime rate and overnight bank interest rates, which influence credit cards, home equity lines, personal loans, and other variable-rate products. These could drop fairly quickly after a Fed move.

• Long-Term Loans (Mortgages, Auto Loans): Mortgage buyers may see less immediate benefit. Long-term interest rates are more tied to bond markets than to the Fed's benchmark rate. As a result, mortgage and auto loan rates may fall slowly or not at all, depending on broader economic dynamics.

• Spillover Benefits Over Time: Rate cuts can stimulate economic activity and borrowingeventually easing consumer costsbut the effects often unfold over several months to a couple of years.

Fed report finds employees less confident about job prospects

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• After the Great Resignation of 20212022, when millions of workers quit their jobs each month, more employees are now choosing to stay put for the sake of stability.

• A Federal Reserve Bank of New York report shows rising fears of job loss (14.5%, above the 12-month average) and a sharp drop in perceived chances of finding new work (down 5.8 points to 44.9%), especially among workers with only a high school education.

• Lower turnover reduces hiring costs, but experts warn that employees hugging their jobs may feel stuck, leading to disengagement, though some see this as a cultural shift toward valuing security and worklife balance.

During the pandemic, employees were on the move, in what was dubbed The Great Resignation. Things are different now, however

A new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found many employees worried about finding another job. According to the report, the mean perceived probability of losing ones job in the next 12 months ticked up by 0.1 percentage point to 14.5%.

The reading is above the series 12-month trailing average of 14.0%. The mean probability of leaving ones job voluntarily in the next 12 months decreased by 0.1 percentage point to 18.9%, remaining slightly below its 12-month trailing average of 19.0%.

The mean perceived probability of finding a job if ones current job was lost fell markedly by 5.8 percentage points to 44.9%, the lowest reading since the start of the series in June 2013, the report states. The decline was broad-based across age, education, and income groups, but it was most pronounced for those with at most a high school education.

The findings are a stark reversal from 2021 to 2022, when at one point, 4.5 million employees a month were handing in their resignations, sometimes without moving into another position.

Job-hugging

Instead of job hopping, some human resource specialists see the trend in todays workforce as job hugging, with employees looking for stability. After years of pandemic uncertainty, inflation, and high-profile layoffs in industries from tech to media, many employees are clinging to their current positions for a sense of security.

According to recent survey data from HR consultancy firms, nearly 60% of employees who considered switching jobs in 2024 ultimately decided against it, citing concerns about economic instability and fear of being the last in, first out if layoffs occurred.

Employers see a shift

For employers, job-hugging presents a paradox. On the one hand, reduced turnover lowers recruitment costs and keeps teams stable. On the other hand, managers report that employees who feel stuck rather than engaged may show signs of disengagement, lower productivity, or quiet resentment.

The rise of job-hugging also reflects cultural changes. After years of hustle culture and constant job-hopping, some employees are choosing a slower career pace. Social media trends emphasize worklife balance, financial prudence, and mental health. Yet critics worry that job-hugging may stall innovation and professional growth.

Whether job-hugging is a temporary response to turbulent times or the beginning of a longer cultural shift remains to be seen. Some economists predict that once markets stabilize, workers will resume seeking better opportunities, reigniting competition for talent. Others believe a new appreciation for stability could reshape how companies think about retention, benefits, and career development.

Metabolic Meals has issued a recall of the popular products

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Multi-state outbreak: A Salmonella outbreak has been linked to ready-to-eat meals from Metabolic Meals, a meal delivery service.

• Dozens sickened: Health officials have reported multiple confirmed cases across several states, with more investigations underway.

• Company response: Metabolic Meals has issued a voluntary recall and is cooperating with health authorities.

A multi-state outbreak of Salmonella infections has been traced to meals distributed by Metabolic Meals, a popular subscription-based meal delivery service. Health officials confirmed that dozens of people across several states have fallen ill after consuming certain ready-to-eat products, raising concerns about food safety in the booming meal delivery industry.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that they are investigating clusters of gastrointestinal illness linked to specific Metabolic Meals products shipped in late August. As of this week, more than 30 cases of Salmonella infection have been confirmed in at least five states, with additional reports under review. Several people required hospitalization, though no deaths have been reported.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. While most people recover without treatment, the illness can be severe, especially for young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

Company response

Metabolic Meals, which delivers pre-made meals nationwide, has issued a voluntary recall of select products distributed between August 20 and September 5. Customers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers for affected items and either dispose of them or return them for a full refund.

In a statement, the company said it is working closely with federal and state health officials to determine the source of the contamination and to ensure the safety of all products going forward. The company has also temporarily suspended operations at one of its production facilities while the investigation continues.

What to do

Health experts at the CDC are urging anyone who has consumed Metabolic Meals and developed symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, or abdominal pain to seek medical attention. Consumers are also advised to practice safe food handling, including keeping ready-to-eat meals refrigerated at proper temperatures and washing hands thoroughly before and after eating.

The CDC is expected to release further updates as additional test results become available. In the meantime, consumers can find a full list of recalled products on the FDAs official website.