Ford announced it is recalling 4.4 million trucks, SUVs, and vans due to a problem where those vehicles could lose their braking and trailer lights while towing. The problem increases the likelihood of a crash, the company notes.
The automaker, which set a record for product recalls in 2025, said certain 2021-2026 Ford F-150, 2022-2026 Ford F-250 Super Duty, Expedition, Maverick, and Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2026 Ford Rangers, and 2026 Ford E-Transit models are subject to the recall.
The affected vehicles were produced during specific periods, but they are different for each affected truck or SUV. The issue is related to “software vulnerability,” according to the company. Ford said it is unaware of any accidents, injuries, or fires related to the issue; however, there have been 407 incidents that may be related.
“When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function,” the company wrote in a report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”
If the driver loses trailer braking function, it reduces their ability to control the attached trailer, increasing the risk of a crash, according to the report. The software issue allows for a potential race condition to occur between the ITRM and the CAN Standy Control bit (STBCC) during initial power-up. If this condition occurs, the module will be powered on but unable to communicate with the vehicle.
The driver will see a pop-up message on the instrument panel, which will indicate a trailer brake module fault and the turn signal will “fast flash.” A “Blind Spot Assist System fault” message may also appear. A software update is required to fix the problem. For the Lincoln Navigator, it can be done over the air, otherwise owners will need to bring their vehicles to a nearby Ford or Lincoln dealer.
[Images: Ford, Lincoln]
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