Summary
Ford is recalling 4.3 million U.S. pickup trucks and SUVs to fix a software error that can cause trailer brakes and exterior lights to stop working, increasing crash risk. The issue is tied to the Integrated Trailer Module (ITM), which can lose communication with the vehicle—often at startup—when a trailer is attached.
Affected vehicles
- 2021–2026 Ford F-150
- 2022–2026 Ford F-250 Super Duty
- Lincoln Navigator
- Ford Expedition
- Ford Maverick
- Some Ford Ranger
- Some Ford E-Transit
The defect
The ITM manages signals between the vehicle and trailer for brake activation and exterior lighting. If communication drops, the trailer’s brake and turn-signal lights may fail, and the trailer’s brakes may not engage—leaving the tow vehicle to stop the combined weight alone, a particular hazard during emergency braking or on steep grades.
Safety risk and incidents
NHTSA states that nonfunctioning trailer lights or brakes reduce driver control and make it harder for other motorists to anticipate trailer movements, raising crash risk. Ford is aware of 407 potentially related incidents but reports no crashes, injuries, or property damage linked to the defect.
Remedy
Ford will deploy an over-the-air (OTA) software update to correct the issue, reducing the need for dealer visits. The company did not provide timing details for the rollout or owner notifications.
Regulatory and investigation timeline
Ford discussed the concern with NHTSA in December, then reopened its internal probe in January in light of the agency’s views. The action highlights how shared software platforms can propagate faults across multiple models and years, prompting large-scale recalls.
Scope and context
The recall applies to U.S. vehicles and spans model years largely since 2021, a period when Ford expanded digital controls and OTA capabilities across its lineup. Towing-related systems are central to the affected models, including F-Series trucks, Expedition, Maverick, Ranger, E-Transit, and the Lincoln Navigator.
What owners should do now
- Watch for Ford’s notification about the OTA update and any required steps to confirm completion.
- Before towing, manually check trailer brake function and exterior lights—especially at vehicle startup.
- Use extra caution at night, in poor weather, and on steep or high-speed routes until the update is applied.
