Ford has initiated a recall for over 600,000 vehicles in Canada and approximately 4.3 million in the U.S. due to a software malfunction that could lead to trailer brake malfunctions and failure of exterior lights. The recall impacts specific models of Ford’s popular vehicles, such as certain F-150s from 2021 to 2026, Super Duty trucks from 2022 to 2026, Rangers from 2024 to 2026, and Mavericks from 2022 to 2026.
To address the issue, Ford will provide an over-the-air software update for the affected vehicles. Customers can also opt for mobile service or visit a Ford dealership to receive the update. The software update is expected to be available for most Canadian vehicles by the end of March and for all vehicles by the end of May.
The software glitch, when towing a trailer, can disrupt communication between the trailer and the vehicle, resulting in non-functional stop lamps and turn signals on the trailer. Additionally, there is a risk of losing the trailer’s braking function in some instances. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has warned that malfunctioning trailer lights or brakes can impede the driver’s ability to control the trailer, potentially increasing the likelihood of an accident.
Drivers will receive a “Trailer Brake Module Fault” notification and observe rapid flashing of the turn signal indicator if the vehicle experiences communication loss. While Ford has acknowledged around 407 incidents possibly linked to the recall issue, there have been no reported accidents or injuries associated with it.