Ford has announced a recall of over 600,000 vehicles in Canada and approximately 4.3 million in the U.S. due to a software malfunction that could impact trailer brake functionality and exterior lights. The recall pertains to specific models of popular Ford vehicles, including 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 this 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 accessible for most vehicles in Canada before the end of March and for all vehicles by the end of May.
The software glitch may disrupt communication between the trailer and the vehicle when towing, resulting in non-functional stop lamps and turn signals on the trailer. Additionally, the trailer’s braking system could be affected in certain instances. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has highlighted that malfunctioning trailer lights or brakes can impede the driver’s ability to control the trailer, potentially increasing the risk of an accident.
Drivers will receive a “Trailer Brake Module Fault” message and observe rapid flashing of the turn signal indicator if their vehicle encounters communication loss. Ford has reported 407 incidents that could be associated with the recall issue, but no accidents or injuries have been linked to it.
