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 lead to the failure of trailer brakes and exterior lights. The affected models include select versions of popular Ford vehicles such as 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 impacted vehicles. Customers will have the option to receive the update via mobile service or by visiting a Ford dealer. The update is expected to be accessible for most Canadian vehicles before the end of March and for all vehicles by the end of May.
The software glitch can disrupt communication between the vehicle and a trailer, resulting in malfunctioning stop lamps and turn signals on the trailer. In some instances, the trailer’s braking system may also be affected. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has warned that non-functional trailer lights or brakes could compromise the driver’s ability to control the trailer, potentially leading to an increased risk of accidents.
Drivers will receive a “Trailer Brake Module Fault” notification and experience rapid flashing of the turn signal indicator if their vehicle encounters communication failure. While Ford has reported 407 incidents possibly linked to the recall problem, there have been no reported accidents or injuries associated with it.