Ford is recalling roughly 4.4 million vehicles due to a software issue that could cause an attached trailer’s tail lights, turn signals and brakes to fail — increasing the risk of crashing.
The recall will impact Ford trucks, vans and SUVs from the 2021 through 2026 model years, CBS News reported. Ford F-150 and F-250 pickup trucks account for the vast majority of the affected vehicles, numbering around 3.4 million recalls, the outlet reported.
The recall also impacts the E-Transit, Expedition, Maverick, Ranger and the Lincoln Navigator, according to a Feb. 20 notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The software vulnerability can cause a connectivity loss between the towing vehicle and the trailer, according to the NTSA. This can occur when the vehicle is first started due to a race condition between the Integrated Trailer Module (ITRM) and another component, the notice stated.
It can result in the trailer’s tail lights and turn signals failing to turn on, in addition to potentially causing the break function to stop working, Ford told CBS News.
The software issue can lead to an increased risk in crashing.
“Inoperable trailer lighting and trailer braking functions can reduce a driver’s ability to control an attached trailer and make the attached trailer less visible to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash,” NHTSA said in the notice.
The loss of communication between the vehicle and trailer results in a “Trailer Brake Module Fault” message for the driver, and another message may alert them to a fault with the Blind Spot Assist System.
Ford Explorers leave Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant on October 18, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Ford said it plans to issue a remote over-the-air software update for the impacted vehicles in May, and the company will notify drivers when the update is complete. Owners can also go to a Ford and Lincoln dealer to have the issue fixed free of charge.
Ford stated that it is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires related to the software issue, and the company began investigating the condition in October 2025, according to the notice.
Ford estimates that 1% of the recall population is impacted by the software defect.