The Issue: Ford Motor Company is conducting a major recall affecting 4,380,609 vehicles due to a software glitch that could cause trailer brake lights and turn signals to fail. This impacts several popular Ford and Lincoln models, including the high-selling F-150 pickup.
Affected Models and Numbers
The recall covers vehicles from the 2021 through 2026 model years. Here’s a breakdown of the numbers:
- Ford F-150: 2,297,857 vehicles
- Ford F-250: 1,135,063 vehicles
- Ford Maverick: 412,105 vehicles
- Ford Expedition: 317,604 vehicles
- Ford Ranger: 129,836 vehicles
- Lincoln Navigator: 75,029 vehicles
- Ford E-Transit: 13,115 vehicles
The Technical Problem
The root cause is a “race condition” in the vehicle’s software. This means that when multiple systems try to access shared data at the same time, unpredictable timing can occur, leading to the trailer brake module losing communication with the vehicle.
This results in the brake lights and indicators on a connected trailer malfunctioning, creating a safety risk for other drivers. Owners may receive warning messages such as “Trailer Brake Module Fault” or “Blind Spot Assist System Fault”.
How Ford Responded
Ford first investigated this issue in October but temporarily closed the probe. After discussions with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in December, which suggested the glitch could violate safety standards, Ford reopened the investigation. The company subsequently discovered over 400 warranty claims related to the problem and issued the recall.
Notably, Ford reports no accidents, injuries, or fires have been linked to the issue so far.
The Fix: Over-the-Air Update
The solution is a software update that will be pushed to affected vehicles starting March 17. The update will be delivered via Over-the-Air (OTA) for most vehicles, with full deployment expected by May. Owners can also visit a Ford dealership or utilize the company’s mobile service for the update.
This OTA approach is preferable to requiring all owners to bring their trucks to a service center, making the fix more convenient.
In summary: Ford is proactively addressing a software flaw that could compromise trailer braking systems. The over-the-air update offers a swift and relatively painless resolution for millions of truck owners.
