Ford's Latest Recall Covers 4.4 Million Trucks And SUVs

Ford, off the back of years of huge recalls, is issuing another seven-figure vehicle recall. This time, roughly 4.4 million units have been recalled, ranging from the Ford, well, Ranger, to models like the F-150, Lincoln Navigator, and more. The recall itself covers a failure in trailer towing modules that could lead to inoperative brake lights.

Ford recalls millions of trucks and SUVs

Ford models may have a faulty integrated trailer module (ITM) that could lose its ability to properly communicate with the rest of your vehicle's hardware and electronics, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) recall document. If this happens, owners will find themselves without trailer brake lights while towing. Not only is this illegal, it's also potentially dangerous, hence the recall.

Affected models include a huge spread of popular Ford and Lincoln vehicles. The following are all subject to recall:2022-2026 Ford Expedition, 2022-2026 Ford Maverick, 2024-2026 Ford Ranger, 2022-2026 Ford F-250, 2026 Ford E-Transit, 2022-2026 Lincoln Navigator, and the 2021-2026 Ford F-150.

The issue stems from a software fault, which allows "for a potential race condition" to occur between the ITM and CAN Standby Control bit. That means multiple processes access shared data at the same time, with the results dependent on execution order. Those results are unpredictable, and mistiming could lead to the brake light failure described in the recall. When this happens, the vehicles will display a message in the dash cluster, indicating a "Trailer Brake Module Fault" or a "Blind Spot Assist System Fault."

Ford first learned of the problem, which overwhelmingly covers F-150 trucks, in October. During a December review with the NHTSA, the agency told Ford the problem may result in noncompliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Further investigation discovered a few hundred warranty claims, eventually leading to the recall.

As for the fix, Ford has said it will deploy the over-the-air update remedy beginning on March 17. You can also visit the dealer or request mobile service for the installation. Owners themselves will be notified in March.