Ford Motor Company is issuing a recall covering almost 4.4 million vehicles after identifying a software defect that can interrupt trailer lighting and, in some cases, trailer braking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported the recall on Thursday, noting the affected vehicles were built between 2021 and 2026.
The flaw centers on the Integrated Trailer Module - software within the module can lose communication with the tow vehicle during the module's initial power-up sequence. If this failure occurs when a trailer is connected, trailer taillights and turn signals can stop functioning. Ford also said trailer brakes may fail on certain models when the condition arises. NHTSA flagged the condition as a violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, which governs lamps and reflective devices.
Ford first opened an internal review of the issue through its Critical Concern Review Group on October 21, 2025, after learning of the software anomaly. That inquiry was closed on November 6, 2025, but was subsequently reopened on January 20, 2026, following discussions with NHTSA in December 2025. The agency indicated the observed lighting failures could amount to noncompliance with applicable federal safety standards.
As of February 4, 2026, Ford reported 405 warranty claims and two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires that it considered potentially related to the condition - an increase from the 57 claims identified when the investigation began. Ford’s Field Review Committee approved the recall on February 13, 2026. The company stated it is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires attributed to this software defect.
The automaker plans to distribute an over-the-air software update to remedy the communication fault in the Integrated Trailer Module. Owners may also take affected vehicles to dealerships for the repair at no cost.
The recall spans a range of popular Ford models and volumes by model are as follows: about 2.3 million F-150 pickups, 1.1 million F-250 Super Duty trucks, 412,105 Mavericks, 317,604 Expeditions, 129,836 Rangers, 75,029 Navigators and 13,115 E-Transit vans. Total affected units are nearly 4.4 million.
The recall underscores a software-origin safety issue affecting lighting and braking functions when trailers are attached. Ford’s remediation plan combines an over-the-air patch with dealer-based repairs, and the company has disclosed the timeline of its internal reviews and increase in warranty reports tied to the condition.