- Ford is recalling 4,380,609 vehicles due to an issue with the Integrated Trailer Module (ITRM) that affects trailer brake lights and can impact the trailer brakes.
- The recall includes the F-150, F-250 Super Duty, E-Transit, Expedition, Maverick, Ranger, and the Lincoln Navigator.
- The ITRM on affected models can lose communication with the vehicle, making the trailer brake lights and turn signals unresponsive.
Ford is recalling 4,380,609 vehicles due to an issue with the trailer system. Documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that the Integrated Trailer Module (ITRM) can lose communication with the affected vehicles.
The recall covers vehicles spanning from the 2021 through 2026 model years and includes the F-150, F-250 Super Duty, E-Transit, Expedition, Maverick, Ranger, and the Lincoln Navigator. Ford estimates that one percent of the recall population is impacted by the ITRM defect.
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According to the recall documents, a software issue in the ITRM allows for a race condition between the ITRM and the CAN Standby Control bit (STBCC) during the start-up of the affected vehicles. If the correct conditions are met, the ITRM will be powered on but won't be able to communicate with the vehicle.
When the ITRM is unable to properly communicate with the vehicle, the trailer brake lights and trailer turn signals become inoperable. It's also possible that the issue will result in the loss of function for the trailer brakes, though that issue is reportedly not as common.
Customers will be warned of the issue with a "Trailer brake module fault" message that appears on the instrument panel. An additional "Blind Spot Assist System fault" message may appear as a warning. At the time of the recall's filing, Ford was not aware of any accidents, injuries, or fires related to the issue.
The automaker will begin issuing an over-the-air software update to the ITRM in March 2026. The updated software eliminates the vulnerability in the ITRM and prevents the loss of communication with the vehicle. Ford will notify dealers and owners of the issue on March 17. In addition to the over-the-air update, owners will have the option to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealership for the software update.
Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.
