“Ford recalls 600K+ vehicles for brake and light issues”

Ford has announced a recall impacting over 600,000 vehicles in Canada and around 4.3 million in the United States due to a software malfunction that could lead to trailer brake failure and exterior light issues. The affected models include select 2021-2026 F-150s, 2022-2026 Super Duty trucks, 2024-2026 Rangers, and 2022-2026 Mavericks. Ford plans to roll out an over-the-air software update to address the problem, with options for customers to receive the update through mobile service or by visiting a Ford dealership. The software update is expected to be available for most Canadian vehicles by the end of March and for all vehicles by the end of May. The software glitch may disrupt communication between the vehicle and trailer, resulting in non-functional stop lamps and turn signals on the trailer, and potentially affecting the trailer’s braking system. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has warned that malfunctioning trailer lights or brakes could compromise the driver’s ability to control the trailer, escalating the risk of accidents. Ford has reported 407 incidents possibly linked to the recall issue, but no accidents or injuries have been reported so far. Drivers will receive a “Trailer Brake Module Fault” message and notice rapid flashing of the turn signal indicator if their vehicle encounters communication loss.