Key Takeaways:
- The Issue: A software bug in the Integrated Trailer Module (ITRM) can disable trailer brake lights, turn signals, and braking functions.
- The Fix: Ford is providing a free software update, available over-the-air or at dealerships.
- Next Steps: If the update fails to resolve your towing issues, immediate diagnostic documentation is required to protect your consumer rights.
The scale of Ford’s latest recall is staggering, but there’s a silver lining: only about 1%, or 43,819, of these vehicles are expected to have the defective lighting module.
For those drivers, however, a faulty integrated trailer module (ITRM) isn’t just a technical glitch; it’s a significant safety risk that could leave you without trailer lights or brakes at the worst possible moment.
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Why Did Ford Recall 4 Million Trucks for Trailer Brake Issues?
Short answer: A software bug in the ITRM can cause it to lose communication with the vehicle at startup, disabling the trailer’s brake lights, turn signals, and braking functions.’
A software vulnerability in the Integrated Trailer Module can cause it to lose communication with the vehicle’s electrical system, typically during startup or when exiting “sleep mode”.
When this “dark” state occurs, any attached trailer will lose functioning brake lights and turn signals, significantly increasing the risk of a rear-end collision.
What Ford Says Caused the Trailer Brake and Lighting Defect
Ford believes the culprit of this issue to be the ITRM software itself, since this software is losing connection with the rest of the vehicle and ultimately causing the issue. Software defects can be the result of previous updates causing issues.
How Ford Plans to Fix the Problem
Short answer: Ford is providing a free software update to stabilize the module’s connection.
Ford is addressing the defect via a software update designed to stabilize the ITRM connection. Many owners can resolve the issue without ever leaving their driveway through an over-the-air update.
For those who prefer a traditional fix, Ford and Lincoln dealerships will perform the installation in-person. As with all safety recalls, this service is provided free of charge to the owner.
Ford Trailer Light and Brake Recall FAQs
Which Ford Vehicles Are Included in the Trailer Lighting and Brake Recall?
Many different Ford vehicles are included in this recall. A complete list of all models is found below.
- 2026 Ford E-Transit
- 2022-2027 Ford Expedition
- 2021-2026 Ford F-150
- 2022-2026 Ford F-250 SD
- 2022-2026 Ford F-350 SD
- 2022-2026 Ford F-450 SD
- 2022-2026 Ford F-550 SD
- 2023-2026 Ford F-600 SD
- 2022-2026 Ford Maverick
- 2024-2026 Ford Ranger
- 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator
Is It Safe to Tow a Trailer If Lights or Brakes Are Not Working?
Generally speaking, it is significantly less safe to tow a trailer if lights or brakes are not working. Other vehicles may not anticipate the extra length that a trailer creates, especially if they cannot see any lighting on the trailer.
Without functioning brakes, a driver cannot control the trailer properly and could pose a danger to themselves and other drivers around them.
Will Ford Repair the Trailer Lighting and Brake Issue for Free?
Yes. This repair is being done as part of a recall, and recall repairs generally come at no cost to the consumer. Recalls are intended to correct the mistakes of the manufacturer, so the manufacturer typically pays for the repairs.
What Should Owners Do If Trailer Lights or Brakes Still Fail After the Recall?
If the software update doesn’t solve the problem, you are dealing with a persistent safety failure that needs immediate attention. Do not ignore recurring “Trailer Brake Module” faults just because a recall was performed.
Take the vehicle back to the dealership for a formal diagnostic. It is critical to ensure the technician explicitly notes on the repair order that the issue remains unresolved despite the recall update.
Keep a detailed file of every service record and communication with the dealer. This documentation proves the vehicle is still defective and serves as your best protection if the manufacturer cannot provide a permanent fix.
What If the Recall Repair Does Not Fix the Problem
State lemon laws provide remedies for consumers whose vehicles develop substantial defects during the manufacturer’s warranty period and are not successfully repaired after a reasonable number of attempts.
A defect may qualify if it significantly impairs the vehicle’s use, value, or safety and continues despite repeated visits to an authorized repair facility.
In some cases, eligibility may also arise when the vehicle has been out of service for an extended cumulative number of days due to warranty repairs.
These statutes are intended to prevent consumers from remaining financially responsible for ongoing manufacturing defects that the manufacturer cannot correct.
Careful review of repair orders, service invoices, and documented downtime is often central to determining whether a vehicle meets the statutory criteria for relief.
| Affected Model | Average Lemon Law Settlement |
| Ford E-Transit (2026) | $96,250 |
| Ford Expedition (2022-2027) | $131,250 |
| Ford F-150(2021-2026) | $96,250 |
| Ford F-250 SD (2022-2026) | $105,000 |
| Ford F-350 SD (2022-2026) | $105,000 |
| Ford F-450 SD (2022-2026) | $108,500 |
| Ford F-550 SD (2022-2026) | $113,750 |
| Ford F-600 SD (2023-2026) | $114,500 |
| Ford Maverick (2022-2026) | $61,250 |
| Ford Ranger (2024-2026) | $65,750 |
| Lincoln Navigator (2022-2027) | $166,250 |
*Please note, the figures presented in the chart are approximations based on past case results and should not be interpreted as a prediction or guarantee. Each case is unique and requires personalized legal guidance.
Contact the Lemon Law Experts
If your vehicle has been subject to recurring warranty repairs or extended periods in the shop, have your repair history evaluated to determine whether you may qualify for a refund, replacement, or other compensation under your state’s lemon law. If you are considering bringing a claim, contact the Lemon Law Experts!
Our team would love to be your advocate. Call us at (877) 885-5366 or fill out an online contact form today to get in touch.
Citations
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Part 573 Safety Recall Report, U.S. Department of Transportation. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V885-4683.pdf. Accessed March 2, 2026.
