Ford Trailer Tail Light Recall Affects Over 213,000 Aviator and Explorer Models

1% or 2,131, Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles are estimated to contain a tail light problem, which Ford has now issued a recall for.

In total, over 213,000 vehicles potentially contain this defect. In this article, we discuss this tail light recall and the information that has been released about it so far so that you can stay on top of the newest updates.

If you are the current owner of an impacted Ford or Lincoln vehicle, this article will also help prepare you for the upcoming owner notifications and offered remedy following them.

To learn more about what’s causing this tail light problem and which vehicles are impacted, continue reading!

What’s Causing the Trailer Tail Light Problem?

Based on the investigation Ford started in June of 2025, it seems like the problem is being caused by poor or insufficient soldering between the Body Control Module C and the circuit board it is supposed to be attached to.

When soldering is insufficient between components on a circuit board, the board may not be able to use the attached module.

This seems to be the case for the impacted Ford and Lincoln vehicles; if the soldering is insufficient, the vehicle fails to utilize the Body Control Module C, and so trailers attached to the vehicle do not have their tail lights light illuminated.

This can be dangerous for other drivers on the road, who rely on seeing those tail lights to know when the towing vehicle is braking.

Which Vehicles Are Impacted

Two makes and models of vehicle are impacted by this recall, the 2025 Lincoln Navigator and the 2025 Ford Explorer.

Ford manufactures both Lincoln and Ford vehicles, so it makes sense for both to experience the same type of problem.

For the impacted vehicles, trailer tail lights can fail to illuminate when the trailer tow electrical connector is utilized.

Vehicle owners may be alerted to the issue through other problems occurring in their vehicle. Those problems include inoperative power mirror switches, the vehicle’s A/C blowing warm air, inoperative internal lighting of the vehicle, and charging port or outlet problems.

If you own a potentially impacted vehicle and experience any of these issues, it means your vehicle likely contains the recalled defect.

Ford’s Plan to Resolve the Issue

If you do discover that your Ford or Lincoln contains the defect, don’t worry! Ford has plans to repair these vehicles and get consumers a fully functioning vehicle again.

First, Ford plans to notify owners by mail beginning October 13, 2025. Dealers will be notified a week earlier to prepare.

Once owners are notified, they will most likely be told to bring their vehicles to a dealership, who will inspect the Body Control Module C and replace it as needed.

Ford has determined that vehicles with over 9,000 miles and which have not yet experienced the issue are unlikely to experience the issue at all, so they will not get the replacement.

Nevertheless, if you own one of the potentially impacted vehicles, you should take it in to be inspected and repaired, even if your mileage is above the cutoff for causing problems.

What to Do If the Trailer Lights Still Don’t Work After Repair

As advanced as modern engineering and repairs can be, sometimes a car just won’t stay fixed after a repair or multiple repairs.

When your vehicle experiences multiple problems and is subject to repeat warranty repairs, you are likely dealing with a lemon and have rights to get compensation!

When a new vehicle develops persistent issues, the lemon law process provides a path for consumers to seek relief.

These laws generally apply when a car, truck, or SUV experiences repeated defects that impact its safety, value, or performance, despite repeat warranty repair attempts.

Most states require that the manufacturer or authorized dealer be given a fair chance to fix the problem, often defined by a specific number of repair attempts or the vehicle being out of service for a set number of days. If those requirements are met, the vehicle may qualify as a lemon.

The next step usually involves notifying the manufacturer, often in writing, to formally assert a claim under the lemon law.

Once notified, the manufacturer may offer a solution such as repurchasing the defective vehicle, reimbursing costs, or providing a replacement model.

The details of what a consumer is entitled to can vary by state, but in general, compensation is designed to put the buyer back in the position they were in before the defective purchase.

If the manufacturer disputes the claim or refuses to provide fair compensation, the case may proceed to arbitration or litigation.

While arbitration programs are sometimes required, they may not always yield favorable results for consumers.

In those cases, filing a lawsuit under the lemon law can be the most effective way to secure the protections the law promises.

With the help of an attorney experienced in these claims, consumers can navigate deadlines, legal requirements, and negotiations more effectively, increasing their chances of success.

Lemon laws serve as an important safeguard, ensuring that manufacturers are held accountable when their vehicles fail to meet reasonable expectations. The process can be intimidating, but it offers real remedies for those stuck with a chronically defective car.

Call the Lemon Law Experts Today! 

If you are dealing with ongoing vehicle problems that your dealership cannot seem to resolve, you may be entitled to relief under the lemon law.

However, navigating a lemon law claim, like any legal claim, can be complicated. That’s what the Lemon Law Experts are for: our attorneys know the process and can help you pursue a buyback or replacement so you are not left paying for a car that doesn’t work as promised.

Contact us today by calling (877) 885-5366 to learn more about your rights and start exploring your options.

Alternatively, fill out a contact form on our website to get in touch with an attorney. We hope to hear from you soon!