Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 4.3 million pickup trucks and SUVs in the United States after identifying a software error that can cause trailer brakes not to function and exterior lights to fail when towing, raising safety and liability concerns for US drivers, fleets and insurers.
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall covers certain:
At issue is the Integrated Trailer Module (often referred to as the integrated trailer or trailer brake module). When a trailer is connected, the module may lose communication with the vehicle. NHTSA warns that the defect can lead to a loss of brake and turn-signal lights on the trailer, or a loss of trailer brake function altogether, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford told regulators it is aware of 407 incidents that may be related to the issue, but it has not identified any crashes or injuries connected to the defect to date. The company and NHTSA discussed the problem during a monthly meeting in December, and Ford reopened its investigation in January in light of NHTSA’s views, culminating in the recall decision.
The automaker plans to remedy the problem with a software update to the trailer control module. In the US, Ford has said this will be delivered via an over-the-air update, with owners also able to have the fix applied at dealerships. NHTSA says owners will be formally notified of the recall beginning March 17, and that the repair will be provided free of charge.
Ford notes that in affected vehicles, drivers may receive a “Trailer Brake Module Fault” message and may see the turn signal indicator flash rapidly if communication with the trailer is lost.
For US insurers, commercial auto fleets, and personal lines policyholders who tow boats, RVs, work trailers or equipment, the scale of the recall—spanning some of Ford’s most widely used trucks and SUVs—raises immediate questions around risk management, claims exposure and notification practices.
With more than 4.3 million US vehicles impacted, the recall will be a key focus for underwriters and brokers active in the light truck and commercial auto segments as the towing season approaches.
