Ford announces massive recall affecting F-150 and SUV models

Ford Motor Co. is recalling nearly 4.4 million vehicles — including some of its best-selling F-Series pickup trucks and widely popular sport utility vehicles — in a development that marks a setback for the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen product quality.

According to a notice published February 26 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and cited by Bloomberg, the recall stems from a software defect that may disrupt communication between a towing vehicle and an attached trailer. The malfunction could cause a trailer’s taillights, turn signals, and brake lights to stop functioning, increasing the likelihood of a crash.

Ford said the defect creates a violation of federal safety standards and may reduce a driver’s ability to safely control a connected trailer while also making it less visible to surrounding traffic. The company added that it has received no reports of accidents, injuries, or fires linked to the problem.

To resolve the issue, Ford plans to deploy an over-the-air software update targeting trailer control modules in affected vehicles. Owners will also have the option of bringing their vehicles to authorized dealerships, where repairs will be carried out free of charge.

The recall impacts several of Ford’s core models, including certain F-150 pickups produced between the 2021 and 2026 model years, as well as Expedition sport utility vehicles and Ranger and Maverick pickup trucks. The development follows a year in which Ford ranked as the most-recalled automaker in the United States in 2025.

By Tamilla Hasanova