Ford Motor Company has announced a recall of approximately 4.3 million pickup trucks and SUVs in the U.S. due to a software defect that can cause trailer brakes and exterior trailer lights to fail.

The affected vehicles include the F-150 (2021–2026), F-250 Super Duty (2022–2026), Lincoln Navigator, Ford Expedition, Ford Maverick, and certain Ford Ranger and Ford E-Transit models.

The problem stems from the Integrated Trailer Module, which may lose communication with the vehicle while towing.

This can result in trailer brake and turn signal lights failing, or in some cases, a loss of trailer braking — usually when the vehicle is first started.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration noted that malfunctioning trailer lights or brakes could reduce driver control and increase the risk of a crash.

Ford plans to resolve the issue via an over-the-air software update. While the company is aware of 407 incidents potentially linked to this defect, it reports no crashes so far.

The recall follows discussions with regulators in December and a reopened investigation in January.