Ford recalls bevy of trucks and SUVs over trailer brake issue, again

Ford is recalling 10,627 pickup trucks and SUVs a second time because a trailer-brake software issue may not have been corrected under a previous recall.

The list of recalled models includes:

• 2021-2022 Ford F-150 full-size pickup truck
• 2022 Ford F-250 heavy-duty pickup truck
• 2022 Ford F-350 heavy-duty pickup truck
• 2022 Ford F-450 heavy-duty pickup truck
• 2022 Ford F-550 heavy-duty pickup truck
• 2022 Ford Maverick compact pickup truck
• 2022 Ford Expedition full-size SUV
• 2022 Lincoln Navigator full-size SUV

Due to the aforementioned software issue, the trailer brake controller in these vehicles may not properly apply the trailer brakes while towing a trailer with electric or electric-over-hydraulic brakes. This can result in reduced braking performance, lengthening stopping distances and increasing the risk of a crash, according to the NHTSA.

Under a previous recall, dealers were supposed to install updated software to correct this problem. But that may not have happened because the software tool used by dealers may not have uploaded the correct software to the affected vehicles. However, Ford told the NHTSA that it’s unaware of any crashes or injuries related to the vehicles remaining in circulation with this underlying issue.

This means owners will have to take their vehicles back to dealerships to have the correct software installed. This will again be done free of charge, and Ford will reimburse owners for any related out-of-pocket expenses.

Ford plans to mail owner notification letters Apr. 14. Owners can also contact the automaker’s customer service department at 1-866-436-7332, or visit its recall website, for more information. Ford’s reference number for this recall is 25S18.

This isn’t the only software-related recall Ford has had to redo recently. Last month the automaker initiated two new recalls of the Maverick for similar reasons. And in January Ford recalled 272,000 Mavericks and Bronco Sport crossovers for a 12-volt battery issue after a previous recall remedy didn’t work.