NHTSA Recall 26V104000: Ford & Lincoln Trailer Brake/Light Failure
A plain-language breakdown of NHTSA recall 26V104000 — the Ford and Lincoln Integrated Trailer Brake Module defect that can disable trailer lights and brakes while towing, plus your California lemon law rights.
Recall 26V104000 at a glance
- NHTSA campaign number
- 26V104000
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Vehicles affected
- Ford F-150, F-250/350/450/550 Super Duty, F-600, Maverick, Ranger, E-Transit; Lincoln Navigator, Expedition
- Model years
- 2021–2027 (varies by model)
- Units recalled
- 4,380,609
- Component
- Integrated Trailer Brake Module (ITRM) software
- Risk
- Trailer lighting and trailer brakes may become inoperative while towing
- Owner letters mailing
- March 15, 2026
Safety notice: Trailer lighting and trailer brakes may become inoperative while towing. Follow the manufacturer's interim guidance below until the recall repair is completed.
What the recall covers
Recall 26V104000 covers about 4,380,609 Ford and Lincoln trucks, SUVs, and vans, including 2021–2026 F-150, 2022–2026 Super Duty and Maverick, 2024–2026 Ranger, 2023–2026 F-600, 2022–2027 Lincoln Navigator and Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit. A software vulnerability in the Integrated Trailer Brake Module (ITRM) can cause it to lose communication at startup, so — especially with a trailer connected — trailer lighting and braking can become inoperative, raising crash risk while towing.
The remedy
Ford will provide a free software update, delivered over the air or at a dealer. Owner notifications began in mid-March 2026.
What owners should do now
- Use caution or avoid towing until the update is installed, given the trailer-brake and lighting risk.
- Watch for your Ford or Lincoln letter, or check for an over-the-air update.
- Confirm whether your specific VIN is affected.
- Keep your recall letter and every repair order.
- If trailer lighting or braking problems continue after the update, document it and save the paperwork.
How to check your VIN
Confirm whether a specific vehicle is included by entering the 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ford.com, or lincoln.com. Inclusion is VIN-specific, not just by model and year.
Ford customer service: 866-436-7332. NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 888-327-4236.
When this recall can become a California lemon law claim
A recall is not automatically a lemon — it is the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free fix. Your Ford may qualify under California's Lemon Law if the recall repair is significantly delayed, doesn't resolve the problem, or your vehicle has other unrepaired warranty defects. In those cases you may be entitled to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement, with the manufacturer paying your attorney fees. For the full breakdown, see the guides below.
Read more on this recall
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicles does recall 26V104000 cover?
Recall 26V104000 covers about 4.38 million Ford and Lincoln vehicles — including the F-150, Super Duty, F-600, Maverick, Ranger, E-Transit, and Lincoln Navigator and Expedition — whose Integrated Trailer Brake Module can fail, disabling trailer lighting and brakes while towing.
What is the fix?
Ford will provide a free software update, delivered over the air or at a dealer. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ford.com.
Could the trailer-module recall make my Ford or Lincoln a California lemon?
Not automatically. But if the update doesn't resolve it, the problem persists, or your vehicle has other unrepaired warranty defects, you may have a California lemon law claim — potentially a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement, with the manufacturer paying your attorney fees.
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Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome. Every case is different and depends on its own facts.
Recall details are summarized from public NHTSA data and are subject to change; confirm current information at nhtsa.gov/recalls. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; for advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney.