Ford is recalling 4.3 million trucks and SUVs to fix a towing software bug

February 27, 2026
Ford is recalling 4.3 million trucks and SUVs to fix a towing software bug

Here's something that caught my attention — Ford is recalling a staggering 4.3 million trucks and SUVs over a towing software glitch. Now, this isn't just a small hiccup; it’s part of a bigger trend. Last year alone, Ford set a record with 152 safety recalls, nearly doubling GM's previous high, with over 24 million vehicles affected in the US. But here's where it gets interesting — according to Jonathan M. Gitlin writing in Ars Technica, this year Ford is already leading in recalls, with 10 on the list, and this new one is massive. It covers popular models like the F-150, Ranger, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator. The issue? A bug in the towing software that could cause the vehicle’s trailer brakes to unexpectedly activate or fail. So what does this actually mean for you? If you drive one of these, it’s worth paying close attention — Ford’s not messing around. As Gitlin reports, this kind of problem emphasizes how critical software reliability is becoming in our vehicles’ safety features. Keep an eye out — things might get more tech-heavy, but that also means higher stakes.

Last year, Ford set a new industry record: It issued 152 safety recalls, almost twice the previous high set by General Motors back in 2014. More than 24 million vehicles were recalled in the US last year, and more than half—13 million—were either Fords or Lincolns. By contrast, Tesla issued 11 recalls, affecting just 745,000 vehicles.

Truth be told, Ford's not doing too hot in 2026, either; it's currently leading the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's chart for recalls this year, with 10 on the books already. The latest is a big one, affecting almost 4.4 million trucks, vans, and SUVs.

The recall affects the Ford Maverick (model years 2022–2026), Ford Ranger (MY 2024–2026), Ford Expedition (MY 2022–2026), Ford E-Transit (MY 2026), Ford F-150 (MY 2021–2026), Ford F-250 SD (MY 2022–2026), and the Lincoln Navigator (MY 2022–2026). Just the F-150s alone number 2.3 million.

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Audio Transcript

Last year, Ford set a new industry record: It issued 152 safety recalls, almost twice the previous high set by General Motors back in 2014. More than 24 million vehicles were recalled in the US last year, and more than half—13 million—were either Fords or Lincolns. By contrast, Tesla issued 11 recalls, affecting just 745,000 vehicles.

Truth be told, Ford's not doing too hot in 2026, either; it's currently leading the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's chart for recalls this year, with 10 on the books already. The latest is a big one, affecting almost 4.4 million trucks, vans, and SUVs.

The recall affects the Ford Maverick (model years 2022–2026), Ford Ranger (MY 2024–2026), Ford Expedition (MY 2022–2026), Ford E-Transit (MY 2026), Ford F-150 (MY 2021–2026), Ford F-250 SD (MY 2022–2026), and the Lincoln Navigator (MY 2022–2026). Just the F-150s alone number 2.3 million.

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