Recall Alert: Ford F-150 Accessory Trailer Brake Controller Kit Software Update

What’s Being Recalled

This recall is different from most vehicle recalls — it covers a specific accessory part, not the vehicle itself. Ford Genuine Accessory Trailer Brake Controller Kits were sold as add-on kits for 2021-2026 F-150 owners who wanted to add trailer braking capability to a truck that didn’t come with it from the factory. These kits could have been:

• Installed by a Ford dealer (including our parts and service departments)
• Sold over the counter at a Ford parts department
• Ordered online and shipped to the customer

The current affected population is 315 kits, though Ford has noted that number may increase over time as more vehicles with affected kits are identified.

Affected Part Numbers

If you purchased a Ford Genuine Accessory Trailer Brake Controller Kit, check the part number on your receipt, the kit box, or the invoice from the dealer who installed it. The four affected part numbers are:

• ML3Z-19H332-AB
• ML3Z-19H332-BB
• ML3Z-19H332-CB
• RL3Z-19H332-AA

If your part number matches one of these, your kit is included in this recall. If you’re not sure what part number was installed, call us and we can look it up based on your VIN and service history.

What’s Wrong — And What You’ll Notice

The trailer module (TRM) packaged in the affected accessory kits may lose communication with the vehicle at startup. Here’s what that means in practice:

• If a trailer is connected: The trailer’s stop lamps and turn signal indicators will not function. If the trailer is equipped with electronic brakes, those brakes will also not work.
• If no trailer is connected: The loss of communication can still occur, but there’s no safety impact since no trailer is attached.
• Your F-150 itself is unaffected. Your truck’s own brake lights and turn signals continue to work normally regardless of whether the TRM loses communication.

If this happens, you’ll see a “Trailer Brake Module Fault” notification on your instrument panel cluster. That message is your signal that the module has lost communication and your trailer’s lights and brakes are not functioning.

The loss of communication can only happen at vehicle startup — it will not occur while you’re already driving. But if it does occur and you begin towing without noticing the warning, drivers behind your trailer won’t see your brake lights or turn signals, and your trailer brakes won’t respond when you press the brake pedal.

Is My F-150 Safe to Drive?

Yes. Your F-150 is completely safe to drive as normal. This recall affects only the accessory trailer brake controller module — it does not impact your truck’s own braking system, lighting, or any other vehicle function. The risk only applies when you are actively towing a trailer with the affected kit installed.

If you tow regularly, be aware of the “Trailer Brake Module Fault” message on your dashboard. If you see it after starting your truck with a trailer connected, do not tow until the module is functioning properly.

What the Fix Involves

The remedy is a software update on the trailer module (TRM) using Ford’s FDRS diagnostic system. This is a dealer-only procedure — it cannot be done over the air or at an independent shop. The update corrects the communication issue so the module maintains its connection to the vehicle at startup.

The software update is quick, free of charge, and can typically be completed during a single appointment. No parts replacement is needed — just the software reflash.

How This Relates to the Larger Trailer Module Recall (26C10)

In February 2026, Ford issued recall 26C10 (NHTSA 26V-104) — a massive recall covering approximately 4.38 million vehicles with factory-installed integrated trailer modules that had a similar communication loss issue. That recall covered F-150, F-250 through F-600, Expedition, Navigator, Maverick, Ranger, and E-Transit.

This new recall, 26C36, is the companion to 26C10 but covers the accessory kits specifically — the dealer-installed or over-the-counter trailer brake controller kits that were purchased separately, not the modules that came factory-installed. The defect is in the same family, and the fix is the same type of software update. If your F-150 already had the 26C10 recall completed but you also have an accessory kit from the affected part numbers, you may still need this separate update.

What You Should Do Right Now

1. Check your part number. Look at the receipt, kit box, or service invoice from when your trailer brake controller kit was purchased or installed. Compare it to the four affected part numbers listed above.
2. If you’re not sure, call us. We can look up your VIN and service history to determine whether an affected kit was installed on your F-150.
3. Schedule the software update. Call (320) 587-4748 or email service@jaymalonemotors.com. The update is quick and free.
4. In the meantime, watch for the “Trailer Brake Module Fault” message on your dashboard when starting your truck, especially before towing. If you see it, do not tow until the module is functioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my truck safe to drive?

Yes. Your F-150 is completely safe to drive as normal. This recall affects only the accessory trailer brake controller module, not your truck’s own braking, lighting, or any other system. The risk applies only when actively towing with the affected kit installed.

How do I know if I have an accessory kit vs. a factory-installed module?

If your F-150 came with a trailer tow package from the factory, your trailer brake controller is factory-installed and was covered under recall 26C10, not this recall. If you purchased and added a trailer brake controller kit after buying the truck — either at a dealer, over the counter, or online — that’s the accessory kit covered by this recall (26C36). If you’re not sure, call us and we’ll look it up.

I already had the 26C10 recall done. Do I still need this one?

Possibly. The 26C10 recall updated the software on factory-installed integrated trailer modules. If you also have an accessory trailer brake controller kit from the affected part numbers, that kit’s module may need its own separate software update under 26C36. Call us and we’ll verify.

I bought the kit from Jay Malone’s parts department. What should I do?

Call us at (320) 587-4748. We can check our records to see whether the kit we sold or installed matches the affected part numbers. If it does, we’ll schedule the free software update.

How long does the software update take?

The update is performed using Ford’s FDRS diagnostic system and is typically a quick appointment. No parts replacement is needed — just the software reflash on the trailer module.

Is the repair free?

Yes. The software update is performed at no charge under the recall.

Source: Ford safety recall 26C36. Related NHTSA equipment recall: 22E-045 (predecessor recall 22S38 for 2021-2022 F-150 accessory kits). Last verified July 29, 2026. For the most current information, see ford.com/support/recalls or nhtsa.gov/recalls.