Ford has issued a second recall for a past issue, this time affecting 355 of its F-250, F-350, and F-450 Super Duty trucks from model year 2023 equipped with the optional Pro Trailer Hitch Assist feature. Ford recalled more than 18,000 trucks in 2023 because their screens could display the wrong image when reversing. The company now says about 2% of those trucks were returned to owners as repaired, but not actually fixed.
Ford has issued nearly a dozen such re-recalls in the last two weeks. All the repeat recalls involve software updates. The company recently learned that the system dealers use to install software updates occasionally fails but marks an upload as successful. So, Ford may need to repeat dozens of recalls issued in recent years because not every vehicle returned to its owner was actually repaired.
The Pro Trailer Hitch Assist option gives a truck a second camera pointed down at the hitch. It helps owners align the truck when backing up to a trailer. However, a software error can cause the truck’s display screen to show that camera’s image instead of the backup camera’s image when reversing.
Dealers can fix it with a simple software update. They did so successfully for most trucks in 2023. For a small number, though, they need to repeat the process. Dealers have a new method for verifying that an update installed successfully this time before returning the truck to the customer.
Recall repairs are always free. But millions of us miss recall notices every year and unknowingly drive recalled vehicles. Find out if your car needs any free safety repairs at our easy recall center.