Trailer Brake Failure Prompts Massive Recall, Ford Stock (NYSE:F) Drops to Match

Well, I suppose any hope we had of legacy automaker Ford F -2.57% ▼ getting away from a growing slate of recalls was probably a forlorn hope. We are just under two months into 2026, and a massive recall just landed targeting over 4.3 million vehicles. The good news is that this issue will likely require a simple fix. The bad news is that it is still 4.3 million vehicles we are talking about here. That was bad news enough for investors, and shares slid nearly 2.5% in Friday afternoon’s trading.

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Several different models are impacted by this recall. F-150 pickups made between 2021 and 2026 are on the list, as are Super Duty trucks from 2022 to 2026. Rangers from 2024 to 2026, 2026 Transit vehicles, and Expeditions, Mavericks, and Lincoln Navigators from 2022 to 2026 are all on the list. The issue is a software issue with the Integrated Trailer Module, reports note, that could cause one of three key things: a loss of brake lights, a loss of turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function altogether.

As anyone who has ever towed a trailer knows, having working brakes on a trailer can be vital to preventing accidents. But for now, Ford is not aware of any accidents having been caused by this development. The fix is indeed simple, and will call for an over-the-air software update that is expected to hit before May arrives.

Marshall Battery Production Ready

Meanwhile, the Marshall battery plant—which was the subject of controversy when it went in—is now up and running, and should start rolling out batteries this summer. The Michigan Court of Appeals kept up a lower court’s decision to throw out a citizen opposition group’s legal challenge in regard to rezoning the land on which the battery plant sits.

Now, with the plant clear to operate, the plant can start rolling out the lithium iron phosphate batteries that will become part of electric cars and other applications from there. Over a hundred full-time workers were employed therein, and over 2,000 construction workers have been at work building the plant to begin with, an economic boost to the Marshall area.

Is Ford Stock a Good Buy Right Now?

Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Hold consensus rating on F stock based on two Buys, 12 Holds and one Sell assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 50.89% rally in its share price over the past year, the average F price target of $13.88 per share implies 1.53% downside risk.

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