Recall 16V046 affects 75 2016 Ford E-350 and E-450 vehicles for trailer brake controller failure. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 75 2016 E-450 and E-350 vehicles with a 6.8L engine and optional trailer brake controller because the trailer braking system can fail. When trailer braking is lost, the vehicle needs more distance to stop and crash risk rises; Ford dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The integrated trailer brake controller is the electrical control that sends a braking command from the 2016 Ford E-350 or E-450 to a connected trailer. On vehicles with the 6.8L engine and this option, it is supposed to apply the trailer brakes when the Ford vehicle brakes, so the tow vehicle and trailer slow together.
On affected vehicles, Ford found that the trailer brakes were not actuating during moderate-to-heavy braking of the tow vehicle. The Ford brakes still work, but the trailer is not being asked to do its share of the stopping. With extra weight behind the vehicle, the combined rig needs more distance to stop than the driver expects.
There is no warning sign before failure. The owner notices the problem only when towing and braking demand is high, when the trailer does not help slow the rig as intended.
Who's affected?
Covers both E-Series chassis models with the same integrated trailer brake control system.
| 2016 Ford E-450 | electrical system |
|---|---|
| 2016 Ford E-350 | electrical system |
| Units affected | 75 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unexpected need for longer braking distance increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the braking-distance problem appears, so keep extra following room, avoid hard stops, and schedule the dealer repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Ford E-450 or E-350 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free powertrain control module reprogramming that fixes the trailer brake controller failure.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V046 when you call.
- Avoid towing a trailer until the repair is complete, because trailer braking can fail and increase stopping distance.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions about scheduling or prior repair under Ford recall 16S01.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician reprograms the powertrain control module so the trailer brake controller works with the vehicle software as intended. The software update is available now, and parts and labor are free under the recall. If this vehicle was repaired under the earlier Ford campaign, it still needs this recall repair again. Ford is not offering a separate reimbursement program because the original warranty program covered this concern with a free repair.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| January 28, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 8, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| February 8, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 19, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 22, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V046?
Recall 16V046 covers 75 2016 Ford E-350 and E-450 vehicles with a 6.8L engine and optional trailer brake controller. The trailer braking system can fail, increasing the distance needed to stop. Ford dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Ford E-350 or E-450 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V046. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask for the powertrain control module reprogramming. Reference recall number 16V046 and Ford recall number 16S01 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module free of charge. The free repair applies at any franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is longer stopping distance when the trailer braking system fails. If the vehicle needs extra distance to stop unexpectedly, the chance of a crash increases. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair before towing a trailer.
What if my vehicle was already repaired under recall 15V-710?
It still needs this repair if the VIN is included in recall 16V046. Ford says this recall supersedes 15V-710, and vehicles previously repaired under 15V-710 need to be repaired again. Ask the dealer to complete the current powertrain control module reprogramming.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V046000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V046 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V046000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →