2023 Powerboost-Trailer Brake System Fault

[hokieinidaho]

I get this bogus trailer brake fault issue often, with nothing connected. Flashes up and then it's gone. Likely loose connection. Good info on the 7-pin replacement - I'd probably start there if my annoyance escalates to safety/feature disruption.

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[rush02112]

I had this pop up on my '23 PB as well. I have had it flash on then off for myself but my wife had it come up and had to manually clear it herself.

I brought it into my local dealership this week but since they were unable to reproduce the issue, no action was taken...

 

[Sasquatch74]

same thing happened to me on my 23 PB. "trailer brake system fault" once and a while and then every time I start the truck but then the signal lights inside truck started blinking faster than normal while they still worked normally outside then just lately my check engine light went on. Also driver side window would roll down by itself after auto roll up but this only happened a few times.

I took it to the dealer today and they said they have to replace a module that they referred to as "Module B" and that this will solve all my problems. Only problem is that it is on back order and it could take 4 to 6 weeks to get in or 4 to 5 months the dealer didn't really know. I haven't hooked up a trailer since I've owned but just bought a side by side and will need to haul a small utility trailer. Thanks for your help Ford from what I'm reading online looks like it's kind of been a reoccurring issue.

 

[nomarhits400]

I had this pop up on my '23 PB as well. I have had it flash on then off for myself but my wife had it come up and had to manually clear it herself.

I brought it into my local dealership this week but since they were unable to reproduce the issue, no action was taken...

‘23 PB and I’ve had this happen twice in the year I’ve had the truck- once in a heavy down pour. Flashed on and off probably a dozen times- and then was fine.

Second time was last week in 5F degree weather- flashed on and off a couple times and went away again….Ii may check the fuses- but I’m not having issues anywhere else.

 

[Oilberta]

Been though this issue since I bought the truck, it has been worse in wet/rainy conditions. 4 times the truck went into service, replaced trailer connector first time(7pin and 4pin), second time module replacement, third time module update and a second trailer connector replacement, this last time they replaced the damn license plate wiring, housing, bulbs and reset module and BAM, fixed. Not sure how the license plate wiring affected the trailer brakes but it’s a thing for my truck.

 

[TooDah-Tex1]

I get this bogus trailer brake fault issue often, with nothing connected. Flashes up and then it's gone. Likely loose connection. Good info on the 7-pin replacement - I'd probably start there if my annoyance escalates to safety/feature disruption.

I had the same problem took it in to dealership and they replaced module & 7 pin connector and it stilled continued to fault they then got with Ford Tech for software issues and here is the attached file on the fix, been good since 1/09/2024.

 

[Sammy1129]

I can tell you this. I bought a 23 kings ranch powerboost about 6 months ago. So far it's been good.
After a rainy, cold night here in the Phoenix area (that's correct...26 degrees in the morning) my right mirror wouldn't open for about 15 minutes. Later that day, the trailer module fault popped up. At the same time, my blinkers started flashing fast.
Anyway... it was a fuse. Number 91 in the fuse box under the hood. Easy fix. I didn't take it in, wasn't worth a half day for me.

I'm having the same issue. Do you have a pic of where fuse 91 is?

 

[bumpkin]

I have this problem too in a 23 Powerboost. Just flashes up then goes away, sometimes multiple times successively. I’m having a hard time knowing whether the solution is in this thread. Some reprogramming required?

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I have this problem too in a 23 Powerboost. Just flashes up then goes away, sometimes multiple times successively. I’m having a hard time knowing whether the solution is in this thread. Some reprogramming required?

Hi there! Will you send us a message with your VIN and your local Ford dealer? I can look into things on my end.

 

[Sasquatch74]

same thing happened to me on my 23 PB. "trailer brake system fault" once and a while and then every time I start the truck but then the signal lights inside truck started blinking faster than normal while they still worked normally outside then just lately my check engine light went on. Also driver side window would roll down by itself after auto roll up but this only happened a few times.

I took it to the dealer today and they said they have to replace a module that they referred to as "Module B" and that this will solve all my problems. Only problem is that it is on back order and it could take 4 to 6 weeks to get in or 4 to 5 months the dealer didn't really know. I haven't hooked up a trailer since I've owned but just bought a side by side and will need to haul a small utility trailer. Thanks for your help Ford from what I'm reading online looks like it's kind of been a reoccurring issue.

Update on my issue. I bought a new utility trailer and I was trying to figure out the trailer light issue because I had no trailer brake lights or signal lights just running lights. I bought the trailer brand new and the place I bought it from confirmed it was the truck that was the problem and not the trailer. Trailer is a small 12' single axle that doesn't have any trailer brakes. So anyway I got it home and checked some of the fuses related to trailer towing and they were all good. I plugged the 7 point trailer plug into the receiver and gave it an extra push and it seemed to connect further and tighter. Suddenly I had trailer brake and signal lights and no more trailer brake fault message everytime I start the truck. The signal lights are now working normally inside the truck as well. Its been like this for a couple of weeks now and I used the trailer this weekend with no issues. I guess I'll cross my fingers and hope it lasts.

 

[Mikki]

2023 F150 PB, 1400 miles, trailer brake module fault shows up and disappears over a couple weeks. Finally shows up every time I start vehicle but blinkers in cab blink rapidly but outside they are normal. Took to dealer along with a cut and paste of comments here regarding possible treatments in the hopes of avoiding a "fishing expedition" at dealership. Had the truck for the whole day, changed 2 fuses (no idea which 2) it's been a few days and so far no more warning light and blinkers are back to normal.

 

[joetheguru]

I have been having the same issue with mine.. It has already been in the shop once and they couldn't fix it because they couldn't duplicate the issue. Today it has been going off all day. The worst part about this is the dealer seems only to have one "Trim" guy who can work on this type of thing and is booked out until the end of April. I have a trailer I need to be able to pull and this is getting a bit out of hand. I already took the truck in for them to fix the power windows that roll up slow in the cold and the chatter that comes from the windows on the highway neither of which has been resolved. I am beyond frustrated at this point. I have an appointment to take it in on Friday for the check engine light that came on telling me there was an issue with the charging system. Evidently, the person who can work on that is different than the person who can work on the other stuff.

 

[Ahuizing]

I have two F150 powerboost vehicles, built within two weeks of each other. Both have less than 2500 miles on odo. Vehicle A is regularly used for towing a light utility trailer using the 4 pin connector for lights (no brakes). This vehicle displayed the "trailer brake system fault" warning after disconnecting the trailer. After a few more towing uses, the warning would appear more frequently. The it got to be really frequent and really annoying. I had to make a 500 mile trip without the trailer, and rather than take the abuse of a constantly dinging warning light, I plugged in one of those 4 way flat circuit testers for the duration of the trip. It worked, but after that, the turn signal indicator lights flashed rapidly even though the taillight bulbs flashed normally. Also, the trailer lights no longer worked. So, off to the dealer it went for a 2 week stay, only to be told a module was on order with no promise delivery date. In the mean time I used Vehicle B for towing. It then also started rapidly displaying the warning (only while not towing).
Long story, short - I popped the hood on both vehicles, opened the power network box, and fully seated all the fuses and both relays in the box. None of them were inserted all the way previously. Problem fixed on both vehicles, at least for two days now. Don't know if it will last. If something changes, I'll post that later.

 

[PCfordguy]

Just had the same issue as many described in this thread- Trailer brake system fault appearing over the past couple weeks. But I also had the privilege of driving the truck to my local dealership in limp mode two days ago due to "power train failure" error alert. Long story short- apparently the "image processor module" went bad and is now being replaced. Hoping this fixes the issue, but I am not feeling overly confident in my new truck at the moment.

 

[RaiderSmiley]

Hi there! Will you send us a message with your VIN and your local Ford dealer? I can look into things on my end.

‘23 Powerboost here. Been having this issue about 1 to 2 times every week for the last month or so. Truck has 20,000 miles on it and has never had a trailer hooked up to it, yet.

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