Mike D1917

Bronco, what did you figure out?

Rshill 0768

Has anyone else had their trailer brakes lock up on a2015 f150
W/ factory tow package ?? Dealership has replaced brake controller twice.

Captain Bob

I just experienced that exact problem today. I do not have the updated TBC. Mine did not wait for me to shut off the truck. I came to a stop in traffic and when I restarted, my trailer wheels locked up and I got a message saying there was a fault in the trailer wiring. I had to unplug the electrical connector of the trailer which released the brakes, so I could tow it home.

Captain Bob

My truck is going to the dealer tomorrow to see what the issue is. I bought the TBC from Fairway Ford in Ohio. I spoke with them about it and they say there is no changes to the part number but, there was a change to the "production" number. The TBC has not changed at all. They were not aware of any issues with the TBC and have only seen a couple problems out of the many TBC's they have sold.


In my case, there was a definite burning wire smell coming from the back of my truck. I am thinking part of the harness may have melted. Should be interesting!

Captain Bob

Well, Got the final diagnosis and fix. I did indeed have the older TBC installed, and it was replaced with the revised TBC. They said no evidence of burnt wires but I am not sure they actually looked. I think they just plugged in a "simulator" into the 7 pin connector and tested the newly replaced TBC and wiring harness. They said everything checks out OK. I will take the trailer for a spin tomorrow to validate the repair is OK. I sure hope everything is good!

Trail Rider

Hello all, I haven't messaged since my first post about my brake trailer issue. To say it has been a very long and frustrating time with Ford to fix the issue is an understatement. I tow approximately 1500 miles per month. During the 7000 towing miles I have put on the truck, 3 times it has locked the brakes up while on the road. Anyone who has ever towed (me with horses) can understand the absolute emotional distress caused by locking up on a busy road. Trying to get out fast enough to unplug the trailer wiring while checking to see if your animals are safe, getting back in the truck to pull to the side of the road, before getting hit... WHEW. I am absolutely TERRIFIED to tow with my truck anymore. (Last time I was on an interstate ramp with busy tractor trailers whizzing by) You just don't know when it's going to happen. Ford has tried 3 times to fix the issue and assured me it is fixed each time. It is not. Ford Motor wont buy back or replace my truck and I can't get an attorney to call me back about our lemon law. I have been using my husband's Ram Duelly Diesel to tow because I am afraid of my own truck. My trailer has been pulled with Nissans, Toyotas, GMC's, other Fords, so I know its the truck - not the trailer (as Ford has stated one several occasions) I can't put my animals or my life at stake anymore. I am giving up. I am trading it in. I beg all of you to be careful out there. We are just a immaterial number of casualties to Ford. As the ford rep I worked with stated, Well it must be ok, you're driving it aren't you? I replied, it drives fine, it's towing that's at issue. To which she replied, towing is the same as driving. They have no clue and life is far to short to worry about a truck. I'll trade it, take my $10,000 loss, and enjoy my life. I will make sure my friends know that Ford Customer Care is sorely lacking, and I'll never endorse another Ford product again. BTW, They replaced my brake controller. They replaced my sensors, they replaced my wires. I drove over 1000 miles before it just locks up. It will lock up on you again - just when you least expect it. I drove 600 miles one day then the very next day, 6 miles in, it locks up. Makes no sense. I also had an issue with it where it stayed in trailer mode - calculating my towing miles - till they had to reset it and replace some sensors. I also had to have 2 engine sensors replaced (different issues) and the door fixed.

Trail Rider

They tried to say it was my trailer also - it's not. It's just that you never know when the issue is going to strike! I can tow 1000 miles no problem then boom, next day 6 miles in to a tow and brakes lock up. Please be careful. They don't know how to fix it on mine but keep saying it's not their problem.

Captain Bob

Hopefully, Ford will see your post and try to work with you to resolve the problem. I would have a problem with my 28 ft. camper randomly locking up the brakes while towing. After getting the TBC replaced in my truck, I did a test tow. Only for 20 or so miles though. TBC seemed to work OK. I hope I do not have your experience but also hope Ford comes to the rescue and helps you sort it out. Good Luck!

fordtrk

Yes, good luck.
I think Ford just needs to get the info out to their dealers. I think it's a communication problem. They changed the part number/part and I don't think all the dealers are aware of the change. When I ordered my controller I was told that the part had changed and it wasn't in stock so they had to special order it in.
Much like activating the controller through Ford's software. How many dealers still don't know how to do this and the truck has been out for over a year. Because they don't know how or how long it will take we get quoted $0-$240(different dealers) to activate.

Trail Rider

No, Ford (service rep or dealership) was not willing to help me out at all. Ford actually told the mechanic when he called to get an engineer to help him that NO OTHER TRUCK WAS HAVING THIS ISSUE. So I thought mine was a lemon. It wasn't until I saw your posts that I knew something bigger was up. The one mechanic at the shop tried his best and even told Ford, we have a problem, but Ford Motor CLOSED MY CASE! They did special order my brake controller replacement the first time. Just be careful guys, I kept thinking it was fixed until I would see the smoke rolling, hear the horses crash, and feel the jerk of the truck. I think I see it more often because I tow so many miles. (Weekly Dog rescue transports and trail riding) I'd go almost a month with no issues, then bang (literally). After taking Ford at their word 3 times that it was fixed I was just too plain scared to try it again. I now have one horse that doesn't like to load on that trailer and another that is lame. My anxiety level and BP would go thru the roof when I thought about towing with that truck. So I've been using the hubby's truck and my new Ram is being delivered today. The NEW dealership I went to gave me zero percent interest and some awesome rebates to help offset my loss while keeping my payment near the same. I'll keep following this post to see if you guys are ok. Like I told Ford the last time, "I've got to tow this vehicle 12 hours and close to 700 miles on Saturday on the WV Turnpike (Coal trucks zooming by) and down Sandstone Mountain, Who's riding shotgun with me, your wife or your mom?" I didn't get a reply. 2015 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman Quad Cab 5.7L V-8 Black 3.92 Ratio Former: 2015 F150XL sport 2.7L Twin Turbo Ecoboost white