I think that the flap somehow lets some water in which shows the fault. Or it could be on the opposite side where the wires hook into the back, not really sure

 

Mine just did both today when I started it after I got home from the dealer. It was dry and warm out and the dealer had just checked the pinout. I don't think it's a plug issue.

 

I too was getting the trailer connected and trailer disconnected messages about every 4th time I started my truck. Dealer replaced the trailer brake controller and it hasn't happened for 2 months/2000 miles.

 

I was seeing the trailer wiring fault MSG on my '11 FX4.
Dealer replaced the ebrake unit and i have had no further messages in the past 5000 km.

 

TSB data for: 2011 FORD F-150
Bulletin Number: SB-22248
Sequence Number: 10044177
Date: 20120301
Component Name: 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: SOFTWARE
Make: FORD
Model: F-150
Year: 2011
Summary:
FORD: ON SOME VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, INTERMITTENTLY, WOULD SHOW DISCONNECTED/CONNECTED MESSAGE AFTER STARTUP WITHOUT TRAILER CONNECTED. *PE


http://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/tsb.p...011/t-SB-22248

 

So there is a tsb and those idiots at the dealer didn't even check!?!?'

 

I had the same issue. Dealer applied the TSB fix and the problem hasn't returned.

 

This can also happen if MyKey is activated and the key has been programmed to have a trailer connected. I noticed once I deactivated MyKey the message went away.

 

Mine does this too!

I thought I'd be the only one. I see there is a TSB, I should call the dealer to get it replaced.

Haven't towed in months and it has come on maybe a dozen times. Annoying.

 

Mine was replaced on Monday thanks to this thread! They replaced the controller which had some faulty software in it creating the error message. Here's what my message looked like. It is different than if you went to the towing section of the message display and then hit the "right" button on your steering wheel. This has an orange border around it.


Sorry so small.



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