The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·21V746000·Announced 2021-09-22

Ford Recalls 2011-2013 Explorers for Rear Suspension Defect

Ford is recalling 2011-2013 Explorers in 23 states and D.C. because a rear suspension part may fracture, causing loss of steering control.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (rear suspension toe link fracture) that can result in a loss of steering control and increased risk of a crash, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.

Plain-English summary

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The recall involves approximately 150,723 vehicles.

These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize. This seizure can result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link. A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed on November 10, 2021, and owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
FORD EXPLORER
Brand
FORD
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Category
Vehicle — SUV
Hazard
Affected units
150,723

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • EXPLORER

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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