The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·24V598000·Announced 2024-08-09

2020-2022 Ford Explorer Engine Compartment Fire Risk Recall

Certain 2020-2022 Ford Explorers may experience engine failures that release oil and fuel vapors, risking engine compartment fires. Ford will update the engine control software and inspect for bearing damage.

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: Engine compartment fire qualifies as a structural vehicle defect involving documented mechanical failure with serious injury potential. No injuries or property damage have been reported to date, but the hazard of fire from a known failure mode meets the Severe threshold.

Plain-English summary

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2020-2022 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with the Police Interceptor Utility Package due to a potential engine compartment fire hazard. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall number is 24V598000, affecting approximately 85,238 vehicles.

The issue stems from connecting rod bearing failure in the engine. When this failure occurs, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment. These substances can accumulate near hot surfaces such as the engine or exhaust components, which could serve as ignition sources.

An engine compartment fire presents a significant risk of injury to vehicle occupants and bystanders.

Ford owners should immediately park and turn off the engine if they hear unexpected engine noises, experience unexpected loss of power, or see smoke from the engine compartment. Dealers will reprogram the engine control module and inspect for bearing damage, with repairs available free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent on August 15, 2025. For more information, owners can 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 — Engine / Powertrain
Hazard
Affected units
85,238

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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