Ford Motor Company is recalling select 2013-2017 Ford Explorer models due to issues related to the cross-axis ball joint.
The defect: in affected vehicles, cross-axis ball joint may seize up and cause the rear suspension toe link to fracture.
The hazards: a fractured rear toe link could result in severely diminished steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford is aware of six allegations of injury related to this issue in North America.
Components: cross-axis ball joint/knuckle, toe links.
Affected vehicles: select 2013-2017 Ford Explorer models assembled at the Ford Chicago Assembly plant between September 4th, 2012, and September 30th, 2017, and the Ford Elabuga Assembly plant between January 28th, 2020, and July 28th, 2017.
Number of vehicles affected: 774,696 vehicles, with:
- 676,152 units in North America
- 59,935 units in China
- 25,257 units in Ford’s International Markets Group
- 13,162 units in Europe
- 190 units in South America
The fix: dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint, replace the cross-axis ball joint and knuckle as necessary, and replace the toe links with a revised design part.
Owners should: wait for communications from Ford, which are expected to be mailed the week of August 3rd, 2021. The Ford reference number for this recall is 21S32.
Ford is establishing a separate customer satisfaction program for Ford Explorer vehicles not sold or registered in U.S. corrosion states.
Contacts:
- Ford Customer Service: 1-866-436-7332
- FoMoCo Recall Number: 21S32
- NHTSA Toll-Free: 1-888-327-4236
- NHTSA (TTY): 1-800-424-9153
- NHTSA Website: www.safecar.gov
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