Ford Motor Company is recalling select 2020-2022Â Ford Explorer models over an issue with the driveshaft. This recall is related to a previously-issued action concerning a rear axle bolt fracture issue, which prompted an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The defect: in affected vehicles, the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
The hazards: a disconnected driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power or a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Components: rear axle horizontal mounting bolt
Affected vehicles: select 2020-2022 Ford Explorer models built at the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant between October 22nd, 2018, and July 6th, 2022.
Number of vehicles affected: 238,364
The fix: dealers will will replace the subframe bushing and rear axle bolt. They will also inspect the rear axle cover for damage near the bolt hole location and replace with a new cover if any damage is found. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Owners should: wait for communications from Ford, which will begin on November 6th, 2023. The Ford reference number for this recall is 23S55.
Contacts:
- Ford Customer Service: 1-866-436-7332
- FoMoCo Recall Number: 23S55
- NHTSA Toll-Free: 1-888-327-4236
- NHTSA (TTY): 1-800-424-9153
- NHTSA Website: www.nhtsa.gov
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Comments
Gee how can this be? FORD was so certain that they would have corrected this problem a few years ago and they weren’t kidding that time. Same old FORD same old problem.
Wonder why Aviator isn’t recalled for this ?
Probably is but the webmaster didn’t post it yet.
So if they replace the bolt does that mean we can take off the stupid auto parking brake?
So, how does replacing a single bolt resolve the single bolt axle fracture issue?
The same axle stresses exist and will likely eventually cause this new bolt to fail as well.
It is my understanding that the early 2020 models had two bolts. Why can’t we simply return to having the security of a second bolt installation with the inspection/replacement of the original bolt? The dual bolt system is one that engineers originally thought was important to have installed. Who decided this second bolt should have been removed?
I am still not confident in your fix on this one, Ford. Is this new bolt made from a stronger metal? I’d appreciate answers to these questions as I am concerned about driving this vehicle at this point.
I seem to recall something to the effect that the 6 cylinder versions had the 2 bolts while the 4 cylinder version switched to 1 bolt. Yes, obviously some pimple head thought it was a good idea. Standardization is a good thing so why in the world would they just not use the same design regardless of engine type?
Try hand washing your Explorer be sure to clean the wheels. Then park for several days. The auto parking brake fiasco cused My Explorer’s rear brake pads to stick and not release until it rolled…and when it rolled they made a loud popping noise.
Let’s Go Ford