Over the last several years, the Ford Explorer has faced several lawsuits over claims that the rear axle mounting bolt in 2020 through 2023 model year crossovers may fracture, causing anything from noticeable vibrations to potentially catastrophic issues like a detached driveshaft. Ford issued a recall for the Explorer and instructed dealers to replace these defective rear axle mounting bolts with new parts, but some customers felt like this fix was inadequate. The Blue Oval has now fired back, saying that the recall should be more than enough to nullify the pending lawsuits over the issue.
According to a report from CarComplaints, Ford issued a recall to address the issue, updating Ford Explorer software so that the crossover automatically engages the electronic parking brake every time the vehicle is placed in park. A second recall instructed dealerships to replace the subframe bushing and any cracked rear axle bolt. Said repairs were performed at no cost to vehicle owners as part of the recall, while owners who paid out of pocket were reimbursed.
Multiple class action lawsuits were filed, but The Blue Oval notes that 10 of the 12 plaintiffs did not actually experience issues with their Ford Explorer, but still filed. The remaining two claimed that their Explorers’ bolts fractured and were replaced free of charge. Ford argues that the lawsuit should be dismissed due to the automaker’s ongoing axle bolt recalls, though several plaintiffs have called said recalls “ineffective,” or that it “presents a safety concern.”
In short, the plaintiffs argue that there isn’t enough evidence that the recalls are effective, meaning that the automaker hasn’t provided sufficient facts showing how the Ford Explorer performs after the recall has been performed.
Ford argues that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) overseen recall is adequate.
“Put simply, Plaintiffs here have not plausibly alleged that the NHTSA-supervised recall is inadequate, only that they personally think a different approach should be taken. All of their claims should be dismissed as prudentially moot,” the automaker said.
Comments
Wondering what reengineering occurred to the 2024 and 2025 models, that excludes them from any recalls?
Other than the upgrade to the rear axle bolt, and bushing?
It’s almost a guarantee that the recall with parts and labor costs followed by all of the lawyer fees etc was massively more costly than continuing with the original two bolt rear differential subframe assembly ….darn bean counters no doubt pressured design engineering to conclude the single bolt version as adequate…..how wrong they all were…..Will lessons be learned from this…another guarantee….NO.