Ford Motor Company is recalling select 2024-2025 Ford Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator models due to potential trailer hitch detachments.
The defect: in affected vehicles, the trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
The hazards: while towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Affected vehicles: select Ford Explorer models built at the Chicago Assembly Plant between January 17th, 2024, and September 4th, 2025, as well as certain Aviator SUVs produced between February 17th, 2024, and February 25th, 2025.
Number of vehicles affected: 1,364
The fix: dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge.
Owners should: wait for communications from Ford, which will begin on October 27th, 2025. The Ford reference number for this recall is 25SA3.
Contacts:
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Bummer for those three owners.
The terms of those settlements haven't yet been disclosed.
It fell short of hitting the low end of its appraised value.
Which is the same for the entire 2026 Escape lineup.
Another good reason to pick one's partner carefully.
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The more prices rise, continually, the lower quality goes, continually.
For over a year and a half nobody could figure out how to tighten trailer hitch bolts? Didn't know this was so hard.