Ford recall: Suspension
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
What could happen
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.
Vehicles covered
- Ford Explorer 2011–2013
Facts
- NHTSA recall number
- 21V746000
- Type
- Vehicle
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company
- Reported to NHTSA
- Sep 22, 2021
- Owners notified
- Mar 17, 2022
- Vehicles or items affected
- 150,723
- Started by
- The manufacturer
- Built
- –
- Part
- Suspension › Rear
- Maker's own recall number
- 21S43
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Other recalls for the same vehicles
- Ford recall: Air bags Sep 9, 2026
- Ford recall: Engine and engine cooling Aug 25, 2026
- Ford recall: Engine and engine cooling Aug 13, 2026
- Ford / Lincoln recall: Seats Jul 21, 2026
- Ford / Lincoln recall: Seats Jul 14, 2026
- Ford recall: Structure Jul 14, 2026
To check one car, enter its 17-character VIN on the official NHTSA page: a recall may cover only some vehicles of a model year.
Recall data: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.