Ford Motor Company is recalling ~240,000 2020-2022 model year Explorer SUVs because the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. This leads to a sudden loss of power or vehicle roll-away if the parking brake is off. This is an expansion and correction of two previous recalls.* Ford’s previous recall repair was to add a software update that automatically applies the electronic service parking brake to keep the vehicle from rolling away in the event of a driveshaft failure. However, there is no safety remedy addressing the failed rear axle horizontal mounting bolt.
“The recalled Explorers were built with a 3-point mounted axle design. On some units the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture. Powertrain torque through the driveline causes axle rotation of the pinion angled towards the sub-frame, which exerts a bending force on the rear axle bolt. Peak torque is normally experienced during a launch event. After numerous peak torque events are experienced, the bolt may suffer a fatigue failure, which will lead to the axle housing moving out of position, resulting in a condition described by customers and dealer technicians as loud, grinding, binding, or clunking noises,” Ford said in the required filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Ford does not publicly release recalls.
Recalled Explorers are equipped with rear axle bushing part number L1MW-4B425-BAand the following powertrains: 3.3L FHEV Police, 3.3L Gas Police, 3.0L Gas Police, 2.3LRWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3L FHEV, 3.0L ST. Ford’s team reviewed plant records to determine the population of affected vehicles. The Ford process is capable of tracing the rear axle bushing part number to the vehicle in which the bushing is installed. These Explorers are not produced in VIN order. Information as to the applicability of this action to specific vehicles can best be obtained by either calling Ford’s toll-free line (1-866-436-7332) or by contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer who can obtain specific information regarding the vehicles from the Ford On-line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS) database.
Dealers will replace the sub-frame bushing and rear axle bolt. They will also inspect the rear axle cover for damage near the bolt hole location and replace it with a new cover if damage is found. Repairs will be performed free of charge as required by US regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 6 November 2023. Owners should contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 23S55. 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 about NHTSA recall 23V675.
*On 30 March 2023 and 14 April 2022, Ford Motor Company (Ford) filed two safety recalls (NHTSA Recall 23V-199 and 22V-255) on certain model year (MY) 2020-2022 Ford Explorer vehicles produced from October 2, 2019 to April 11, 2022. This recall addressed the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt that may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. The fracturing of the rear axle bolt can allow the rear axle housing to move out of position, resulting in severe noise, vibration and/or a disconnected driveshaft.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Ford Recalls Explorer SUVs for Loss of Power, Rollaways
Ford Motor Company is recalling ~240,000 2020-2022 model year Explorer SUVs because the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. This leads to a sudden loss of power or vehicle roll-away if the parking brake is off. This is an expansion and correction of two previous recalls.* Ford’s previous recall repair was to add a software update that automatically applies the electronic service parking brake to keep the vehicle from rolling away in the event of a driveshaft failure. However, there is no safety remedy addressing the failed rear axle horizontal mounting bolt.
“The recalled Explorers were built with a 3-point mounted axle design. On some units the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture. Powertrain torque through the driveline causes axle rotation of the pinion angled towards the sub-frame, which exerts a bending force on the rear axle bolt. Peak torque is normally experienced during a launch event. After numerous peak torque events are experienced, the bolt may suffer a fatigue failure, which will lead to the axle housing moving out of position, resulting in a condition described by customers and dealer technicians as loud, grinding, binding, or clunking noises,” Ford said in the required filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Ford does not publicly release recalls.
Recalled Explorers are equipped with rear axle bushing part number L1MW-4B425-BAand the following powertrains: 3.3L FHEV Police, 3.3L Gas Police, 3.0L Gas Police, 2.3LRWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3L FHEV, 3.0L ST. Ford’s team reviewed plant records to determine the population of affected vehicles. The Ford process is capable of tracing the rear axle bushing part number to the vehicle in which the bushing is installed. These Explorers are not produced in VIN order. Information as to the applicability of this action to specific vehicles can best be obtained by either calling Ford’s toll-free line (1-866-436-7332) or by contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer who can obtain specific information regarding the vehicles from the Ford On-line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS) database.
Dealers will replace the sub-frame bushing and rear axle bolt. They will also inspect the rear axle cover for damage near the bolt hole location and replace it with a new cover if damage is found. Repairs will be performed free of charge as required by US regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 6 November 2023. Owners should contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 23S55. 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 about NHTSA recall 23V675.
*On 30 March 2023 and 14 April 2022, Ford Motor Company (Ford) filed two safety recalls (NHTSA Recall 23V-199 and 22V-255) on certain model year (MY) 2020-2022 Ford Explorer vehicles produced from October 2, 2019 to April 11, 2022. This recall addressed the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt that may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. The fracturing of the rear axle bolt can allow the rear axle housing to move out of position, resulting in severe noise, vibration and/or a disconnected driveshaft.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.