A front-biased crossover between model years 2011 and 2019, the Ford Explorer was redesigned on the rear-drive CD6 platform for model year 2020. Unfortunately, the Dearborn-based automaker botched up the mid-size utility vehicle's rollout.
Despite the initial manufacturing- and quality-related concerns, the sixth-gen Explorer soldiers on as the Ford Motor Company's best-selling utility vehicle. It sold 186,799 units in the United States last year, whereas F-Series deliveries topped 750,789 trucks. Even so, FoMoCo still hasn't sorted out all of the Explorer's manufacturing-/quality-related concerns.
The latest safety recall published on the NHTSA's website reads that certain 2023 models feature fasteners that may be loose or missing. The fasteners in question connect the right front lower steering knuckle to the strut. If missing, the tire can experience a change in camber, leading to increased steering effort/steering pull. That's not all, though.
The right front tire, knuckle, or strut may come into contact with the brake hose, leading to a brake fluid leak. According to documents filed with the federal watchdog, the double spindle fixture tool was offline for repairs for a brief period on December 19, 2023. Plant workers used the backup tool, namely a calibrated clicker wrench, which is unable to identify incomplete or missed torque operations.
The subsequent investigation determined that 121 vehicles had their fasteners installed using the backup tool. Of those 121 vehicles, one was fixed by a dealer. The suspect nut and bolt bear part numbers W520517-S440 and W715932-S339 in the automaker's parts system. Ford also highlights that the Lincoln Aviator isn't affected because it does not utilize the Explorer's knuckle-to-strut joint design.
Photo: Ford
Owner notifications will be carried out via first-class mail between March 4 and March 8. Dealers will visually inspect the presence of the upper and lower fasteners. If present, technicians are required to verify the torque. In case of improperly torqued or missing fasteners, both the upper and lower fasteners will be replaced and torqued to specification at no cost whatsoever to the owner.
As mentioned earlier, only a handful of sport utility vehicles produced on December 19 last year are recalled. In addition to the 2023 model year Explorer fixed by a dealer, the Ford Motor Company made sure that two additional vehicles were shipped with properly torqued fasteners. The recall population, therefore, numbers 118 vehicles.
Potentially affected owners can easily determine whether their Explorers are included in this recall or not by entering the 17-character VIN on the automaker's US website or the NHTSA's website. The vehicle identification number should begin with 1, whereas the Ford Explorer for the Chinese market features a VIN beginning with the letter L.
Recently updated for model year 2025, the Explorer is listed on the automaker's US website with a starting price of $39,625 for the Active trim level. Over in China, the folks at Changan Ford charge 309,800 yuan or 43,085 dollars at current rates.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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