Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 412,000 SUVs due to potential issues with the rear suspension system, which could lead to malfunctions in steering control and other faults.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall announced on Tuesday, February 24, involves approximately 412,774 2017 to 2019 Ford Explorer SUV models.
The problem, as identified by Ford, stems from a component assembly. This assembly was first used in 2017 and discontinued in 2019. Ford has not yet fully determined the root cause of the issue with this assembly, but when problems occur, it could cause the toe links or control arms to bend and fracture, impacting the vehicle’s handling.
As of now, Ford has received 26 reports of rear suspension link fractures, with two accidents involving vehicles colliding with guardrails or other obstacles possibly related to this issue. There have been no reports of injuries related to this problem, according to Ford.
The NHTSA advises owners of the affected vehicle models to watch out for signs such as clicking noises, unusual handling, and misalignment of the rear wheels, in order to have repairs done promptly.
Authorized Ford dealerships will replace the rear suspension toe links of affected vehicles with an updated, more robust assembly at no cost to customers. Starting from Wednesday, February 25, customers can check the recall status through their vehicle identification numbers. Recall notices will also be sent out on March 9, with dealers expected to send notifications starting from February 25.
Simultaneously, in a separate recall action, Ford is recalling 40,655 vehicles to address battery issues and defects in the brake pedal. Regulatory authorities state that these flaws could increase the risk of collisions. The total number of vehicles involved in these two recalls will exceed 450,000 units.
In 2025, Ford set a new record for recall actions. According to reports from FOX Business citing Kelley Blue Book data, Ford’s recall actions for safety concerns last year surpassed previous records.
Ford emphasizes that its frequent recall initiatives reflect the company’s commitment to customer safety, striving to promptly identify and rectify potential defects. In recent years, Ford has expanded its team of safety and technology experts to enhance quality and compliance.