Recalls aren't exciting, but these two are worth five minutes of your time. Both affect how the back of the Explorer stays connected to the road, and both get fixed at no cost to you. Here's the plain-English version.
Which recall goes with which year
| Model years | Problem | Ford recall | What the dealer does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-2017 | Rear toe link can fracture | 19S17 | New forged toe links on both sides, plus a rear alignment |
| 2013-2017 (corrosion states) | Seized ball joint breaks the toe link | 21S32 (NHTSA 21V-537) | Checks the ball joint, replaces knuckle if needed, installs revised toe links |
| 2020-2022 | Rear axle mounting bolt can break | 23S55 (NHTSA 23V-675) | Replaces the rear axle bolt and bushing, inspects the axle cover |
2011-2017: the toe link recall
Toe links are small rods that keep the rear wheels pointed straight. Ford's 19S17 recall covers 2011-2017 Explorers built at Chicago Assembly from March 17, 2010 to January 25, 2017, about 1.2 million in the US. A fractured toe link "severely inhibits steering control," in Ford Authority's words. The fix is a new forged toe link on both sides and a rear alignment.
Then in 2021 came 21V-537 (Ford 21S32) for 631,176 2013-2017 Explorers built September 4, 2012 through September 30, 2017, mainly ones driven in states that use a lot of road salt. Here, a rusted, seized cross-axis ball joint in the rear knuckle can break the outer end of the toe link. Ford estimated only about 2% of those vehicles actually have the defect, but the risk is the same: much less steering control. Dealers do a torque check on the ball joint, replace it and the knuckle if needed, and install revised toe links that cope better with a seized joint.
2020-2022: the rear axle bolt recall
On 2020-2022 Explorers built October 2, 2019 to April 11, 2022, the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt can fracture. When it does, the axle housing can shift, and owners describe severe noise, vibration, loss of power to the rear wheels, or a disconnected driveshaft. With the driveshaft disconnected, the vehicle can also roll away in Park unless the parking brake is on.
The fix took a few tries:
- 22V-255 (April 2022) and 23V-199 (March 2023): a software update that automatically sets the electronic parking brake if the driveshaft fails. Helpful, but it doesn't fix the bolt.
- NHTSA review RQ23-002 (June 2023): opened after complaints of failures on Explorers that already had the software fix.
- 23V-675 / Ford 23S55 (October 2023): about 238,364 Explorers. Dealers replace the rear axle bolt and subframe bushing and inspect the axle cover near the bolt hole, replacing it if damaged.
How to check if your Explorer is affected
- Run your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower driver-side corner of the windshield.
- Call any Ford dealer's service desk with your VIN. Ask them to list every open campaign, not just the newest one.
- Keep the repair order. It's proof the work was done, which helps if you sell the car.
What it costs
| Situation | Cost to you |
|---|---|
| Open recall repair at a Ford dealer | $0 |
| Repairs you already paid for before the recall | Possibly refundable under Ford's reimbursement plan (the 21S32 deadline ended June 30, 2022) |
| Same parts replaced on a vehicle that's not covered | Shop quote, ask for parts and labor in writing |
What to ask the dealer
- "Which recalls are open on this VIN, including 16S18, 19S17 and 21S32?" (2011-2017.)
- "Was the bolt and bushing replacement (23S55) done, or only the software update?" (2020-2022.)
- "Did you do a rear alignment after the toe link job?"
- "Can I get a copy of the completed repair order?"
Is it worth fixing?
There's nothing to decide here. These are free safety repairs on the part of the Explorer that keeps the rear wheels attached and pointed the right way. Book it, bring a book and let the dealer handle it.
See every Explorer repair on the Ford Explorer page. Losing coolant on a 2011-2019 V6? Read our Explorer water pump guide. Recall details checked October 14, 2026.
