What Happened
Ford is recalling over 412,000 older Explorer models from 2017 to 2019 due to a significant rear suspension issue. The recall is prompted by defective rear toe links that are prone to breaking, which has already led to two reported accidents, although no injuries have been documented.
Why It Matters
The affected vehicles may experience compromised steering control if the rear toe links fracture under load. Symptoms can include misaligned rear wheels, clunking noises, and abnormal handling. Ford has acknowledged the potential dangers and is taking steps to rectify the situation by replacing the faulty components with stronger, corrosion-resistant toe links.
What’s Next
Ford plans to notify affected owners starting in mid-March. Vehicle owners are encouraged to bring their Explorers to authorized dealers for the necessary repairs. The automaker is still investigating the root cause of the issue, which may involve the cross-axis ball joints seizing and bending the rear toe link. This recall follows three similar recalls issued between 2019 and 2021, affecting nearly 120,000 Canadian units from earlier model years.
