2020–2022 Ford Explorer Recalled Because It Could Roll Away
Ford is recalling 238,364 Explorer SUVs from the 2020–2022 model years over a defect that could allow the vehicle to lose power and/or roll away.
The problem is with the subframe bushing and a rear axle bolt that can fracture, according to documents filed with NHTSA.
Owners of affected vehicles will be notified starting November 6, 2023.
Ford will recall 238,364 Explorer SUVs to fix a problem that could cause the vehicle to lose power and potentially roll away if the parking brake is not applied. The problem affects 2022 through 2022 model year Explorers and, Ford says, is caused by a defective subframe bushing and rear axle bolt.
If the bolt fails, according to the Safety Recall Report filed with NHTSA, the axle housing will move out of position, and the driver will hear "loud grinding, binding, or clunking noises." There will also be a loss of transmission torque to the rear wheels, which could let the vehicle roll out of park if the parking brake has not been applied.
Ford previously addressed this issue in 2022 by updating the vehicles' powertrain control module software so it would engage the electronic parking brake whenever the vehicle was put in park. As of late September 2023, Ford told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in a chronology of the problem, the company had received 396 reports of rear axle bolt failures in these vehicles. Of these, "less than 5 percent" had led to "a roll-in-park or loss of motive power condition," Ford said.
Owners of the affected Explorer SUVs will receive notifications of the recall starting November 6. In the meantime, Explorer owners can check the NHTSA recalls site to see if their vehicle is included in the recall.
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