Ford Motor Company announced a recall of 412,774 2017‑2019 Explorer SUVs in the United States after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identified a rear‑suspension toe‑link fracture that could cause a loss of steering control.
The defect involves a rear toe‑link that can fracture when a cross‑axis ball joint (CABJ) supplied by SAF seizes, creating a bending moment on the link. Ford has not yet determined a definitive root cause, but the seized CABJ is suspected in several cases.
This recall expands a previous NHTSA recall (21V537) and follows a 2020 recall of more than 350,000 Explorer SUVs (2013‑2017) for a similar toe‑link fracture issue, underscoring a recurring suspension problem in the Explorer line.
Owners of affected vehicles will receive notification letters on March 9, 2026, and the VINs are searchable on NHTSA.gov as of February 25, 2026. Ford will inspect and replace the toe‑link components at no cost to owners.
Ford’s recall history and the size of this recall add to the company’s ongoing quality‑control challenges. While the exact cost of this recall is not disclosed, the volume of vehicles and the need for component replacement suggest a significant expense. The recall also highlights the broader context of Ford’s financial pressures, including a negative operating margin and high debt levels, which may influence the company’s ability to absorb additional repair costs.
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