Ford is recalling certain 2017 Explorer vehicles due to a rear toe-link fracture risk from road salt corrosion, which can cause loss of steering control and crash. Owners must have their suspension inspected and repaired free of charge.
A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford is recalling certain 2017 Explorer vehicles because road salt exposure can cause rear suspension toe links to corrode and fracture, leading to loss of steering control and increased crash risk. Affected vehicles must be inspected and repaired by dealers at no cost. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1225787-ford-explorer-2017-suspension-recall-risk-of-crash-from-toe.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/1225787-ford-explorer-2017-suspension-recall-risk-of-crash-from-toe · Updated October 4, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #21V537000
“Ford Explorer 2017 Suspension Recall: Risk of Crash from Toe-Link Fracture.” GovInfoNow, updated October 4, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1225787-ford-explorer-2017-suspension-recall-risk-of-crash-from-toe. Based on NHTSA recall 21V537000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V537000).
Road salt exposure can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, leading to a fracture in the rear suspension toe link. This fracture can cause loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners of 2013-2017 Ford Explorers originally sold or registered in 20+ U.S. states are affected. Drivers in areas with high road salt exposure are at higher risk.
Check if your 2013-2017 Ford Explorer was sold or registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, or the District of Columbia. The recall covers vehicles where road salt exposure may have caused corrosion.
Call 1-866-436-7332 to confirm your vehicle's eligibility and schedule a repair.
Dealers will inspect and replace the cross-axis ball joint and rear suspension toe links at no cost if needed.
Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.
Road salt exposure can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, leading to a rear suspension toe link fracture that risks loss of steering control.
Certain vehicles previously repaired may need to return for the new remedy, so contact Ford customer service to check.
An interim notification letter was mailed on September 10, 2021, and full owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022.
We’ve drafted a message you can send Ford to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 21V537000 — Ford Ford Hello, I own a Ford that is covered by recall 21V537000 from Ford. The official recall notice states: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32. I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this? Thank you.
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The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
