Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published October 3, 2021
Ford Explorer 2020 Suspension Recall: Broken RLCA Bolts Risk Crash
Ford is recalling 2020 Explorer vehicles with potentially unsafe RLCA bolts that could break, causing loss of steering control and crash risk. Owners must contact Ford for free bolt replacement.
“Ford Explorer 2020 Suspension Recall: Broken RLCA Bolts Risk Crash.” GovInfoNow, updated August 18, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/79438-ford-explorer-2020-suspension-recall-broken-rlca-bolts-risk-crash. Based on NHTSA recall #21V154000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V154000).
Ford Motor Company recalled certain 2020 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles due to broken rear lower control arm bolts that can cause a loss of steering control, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall was announced on October 3, 2021.
How to tell if you have it
Ford Explorer, 2020
Lincoln Aviator, 2020
What to do
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace both RLCA bolts, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
The hazard
The rear lower control arm (RLCA) bolts that attach the rear lower control arms to the wheel knuckles may not have been heat-treated, which could cause them to break. Broken RLCA bolts can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Context
Ford Motor Company has 643 other recalls on record since 2010-01-29. Other recent recalls include the Ford 2021 Bronco Hard Top Recall (2026-10-22), the Ford F-450 SD Recall (2026-10-06), and the Ford F-150 Recall: Improperly Secured Front Seats (2026-10-06). Other recent recalls of similar products include the Forest River 2024 R-Pod Suspension Recall (2026-05-26), the Brinkley RV 2025 Model Z Suspension Recall (2026-05-22), and the Isuzu FTR 2020 Suspension Recall (2025-10-22).
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your 2020 Ford Explorer has the rear lower control arm (RLCA) bolts that may not have been heat-treated. The recall started on April 2, 2021, and applies to specific vehicles.
Brand
Ford
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Contact Ford
Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 to schedule a free bolt replacement.
Get Bolts Replaced
Dealers will replace both RLCA bolts at no cost to fix the potential breakage.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace both RLCA bolts, free of charge. The recall began on April 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S11.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
2 dated steps over 6 months.
1Recall began
2NHTSA received the defect report
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Take action
Contact Ford
We’ve drafted a message you can send Ford to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 21V154000 — Ford Explorer 2020 Suspension Recall: Broken RLCA Bolts Risk Crash
Hello,
I own a Ford Explorer 2020 Suspension Recall: Broken RLCA Bolts Risk Crash that is covered by recall 21V154000 from Ford.
The official recall notice states: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace both RLCA bolts, free of charge. The recall began on April 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S11.
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.
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.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 18, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.