FORD EXPLORER (2025) recall — Trailer Hitches
Ford recalls 2024-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator models with loose trailer hitch bolts that could cause trailer detachment or loss of vehicle control during towing, increasing crash risk.
Use caution until it’s fixed
While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Contact the company & request your remedy
What happened, in plain English
Ford is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles because trailer hitch bolts may be loose. This could cause the trailer to detach or loss of vehicle control while towing, increasing crash risk. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/81679-ford-explorer-2025-trailer-hitches-loose-bolts-risk-crash.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/81679-ford-explorer-2025-trailer-hitches-loose-bolts-risk-crash · Updated September 23, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #25V687000
Cite this page
“Ford Explorer 2025 Trailer Hitches: Loose Bolts Risk Crash.” GovInfoNow, updated September 23, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/81679-ford-explorer-2025-trailer-hitches-loose-bolts-risk-crash. Based on NHTSA recall #25V687000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25V687000).
Why it’s dangerous
Loose trailer hitch bolts can cause loss of vehicle handling and control while towing a trailer. This could lead to the trailer detaching or the vehicle losing control, increasing crash risk.
Who’s affected
Owners of 2024-2026 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles who tow trailers are most at risk. The recall affects vehicles with loose trailer hitch bolts.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your vehicle is a 2024-2026 Ford Explorer or Lincoln Aviator. The recall was notified to owners via mail on October 29, 2025.
- Brand
Ford- Category
Vehicle
What to do — step by step
Inspect Trailer Hitch Bolts
Have a dealer check and tighten or replace loose trailer hitch bolts at no cost.
Contact Ford Customer Service
Call Ford at 1-866-436-7332 to confirm your vehicle is affected and schedule service.
What NHTSA says to do
Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
Questions people ask
Why is this recall happening?
Loose trailer hitch bolts can cause loss of vehicle handling and control while towing, increasing crash risk.
How do I know if my vehicle is affected?
Your vehicle is affected if it's a 2024-2026 Ford Explorer or Lincoln Aviator with loose trailer hitch bolts.
What should I do if I have loose bolts?
Dealers will inspect and tighten or replace loose trailer hitch bolts at no cost.
Contact Ford
We’ve drafted a message you can send Ford to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 25V687000 — Ford Ford Hello, I own a Ford that is covered by recall 25V687000 from Ford. The official recall notice states: Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025. 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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Where this comes from
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.
- Official source: NHTSA Recall #25V687000 (October 10, 2025)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on September 23, 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.