2016 Ford Explorer Recall: Suspension (NHTSA 21V537000)
NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) issued a recall affecting 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company. Below is the official summary, the risk involved, and the fix available at no cost.
What does the official notice say?
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever 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, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
Risk if left unaddressed
A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer's fix (remedy)
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.
Additional notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
How to check if your vehicle is affected
Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the official NHTSA lookup tool at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in this campaign (number 21V537000).
Frequently asked questions
What is NHTSA recall 21V537000?
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever 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, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
What happens if this recall isn't fixed?
A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Is the repair free, and how do I check my VIN?
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. Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in campaign 21V537000.
Source: public NHTSA data, campaign 21V537000, reported on 15/07/2021. This content is for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and was compiled from official data with editorial review prior to publication.
