Rear suspension toe link fracture
Defect Summary
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.
Safety Consequence
A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action
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.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Ford Motor Company or involving Suspension.
FAQ: Recall 21V537000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 21V537000?
NHTSA recall 21V537000 was issued by Ford Motor Company on July 15, 2021. It addresses: Rear suspension toe link fracture. The recall affects approximately 631,176 vehicles, with the defect involving the Suspension component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 21V537000 or the manufacturer campaign number 21S32. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.