To fix a problem that could make the 2020–2022 Explorer SUVs lose power and roll away, Ford is calling back 238,364 of them. The NHTSA says the issue is with the suspension bushing and a rear axle bolt that will likely break. Beginning November 6, 2023, owners of the vehicles in question will be informed. Ford is calling back 238,364 Explorer SUVs to fix a problem that could make them lose power and even roll away if the parking brake is unused. Ford thinks the issue is caused by a lousy suspension bushing and rear axle bolt. This issue will happen with Explorers starting with the 2022 model year. This is what the NHTSA Safety Recall Report says will happen if the bolt fails: the axle housing will move out of place, making “loud grinding, binding, or clunking noises.” Also, if you don’t use the parking brake, the engine torque will be lost, which could make the car move out of the park. This problem was fixed by Ford before 2022. They changed the software in the car’s powertrain control units so that the electronic parking brake would work whenever the car was put in park. A timeline that Ford gave to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that by late September 2023, 396 reports had been made to the company about these cars’ rear axle bolts breaking. Ford says that no more than 5% of these have led to “a roll-in-park or loss of motive power condition.” Owners of the recalled Explorer SUVs will start getting warnings on November 6. Explorer drivers can check the NHTSA’s recalls page to see if their car is part of the recall until further notice.
