— A Ford Explorer rear axle bolt recall has been announced for the third time since 2022.
Included in the recall of about 4,400 vehicles are 2020-2022 Ford Explorers equipped with rear axle horizontal mounting bolts that may fracture and cause the driveshafts to disconnect.
A Ford Explorer rear axle bolt recall was issued for about 252,000 vehicles and a later axle bolt recall involved about 700 Explorers.
According to Ford:
“A fractured rear axle bolt will allow the rear axle housing to move out of position, resulting in severe noise and vibration. If the rear axle bolt breaks, the driveshaft or half-shafts may become disconnected, resulting in loss of the vehicle’s forward power and loss of transmission torque to the rear wheels. Transmission torque is necessary to hold the vehicle in park."
Ford continues:
"If the parking brake is not applied, the loss of the primary park torque will allow the vehicle to roll in park increasing the risk of crash and injury. Inability to achieve or hold park can result in unintended vehicle movement if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash.”
Dealers should have uploaded the latest software using a special service tool, but the tool did not upload the correct software.
About 120 Explorers are recalled in Canada.
Ford Explorer axle bolt recall letters are expected to be mailed April 24, 2025, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software.
Ford Explorer owners may contact Ford at 866-436-7332 and refer to rear axle bolt recall number 25S22.