Ford Recalls 412,774 Explorer SUVs for Rear Suspension Risk

Ford recalls 412,774 Explorer SUVs (2017–2019) over rear suspension toe link failure risk, with free repairs and NHTSA oversight. Read full details.

Ford has announced a major recall in the United States affecting 412,774 Ford Explorer SUVs from model years 2017–2019. The issue centers on the rear suspension toe link, also referred to as a cross-axis link, a component responsible for maintaining proper rear wheel alignment. According to regulators, if the part fractures during operation, it can increase the risk of a loss of vehicle control.

Published reports indicate that a failing toe link may cause clunking noises, unstable handling, and visible changes in rear wheel alignment. In more severe cases, a complete fracture could affect how the vehicle responds at higher speeds or during maneuvers. Despite the safety risk, no “Do-Not-Drive” order has been issued in connection with this campaign.

The recall decision followed 26 reports of fractured components and at least two crashes. Ford has stated that it is not aware of any injuries related to the defect. Public materials do not specify a confirmed root cause for the failures.

Dealers are instructed to replace the affected rear suspension components with a revised design at no cost to owners. Dealer notifications were scheduled for February 25, 2026, while owner notification letters are expected to begin mailing on March 9, 2026. Vehicle owners can check recall status through the official NHTSA database or Ford’s recall support page.

This campaign also unfolds against the backdrop of earlier Explorer recalls involving rear suspension components in previous model years, underscoring that similar issues have surfaced before and drawn regulatory attention.

Separately, Ford has announced an additional recall covering 40,655 vehicles in the United States due to potential battery system failures and brake pedal assembly malfunctions. Both conditions may increase the likelihood of a crash and require corrective action at the company’s expense, although publicly available details about specific models and model years remain limited.

The Explorer remains one of Ford’s core products in North America, and a recall of this magnitude inevitably draws scrutiny. For owners, the immediate takeaway is practical: once notified, scheduling the necessary repair promptly is the most direct way to mitigate potential suspension-related risks.