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Service bulletin SSM 51542

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
TypeService bulletin
NHTSA id10234137
Published by NHTSA2023-05-04
Manufacturer's numberSSM 51542
Manufacturer's date2023-04-06
NHTSA componentENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN

NHTSA's summary

Some 2020-2023 F-150 and 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more that may last for 2-5 seconds. This may be due to a stuck internal component of the variable cam timing (VCT) unit. To correct the condition, replace all 4 of the VCT units following Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-01. For claiming, use causal part 6C525 and applicable labor operations in Section 6 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual. If labor times are not available, claim M-time.

The document

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it. NHTSA files a document at one of these two addresses; we have not asked NHTSA which.

Components

Engine, Transmission and driveline

Vehicles listed
FORD BRONCO2021, 2022, 2023
FORD F-1502020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Recalls for the same vehicles and component
26V4680002026-07-20. ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
20263112026-06-24. Powertrain
26V4020002026-06-24. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
20261882026-04-15. Powertrain
26V2360002026-04-14. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
20256912025-12-12. Powertrain
25V8630002025-12-12. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:PARK PAWL
20254142025-08-08. Powertrain
25V5120002025-08-08. POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
20251372025-03-14. Powertrain

A recall listed here may apply to some of the same vehicles. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
SSM 552282026-10-12. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel) engine may need the front engine cover removed and reinstalled for various reasons. The Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-01 Engine > Removal and Installation > Engine Front Cover service procedure has been updated to include a new essential special service tool (ESST) guide pin alignment tool (303-1790) that is used to align the engine front cover to the engine block, preventing the O-ring seal on the engine oil galley feed tube from getting damaged during installation.
25E10-S12026-10-02. Other. 25E10-S1 Owner letter
TSB 26-24082026-09-30. Service bulletin. This bulletin supersedes 26-2309. Reason For Update: update the Model section to remove Aviator 10R80, update the Parts list to add 3.3L to W520514-S440, and add L1MZ-7Z490-G valve body separator plate for Aviator. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh 3-4, 4-5 upshifts * Harsh 5-3, 4-3 downshifts * Harsh reverse engagements These symptoms may be worse when cold. This may be due to the F clutch friction plates brinelling into the clutch and planetary container cylinder (7B177).
PCM-26.10.3 Bronco2026-09-21. Over-the-air update. 25S75 Recall remedy -Powertrain Control Module update to introduce logic to prevent low pressure fuel pump binding and maintain fuel flow to the engine.
TSB 26-23952026-09-01. Service bulletin. This article supersedes 26-2287. Reason for update: update the labor operation numbers to add MT to operations C, F, G, H, J, K, L and M, and correct the part number LIMZ-4A015-B to L1MZ-4A015-B. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: Harsh engagement Delayed engagement Harsh shift Delayed shift Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC)s P0751, P0752, P0756, P0757, P0761, P0762, P0766, P0767, P0771, P0772, P2700, P2701, P2702, P2703, P2704, P2705, P2707, P2708, P0729, P0731, P0732, P0733, P0734, P0735, P0736, P076F, P07D9, P07F6 and/or P07F7 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) or transmission control module (TCM). This may be due to axial movement of the CDF clutch cylinder sleeve causing hydraulic circuit leaks. NOTE: If internal transmission service is required to address a concern detected with the CDF clutch cylinder following this article, technicians should carefully inspect and replace other transmission components and flush transmission fluid cooler only as ne
PT-26.13.13 F-150 Ltng2026-08-18. Over-the-air update. 25C69 Recall remedy - Updates the Secondary On-Board Diagnostic Module C to provide for release of the Integrated Park Module slider in the event a bind condition occurs allowing park to be engaged
SSM 550732026-08-11. Service bulletin. Some 2021-2026 Bronco vehicles may require the removal and installation of the transfer case for various reasons. Installation requires Loctite® 243 adhesive applied to the mounting bolt threads in the transmission. Make sure that the mating faces are clean and dry. Tightening the mounting bolts also requires an updated two-stage tightening sequence. Workshop Manual (WSM), Sections 307-07C/D and 308-07C/D Installation > Transfer Case have been updated to reflect this change.
TSB 26-23602026-08-10. Service bulletin. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model Statement above may exhibit an intermittent extended crank with no relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) present. This may be due to various software parameters in the powertrain control module (PCM).
25M012026-08-04. Other. Customer Satisfaction Program 25M01 Certain 2021 Model Year F-150 3.0L Diesel Engine and 2020-2022 Model Year Super Duty with 6.7L Diesel Engine Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Sensor Replacement, If Required After Dealer Evaluation Reference: Emissions Recalls 22E02, 22E04, 23E01, and 25E09
SSM550592026-08-03. Service bulletin. Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine, and 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost hybrid engine may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0A1E stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). The vehicle may be unable to enter electric-only drive modes as expected during normal drive cycles. This may be due to the belt integrated starter generator (BISG). For vehicles with this condition, follow the necessary Pinpoint Test in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-06 for DTC P0A1E and repair the vehicle as directed. Note that previous replacement of the BISG does not negate the need for subsequent BISG replacements if directed to do so by the appropriate Pinpoint Test diagnostics. Engineering is investigating this BISG quality concern. Monitor PTS for updates regarding this investigation.