Service bulletin SSM 52435

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)
Type	Service bulletin
NHTSA id	10253684
Published by NHTSA	2024-04-29
Manufacturer's number	SSM 52435
Manufacturer's date	2024-04-10
NHTSA component	STRUCTURE: UNDERRIDE; UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NHTSA's summary

Some 2020-2023 Explorer vehicles may exhibit various issues with the roof rack side. If there is an issue with the roof rack side that requires replacement, a lower level service part is now available separately (7855114 and 7855115). It is no longer necessary to replace the entire roof rack assembly.

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

Body and frame

Vehicles listed
FORD EXPLORER	2020, 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
2022336	2022-06-24. Structure
22V454000	2022-06-24. ENGINE; STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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 55069	2026-08-11. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a power roof opening panel may exhibit a sunshield with localized bunching or binding/inoperative. This may be due to a broken or missing sunshield fabric retainer/clip. A revised sunshield clip (LJ6Z-5452118-B) is now available to address this condition. It is not necessary to replace the entire sunshield assembly if the clip(s) are broken or missing. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-17 Roof Opening Panel > General Procedures > Inspection and Replacement of the Roof Opening Panel Shield Clip.
SSM 54646	2026-05-05. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility hybrid vehicles may exhibit a "Refuel Error See Manual" message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) after installing a replacement fuel filler door assembly (7827936). This may be due to a concern with the replacement fuel filler door assembly. If diagnostics in the Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-14 Body > Handles, Locks, Latches and Entry Systems > lead to fuel filler door switch replacement, install a new fuel filler door assembly ordered from depot stock to correct this condition. Suspect parts have been cleared from parts depot inventory.
SSM 54601	2026-02-27. Service bulletin. Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k
SSM 54516	2026-01-27. Service bulletin. 2020-2026 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may require level III ballistic panels to be replaced due to broken mounting tabs. Individual level III ballistic panel mounting tab service parts are now available: right-hand (78201B68) and left-hand (78201B69). Replacement of the level III ballistic panel assembly is not required for this condition. Level IV ballistic panels do not have removable mounting tabs and still require complete panel replacement. Level III vs level IV ballistic panels can be identified by a large roman numeral label on the panel or by the vehicle window sticker if equipped.
Customer Script-Expl Hood	2025-09-29. Other. 2020-2025 MY Explorer hood- customer script
SSM 54202	2025-09-18. Service bulletin. Some 2023-2025 Explorer (rear windows only), Bronco Sport, Escape, and Maverick vehicles equipped with minor feature code B2DAC may exhibit an inoperative passenger front and/or rear window switch. To confirm a vehicle is built with a certain minor feature code, review the build information by clicking "Additional Information" under Vehicle Information or double-clicking the vehicle identification number (VIN) in the upper left corner of Professional Technician System (PTS). This may be due to an open diode in one of the passenger window switches. To correct the condition, replace the passenger window switch of the affected window. If the condition persists continue with normal diagnostics. Refer to Workshop Manual, Section 501-11. For claiming, use causal part 14529 and labor operation 14529A in the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
TSB 24-2044	2024-03-07. Service bulletin. This article supersedes TSB 23-2181 to add 2024 vehicle model year. Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit a lack of audio and/or a water leak in the rear liftgate area and/or water in the spare tire area. The customer may indicate that this concern is more noticeable after a car wash or rainfall. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to identify the leak path.
SSM 52269	2024-02-23. Service bulletin. 2022-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles built on or after 28-May-2022, 2022-2024 Expedition/Navigator vehicles built on or after 08-Jun-2022, 2022-2024 Escape vehicles built on or after 01-Jun-2022 and 2022 Corsair vehicles built on or after 01-Jun-2022 are no longer equipped with a hands free liftgate system. The vehicle is not misbuilt. The addition of any parts is not a warrantable repair. Do not submit a claim for this condition.
SSM 51875	2023-09-02. Service bulletin. On 2020-2023 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, customers may desire modifications that require access to the drivers door ajar circuit. In some cases customers may experience an ajar light on when the drivers door is fully closed. When using pin 13 on the factory 14-way connector to access the drivers door ajar circuit, a 70 mA maximum coil current relay with an integrated clamping diode is required to protect against damage to the door latch. Failure to install this correctly will result in repeat warnings that the drivers door latch / door ajar light will remain on until it is compliant with police modifiers bulletin P-032, which can be found on the Police body builders site (https://fordbbas.com/publications).
TSB 23-2181	2023-06-30. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit a lack of audio and/or a water leak in the rear liftgate area and/or water in the spare tire area. The customer may indicate that this concern is more noticeable after a car wash or rainfall. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to identify the leak path.