# Service bulletin SSM 54275

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.

- Type: Service bulletin
- NHTSA id: 11024271
- Published by NHTSA: 2025\-10\-14
- Manufacturer's number: SSM 54275
- Manufacturer's date: 2025\-10\-07
- NHTSA component: ENGINE

## NHTSA's summary

Some 2021\-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine, 2021\-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost or 3.0L plug\-in hybrid electric vehicle \(PHEV\) engine, 2021\-2023 Edge/Nautilus vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost, 2021\-2024 F\-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost, and 2021\-2024 Bronco and 2024 Ranger 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. This noise may occur 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 an internal component of the variable cam timing \(VCT\) unit. Workshop Manual \(WSM\), Section 303\-00 \> Diagnosis and Testing \> Engine \> Pinpoint Test F has been updated to include additional steps along with a video to identify the affected VCT unit that requires replacement.

## The document

- [NHTSA's copy of the document (PDF)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2025/MC-11024271-0001.pdf)
- [If that address does not open, try this one](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2025/MC-11024271-9999.pdf)

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it.

## Components

Engine

## Vehicles listed

- 2021 to 2024 FORD BRONCO
- 2021 to 2023 FORD EDGE
- 2021 to 2023 FORD EXPLORER
- 2021 to 2024 FORD F\-150
- 2024 FORD RANGER
- 2021 to 2023 LINCOLN AVIATOR
- 2021 to 2023 LINCOLN AVIATOR PHEV
- 2007 LINCOLN MKX
- 2021 to 2023 LINCOLN NAUTILUS

## Recalls for the same vehicles and component

- [26V468000](/recalls/nhtsa/26V468000.md), 2026-07-20: ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
- [2025163](/recalls/tc/2025163.md), 2025-03-28: Engine
- [25V198000](/recalls/nhtsa/25V198000.md), 2025-03-28: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
- [24V851000](/recalls/nhtsa/24V851000.md), 2024-12-20: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
- [2024687](/recalls/tc/2024687.md), 2024-11-08: Engine
- [2024492](/recalls/tc/2024492.md), 2024-08-23: Engine
- [24V635000](/recalls/nhtsa/24V635000.md), 2024-08-23: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
- [24V598000](/recalls/nhtsa/24V598000.md), 2024-08-09: ENGINE
- [23V597000](/recalls/nhtsa/23V597000.md), 2023-08-25: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PIPES, HOSES, AND FITTINGS; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
- [22V454000](/recalls/nhtsa/22V454000.md), 2022-06-24: ENGINE; STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

## Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component

- [SSM 55228](/bulletins/11038440.md), 2026-10-12, Service bulletin: ENGINE; UNKNOWN OR OTHER. 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.
- [SSM 55217](/bulletins/11038165.md), 2026-10-06, Service bulletin: ENGINE; UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Some 2020\-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L EcoBoost/hybrid engine may exhibit blue or black exhaust smoke on startup for the first 5 minutes after an overnight cold soak with no illuminated malfunction indicator lamp \(MIL\) or powertrain diagnostic trouble codes \(DTCs\) present. This may be due to engine oil breaching the dynamic oil seals separating the bearing core from the turbine housing in the left side turbocharger assembly. There is a new, updated left side turbocharger oil supply tube equipped with an internal check valve to prevent the engine oil from entering turbine housing after the engine is off. Replace the existing left side turbocharger oil supply tube with the updated service part that includes the check valve \(service part\# L1MZ\-9T516\-B\) or latest level part. Refer to the Workshop Manual \(WSM\), Section 303\-04 Fuel Charging and Controls \- Turbocharger \> Removal and Installation \> Turbocharger Oil Supply Tube LH. For claiming, use causal part 9T516 and labor operation code 9440AL.
- [25L05](/bulletins/11036599.md), 2026-09-02, Other: UNKNOWN OR OTHER; ENGINE. Updated instructions
- [TSB 26\-2372](/bulletins/11036309.md), 2026-08-21, Service bulletin: UNKNOWN OR OTHER; ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin supersedes 26\-2301. Reason for update: to update the Pinpoint Tests referenced in Step 1. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may require the replacement of the ambient air temperature sensor for various concerns. DTCs P0071, P0072, and/or P0073 may be present in the powertrain control module \(PCM\).
- [TCU\-26.2.11.5 F\-150](/bulletins/11036226.md), 2026-08-18, Over\-the\-air update: ENGINE; UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Quality improvements include: \- Connectivity robustness updates
- [25M01](/bulletins/11035635.md), 2026-08-04, Other: ENGINE; UNKNOWN OR 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
- [PT\-26.11.3 F\-150](/bulletins/11035261.md), 2026-07-28, Over\-the\-air update: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; ENGINE. 25S75 Recall remedy \-Powertrain Control Module update to introduce logic to prevent low pressure fuel pump binding and maintain fuel flow to the engine.
- [25B51](/bulletins/11033577.md), 2026-06-05, Other: ENGINE. Certain 2021\-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021\-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020\-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016\-2024 Model Year Explorer, 2019\-2020 Model Year Fusion, 2016\-2018 Model Year Focus RS, 2022\-2024 Model Year Maverick, 2016\-2019 Model Year MKC and 2019\-2024 Model Year Ranger Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L or 2.3L Engine and Engine Block Heater System Block Heater Replacement
- [TSB 26\-2210](/bulletins/11033573.md), 2026-06-05, Service bulletin: POWER TRAIN; ENGINE. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following conditions: \* Engine misfire condition \* Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp \(MIL\) with diagnostic trouble codes \(DTC\) P0301, P0302, P0303, and/or P0304 stored in the powertrain control module \(PCM\)
- [TSB 26\-2233](/bulletins/11032747.md), 2026-05-18, Service bulletin: ENGINE. This article supersedes TSB 26\-2116 to clarify the prior approval statement. Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit an oil leak from the oil filter adapter to engine block mounting area. This may be due to block porosity or a block crack just below the oil filter adapter near the main bearing cap outer bolt.

JSON: [/v1/bulletins/11024271](/v1/bulletins/11024271)

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