NHTSA recall 21V870000
A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.
| Published by | NHTSA (United States) |
|---|---|
| Campaign number | 21V870000 |
| Manufacturer's number | 21S47 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Reported | 2021-11-10 |
| Owners notified | 2021-12-03 |
| Component | SUSPENSION:REAR |
| Units potentially affected | 20 |
| Part numbers | N/A, specific to VIN |
| Report | Annual report 2, for 2024 quarter 4 to 2025 quarter 3 |
|---|---|
| Filed with NHTSA | 2025-10-28 |
| Vehicles in the campaign | 20 |
| Reported remedied | 17 (85%) |
| Reported unreachable | 1 |
| Reported removed | 0 |
These are the manufacturer's totals for the whole campaign at the end of 2025 quarter 3, as filed with NHTSA. They do not say whether one vehicle has been remedied: check the VIN with the official lookups. The reports are from data as of 2026-10-19.
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Incorrect rear suspension module components may have been installed due to a labeling error.
What can happen
A rear suspension module with incorrect components may affect vehicle handling, ride height, and braking characteristics, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the rear suspension module, and replace any incorrect parts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S47.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
| 2021 FORD EXPLORER | |
|---|---|
| 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR |
A vehicle with no link is not in this site's catalog, which covers cars, multipurpose vehicles and trucks by model year. The campaign is from data as of 2026-10-19.
Bulletins for the same vehicles and component
| TSB 25-2568 V2 | 2026-10-01. Service bulletin. This article supersedes TSB 25-2373 to update a print error on publication. Some vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) C00A6 and/or C0631. This may be due to the front axle disconnect actuator/intermediate shaft. |
|---|---|
| TSB 26-2242 | 2026-05-26. Service bulletin. This bulletin supersedes 25-2213. Reason for update: update the Service Procedure to add notes to clarify the customer symptoms, applicability of this TSB, directing technicians to evaluate both front strut mounts, and add Figure 1 to identify the specific area of the strut mount to observe. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a click/pop noise while turning the steering wheel from straight ahead to full lock during low speed turning events. This noise may be due to the front upper strut mount washer movement under steering loads. |
| TSB 25-2568 | 2026-01-13. Service bulletin. This article supersedes TSB 25-2373 to update a print error on publication. Some vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) C00A6 and/or C0631. This may be due to the front axle disconnect actuator/intermediate shaft. |
| 24N01 S1 | 2024-11-05. Service bulletin. In some of the affected vehicles, the rear axle bolt may fracture. 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 transmission torque to the rear wheels. Transmission torque is necessary to hold the vehicle in park and is also needed for the vehicle to move forward or backward. Reason for supplement: updated tech instructions and parts list update |
| SSM 51821 | 2023-08-10. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with AWD may exhibit a binding or shudder sensation while turning and/or while accelerating from low speeds. The concern may also be described as a grinding and/or chatter noise. If the Workshop Manual (WSM) leads to replacement of the rear axle, inspect the differential for damage and differential fluid for metallic chunks in the fluid. Note that some metallic flake in the fluid and/or discoloration is normal and the rear axle should not be replaced for it. If no damage is found to the rear differential, it is not recommended to replace the rear axle assembly. Instead, refer to the Symptom Charts in WSM, Section 307-07A for further diagnosis of the transfer case. |
| SSM 51640 | 2023-05-16. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped with air suspension may require service of a front air spring/strut. Complete front air spring/strut assemblies are now available and can be replaced instead of replacing individual components of the front air spring or front struts for warranty and retail repairs. Part numbers are LC5Z-3C098-A (right) and LC5Z-3C098-C (left) for non-hybrid vehicles, and LC5Z-3C098-B (right) and LC5Z-3C098-D (left) for hybrid vehicles. Front spring/strut assembly replacement is recommended to make sure a successful repair is performed. |
| SSM 51621 | 2023-05-16. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped with air suspension may exhibit a drive malfunction and/or suspension fault message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B1041 and U2100 stored in the SUMA. This may be due to the SUMA entering diagnostic service mode after an on-demand (OD) self-test following suspension system diagnosis or repair. Use the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) > SUMA > Run All CM (Continuous Memory) DTCs. Do not run FDRS > SUMA > OD and CM DTCs to prevent invalid DTCs. If an OD self-test was run, clear DTCs using FDRS > SUMA > Transport and Factory Mode Deactivation function. For other DTCs refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 204-05 (Vehicle Dynamic Suspension) for normal diagnostics. |
| 22N06 | 2022-10-05. Service bulletin. Certain 2020-2022 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Rear Axle Bolt Replacement REF : NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD Safety Recall 22S27 Supplement #3 |
| SSM 50930 | 2022-07-20. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2021 Aviator vehicles equipped with air suspension may exhibit a Drive Malfunction and/or Suspension Fault message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B1041 and U2100 stored in the SUMA. This may be due to the SUMA entering into a diagnostic service mode after an on-demand self-test or module replacement. If no other DTCs are present, use the latest software version of the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) scan tool to update and configure the SUMA. If other DTCs are present, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 204-05 for normal diagnostics. For claiming use causal part 5319 and applicable labor times found in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual. |
| 22N06 | 2022-06-13. Service bulletin. Certain 2020-2022 Model Year Explorer (Non-Police) Vehicles - Rear Axle Repair After Bolt Fracture. In some of the affected vehicles, the rear axle mounting bolt may fracture during vehicle acceleration. 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/half shafts may become disconnected, resulting in loss of transmission torque to the rear wheels which is necessary to hold the vehicle in park. 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. |
A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.