NHTSA Recall Query: Rear Axle Bolt Failure in 2021-2022 Ford Explorer (RQ23-002)
Opened June 20, 2023 · Ford Motor Company
NHTSA opened a recall query (RQ23-002) on June 20, 2023 into rear axle bolt failure in 2021-2022 Ford Explorer. The investigation is closed on February 15, 2024 and led to recall 23V675000.
RQ23-002 at a glance
| NHTSA action number | RQ23-002 |
|---|---|
| Type | Recall Query |
| Opened | June 20, 2023 |
| Status | Closed February 15, 2024 |
| Vehicles | 2021-2022 Ford Explorer |
| Component | Power Train > Axle Assembly |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Resulting recall | 23V675000 |
What is NHTSA investigating in the Ford Explorer?
From NHTSA’s investigation summary:
On July 17, 2023, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened this Recall Query (RQ) after receiving 2 consumer complaints alleging loss of vehicle forward power and/or loss of transmission torque of the rear wheels in model year (MY) 2020-2022 Ford Explorer vehicles (subject vehicles).
The RQ was opened to focus on the effectiveness of the remedies of Recalls 22V-255 and 23V-199 related to the alleged problem.
Recall 22V-255 involved replacing the bushing and axle cover in the following subject vehicles: 3.3L FHEV Police built before October 14, 2020, and 3.3L Gas Police vehicle built before January 31, 2021.
For 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3LFHEV, and 3.0LST retail (non-police) vehicles, the recall provided an PCM software update to engage the Electronic Park Brake (EPB) when Park is commanded.
The recall addressed a breakage of the rear axle bolt that can cause the driveshaft/half shafts to disconnect, resulting in a loss of transmission torque to the rear wheels necessary to hold 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.
Recall 23V-199 addressed 674 of the subject vehicles produced from February 2, 2019 to April 4, 2022, which received an incorrect remedy under Recall 22V-255.
The affected vehicles had received a previous Powertrain Control Module (PCM) update which did not include an automatic EPB engagement when vehicle is shifted to park.
On October 17, 2023, Ford filed a new safety recall (Recall 23V-675) covering 238,364 MY 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles with the following powertrains: 3.3L FHEV Police, 3.3L Gas Police, 3.0L Gas Police, 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3L FHEV, 3.0L RWD and 3.0L AWD, produced from October 22, 2018 to July 6, 2022, equipped with a 3-point mounted axle design.
Ford stated that the cause of the bolt fracture is due to joint design not robust to peak axle input torques and manufacturing variability.
The primary contributor is insufficient bearings for maximum joint loads.
This can result in bearing deformation, increasing bending stress on the bolt, which may lead to fatigue failure.
On January 19, 2023, Ford amended Recall 23V-675 to add 1,942 MY 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles with the following powertrain: 3.0L RWD Platinum and King Ranch variant, produced from October 22, 2018 to July 6, 2022, equipped with a 3-point mounted axle design.
In addition to the safety recall, Ford will conduct a customer satisfaction program for the following MY 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles with the following powertrains: 2.3L AWD, 3.3L Gas Retail, 3.0L Gas AWD Platinum and King Ranch, produced from October 22, 2018 to July 6, 2022.
Ford stated that the Explorer powerpack variants not covered under Recalled 23V-675 do not present an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety due to the combination of lower peak torque levels and torque management strategies to share inputs between front and rear axles, reducing occurrence of higher torque.
According to Ford, this is also evidenced by the lower current and projected failure rates.
In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this RQ.
NHTSA will continue to monitor complaints from the customer satisfaction program vehicles and reopen this issue, if necessary.
The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
What is a recall query?
Recall Query is a review of whether an earlier recall actually fixed the problem or covered all the vehicles it should have. A recall query is opened when owners keep reporting the same failure after the recall repair.
Did this investigation lead to a recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists recall 23V675000 as the result of this investigation: 2021-2022 Ford Explorer Driveshaft Recall (23V675).
Which vehicles are part of this investigation?
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | Ford | Explorer |
What are Ford Explorer owners reporting to NHTSA?
NHTSA’s public database lists 697 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
What should owners do?
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
- If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
- Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
- File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
- If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.
Recalls on the same vehicles
- 2026 Ford Explorer Front Air Bag Recall (26V581)
- 2026 Ford Explorer Engine Recall (26V548)
- 2026 Ford Explorer Engine Recall (26V532)
- 2025-2027 Ford Explorer Seat Power Seat Recall (26V470)
- 2021-2027 Lincoln Aviator Rear Seat Recall (26V451)
- 2021 Lincoln Navigator Transmission Recall (26V402)
- 2024 Ford Explorer Transmission Recall (26V371)
- 2025-2026 Ford Explorer Engine Recall (26V343)
- 2026 Lincoln Aviator Fan and Motor Recall (26V202)
- 2026 Ford Explorer Engine Recall (26V205)
Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?
Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).
An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA investigation, recall and complaint data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page reports public NHTSA data and is general information, not legal advice. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.