2023 Ford Explorer Macpherson Strut Recall (24V091)
Ford Motor Company · 121 vehicles · Reported February 8, 2024
Ford Motor Company is recalling 121 2023 Ford Explorer vehicles. The right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing. A loose or missing connection between the knuckle and strut can cause improper tire alignment, resulting in a steering pull or require increased steering effort. Additionally, the brake hose may contact the tire and become damaged, resulting in a brake fluid leak and a loss of braking ability. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 24V091 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 24V091000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 24S04 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 8, 2024 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2023 Ford Explorer |
| Units affected | 121 |
| Build dates | December 19, 2023 to December 19, 2023 |
| Component | Suspension > Front > Macpherson Strut |
| Safety risk | A loose or missing connection between the knuckle and strut can cause improper tire alignment, resulting in a steering pull or require increased steering effort. Additionally, the brake hose may contact the tire and become damaged, resulting in a brake fluid leak and a loss of braking ability. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2023 Ford Explorer in recall 24V091?
The right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles. The right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing.
Is it safe to drive a 2023 Explorer with recall 24V091?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A loose or missing connection between the knuckle and strut can cause improper tire alignment, resulting in a steering pull or require increased steering effort. Additionally, the brake hose may contact the tire and become damaged, resulting in a brake fluid leak and a loss of braking ability. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A loose or missing connection between the knuckle and strut can cause improper tire alignment, resulting in a steering pull or require increased steering effort. Additionally, the brake hose may contact the tire and become damaged, resulting in a brake fluid leak and a loss of braking ability. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Explorer shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the macpherson strut, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 24V091?
Recall 24V091 covers 121 vehicles: 2023 Ford Explorer.
NHTSA lists 121 vehicles in this campaign, built December 19, 2023 to December 19, 2023. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Ford | Explorer |
What is the fix for the Explorer macpherson strut recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect the fasteners, and tighten or install them as necessary, free of charge.
Dealers will inspect the fasteners, and tighten or install them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 08, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S04.
When was recall 24V091 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 24V091 to NHTSA on February 8, 2024. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as March 08, 2024.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| December 19, 2023 | First affected vehicle built (per Ford Motor Company's filing). |
| December 19, 2023 | Last affected vehicle built. |
| February 8, 2024 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 24V091000. |
| March 8, 2024 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 32 months ago, and vehicles were built over a span of 0 days. If your Explorer was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Explorer is part of recall 24V091?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 24V091 is open on your Explorer, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2023 Explorer vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Explorer owners do about recall 24V091?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 24V091000 applies to your Explorer.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ford dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any macpherson strut symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Explorer owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 110 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 15 of them about the suspension, wheels and tires.
Since recall 24V091 was reported on February 8, 2024, owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the suspension, wheels and tires on these vehicles. 2 of them (14%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the suspension, wheels and tires and were received on or after February 8, 2024, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related suspension, wheels and tires issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 110 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 15 of them involve the suspension, wheels and tires. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2023 Ford Explorer: 110 complaints in total, 15 about the suspension, wheels and tires
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
popping/rattling sound coming from front passenger side and transmission is shifting hard at lower gears. vehicle is in shop waiting on repairs. front struts bad and had to be replaced at 12,555 miles. transmission software had to be upgraded and wiring harness for transmission under vehicle had to be repaired.
2023 Ford Explorer owner, AR, NHTSA complaint 11638233, filed January 24, 2025
Around 20,000 miles, I took my vehicle to the dealer due to rattling and knocking in the front right wheel well and it was discovered the stabilizer arm was cracked.
2023 Ford Explorer owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11648886, filed March 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn into the intended direction. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle failed to remain in the intended lane while driving.
2023 Ford Explorer owner, WV, NHTSA complaint 11665773, filed June 9, 2025
Can recall 24V091 make my Explorer a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Suspension, wheel and tire defects can affect handling and control. Clunks, pulling and vibration that return after a repair point to a defect that has not been fixed.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2023 Ford Explorer has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case 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.
Has your Explorer been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford Explorer recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 24V091
Did the recall 24V091 fix work?
Since recall 24V091 was reported on February 8, 2024, owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the suspension, wheels and tires on these vehicles. 2 of them (14%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed March 08, 2024.
Is the 24V091000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Explorer is part of recall 24V091000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
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 recall record 24V091000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.