2025 Ford Explorer Frame Recall (25V316)
Ford Motor Company · 206 vehicles · Reported May 9, 2025
Ford Motor Company is recalling 206 2025 Ford Explorer; 2025 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly. A loose subframe bolt may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 25V316 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 25V316000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 25S43 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | May 9, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2025 Ford Explorer; 2025 Lincoln Aviator |
| Units affected | 206 |
| Build dates | April 1, 2025 to April 2, 2025 |
| Component | Structure > Frame And Members |
| Safety risk | A loose subframe bolt may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2025 Ford Explorer in recall 25V316?
A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly.
Is it safe to drive a 2025 Explorer with recall 25V316?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A loose subframe bolt may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A loose subframe bolt may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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 frame and members, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 25V316?
Recall 25V316 covers 206 vehicles: 2025 Ford Explorer; 2025 Lincoln Aviator.
NHTSA lists 206 vehicles in this campaign, built April 1, 2025 to April 2, 2025. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Ford | Explorer |
| 2025 | Lincoln | Aviator |
What is the fix for the Explorer frame recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect and tighten the subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge.
Dealers will inspect and tighten the subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2025. Ford's number for this recall is 25S43.
When was recall 25V316 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 25V316 to NHTSA on May 9, 2025. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as May 21, 2025.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| April 1, 2025 | First affected vehicle built (per Ford Motor Company's filing). |
| April 2, 2025 | Last affected vehicle built. |
| May 9, 2025 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 25V316000. |
| May 21, 2025 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 17 months ago, and vehicles were built over a span of 1 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 25V316?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V316 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 2025 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 25V316?
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 25V316000 applies to your Explorer.
- Call a Ford dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the frame and members happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Explorer owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 7 of them about the body, doors and seats.
Since recall 25V316 was reported on May 9, 2025, owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the body, doors and seats on these vehicles. 2 of them (29%) 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 body, doors and seats and were received on or after May 9, 2025, 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 body, doors and seats issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 117 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 7 of them involve the body, doors and seats. 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.
- 2025 Ford Explorer: 101 complaints in total, 4 about the body, doors and seats
- 2025 Lincoln Aviator: 16 complaints in total, 3 about the body, doors and seats
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
The 2nd row seats are malfunctioning, sliding up and folding while the car is moving. The button at the top of the seat seems to be getting stuck.
2025 Lincoln Aviator owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11699708, filed November 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was an abnormal windy sound coming from the driver's side-view mirror. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers, where it was determined that the turbulence was caused by the mirror.
2025 Ford Explorer owner, MS, NHTSA complaint 11677512, filed July 31, 2025
This vehicle was a rental car. The rear door opens and closes at random times. On multiple occasions even after locking the car, we would come out to the door being open. The door came down on its own and smacked my wife as well as hitting my [XXX] daughter in the head.
2025 Ford Explorer owner, MD, NHTSA complaint 11755681, filed August 8, 2026
Can recall 25V316 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.
Owners often ask whether this frame and members recall means their Explorer qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Door latch, seat and body structure defects can affect safety in a crash and everyday use. If the recall repair does not solve the problem, the repeat visit is part of your record.
This campaign follows an earlier recall for the same issue. A second recall can mean the first remedy failed, and repeated repair attempts on the same defect are the core of most lemon law claims.
Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 25V020000.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Explorer went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
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 25V316
Did the recall 25V316 fix work?
Since recall 25V316 was reported on May 9, 2025, owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the body, doors and seats on these vehicles. 2 of them (29%) 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 May 21, 2025.
Is the 25V316000 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 25V316000?
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 25V316000 (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, Lincoln. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.