2024-2026 Ford Explorer Trailer Hitch Recall (25V687)
Ford Motor Company · 1,412 vehicles · Reported October 10, 2025
Ford Motor Company is recalling 1,412 2024-2026 Ford Explorer; 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose. While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 25V687 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 25V687000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 25SA3 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | October 10, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2024-2026 Ford Explorer; 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator |
| Units affected | 1,412 |
| Component | Trailer Hitches |
| Safety risk | While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2024-2026 Ford Explorer in recall 25V687?
The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
Is it safe to drive a 2024-2026 Explorer with recall 25V687?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions 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 trailer hitches, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 25V687?
Recall 25V687 covers 1,412 vehicles: 2024-2026 Ford Explorer; 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator.
NHTSA lists 1,412 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2026 | Ford | Explorer |
| 2024-2026 | Lincoln | Aviator |
What is the fix for the Explorer trailer hitch recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge.
Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
When was recall 25V687 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 25V687 to NHTSA on October 10, 2025. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as October 29, 2025.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 10, 2025 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 25V687000. |
| October 29, 2025 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 12 months ago. 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 25V687?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V687 is open on your Explorer, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 25V687000 is open on your Explorer, it will be listed there, along with Ford recall number 25SA3. You can also ask any Ford dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Explorer owners do about recall 25V687?
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 25V687000 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.
- 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 trailer hitches 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 186 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 36 of them about the other equipment.
Since recall 25V687 was reported on October 10, 2025, owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA about the other equipment on these vehicles. 5 of them (23%) 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 other equipment and were received on or after October 10, 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 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related other equipment issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 186 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 36 of them involve the other equipment. 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, 17 about the other equipment
- 2026 Ford Explorer: 38 complaints in total, 10 about the other equipment
- 2024 Ford Explorer: 21 complaints in total, 4 about the other equipment
- 2025 Lincoln Aviator: 16 complaints in total, 1 about the other equipment
- 2024 Lincoln Aviator: 7 complaints in total, 4 about the other equipment
- 2026 Lincoln Aviator: 3 complaints in total, 0 about the other equipment
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
I was driving home from work on the interstate. It was not overly crowded and not many vehicles around me. I was going the speed limit. All the sudden I heard a loud pop and a very loud sound. I wasn’t sure exactly what happened.
2026 Ford Explorer owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11730076, filed April 8, 2026
While driving, Sirius XM pushes advertisements to my infotainment display. These notifications are distracting to driving and they WILL cause an accident. This practice should be banned outright and a monetary fine placed on Sirius XM for impairing driving. Completely unacceptable placement of advertisements and it is going to get someone seriously injured or worse.
2026 Ford Explorer owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11730312, filed April 10, 2026
Hello, I am contacting Ford regarding a serious concern with my newly purchased 2026 Ford Explorer ST. Within days of purchase, we discovered water leaking from the moonroof area into the interior of the vehicle, including water coming through the seatbelt pillar area , wetting the roof as well, during rain and vehicle washes.
2026 Ford Explorer owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11738409, filed May 17, 2026
Can recall 25V687 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)).
What matters for a lemon law claim is not the recall label but whether the defect substantially impairs the 2024-2026 Ford Explorer and whether the dealer can fix it in a reasonable number of tries.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
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 25V687
Did the recall 25V687 fix work?
Since recall 25V687 was reported on October 10, 2025, owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA about the other equipment on these vehicles. 5 of them (23%) 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 October 29, 2025.
Is the 25V687000 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 25V687000?
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 25V687000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 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 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.