2017 Ford Explorer suspension problems

Related recalls

• Recall 26V101000Feb 20, 2026412,774 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:REAR

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.

  Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.

• Recall 21V537000Jul 15, 2021631,176 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:REAR

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.

  Risk: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.

• Recall 20V675000Mar 12, 2021454,941 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:REAR

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.

  Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.

• Recall 19V435000Jun 10, 20191,194,173 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:REAR

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

  Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 4, 2026CASuspension

   New Tow Link replacement from recall 20S62 damage my new Tires. New redesign Toe links are unable to hold alignment and are damaging tires prematurely. I have called the dealer that performed the Service (Citrus Motors in Ontario California) and spoke with Service Manager Cesar. I told him the problem I was having to find a solution, he could not help me. He suggested I pay $280 for a diagnostic and if alignment was the problem that will go towards it. I told him I can not…

   NHTSA complaint #11754760 · source
2. Filed Jul 2, 2026VASuspension

   Vehicle was brought in to Magic city ford for a state inspection and was informed that there was a recall on the suspension to replace the tow link in the rear. Vehicle was inspected and tire tread level documented etc . Vehicle was driven 3,000 miles over the next 60 days, including a family trip to the beach. It was then noticed that the rear tires were completely bald on outer half of the tire with one showing cords. Vehicle was taken to Ford dealership who claimed that…

   NHTSA complaint #11748045 · source
3. Filed Jul 1, 2026NYSuspension

   My Explorer had Recall 21S32 completed at the dealership on April 1st. The remedy for recall 21S32 was insufficient. Within a month and a half I began hearing a metal clanking noise coming from the rear of the Explorer when I went over bumps. Very quickly the clanking became a lot of frequent loud squeaking. I brought it back to the dealership and they immediately heard the noise and were able to diagnose the problem as coming from the driver side rear wheel knuckle bushing.…

   NHTSA complaint #11747719 · source
4. Filed Jun 10, 2026MNSuspensionWheels & Tires

   Rear suspension toe links have failed after prior recall repair in Canada in May of 2022. The vehicle is now registered in the US and the recall repair has failed causing driving, suspension, and extreme tire wearing.

   NHTSA complaint #11743282 · source
5. Filed Jun 4, 2026NYSuspension

   I had the rear toe links replaced under recall 21s32 on April 1, 2026. Within a month I started hearing a clunking noise from the back drivers side wheel whenever I hit a bump. My local mechanic looked at the Explorer and said the problem is the knuckle bushing. I contacted the Ford service department and asked them to fix it under customer satisfaction program 22N01. They told me I wasn’t eligible but for $185 they could do a diagnostic test and I’d be responsible for the…

   NHTSA complaint #11742044 · source
6. Filed Apr 27, 2026142,000 miMOBody & StructureSuspension

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on both sides of the windshield started to detach. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (Structure) and 26V101000 (Suspension); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not available. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11734141 · source
7. Filed Mar 24, 2026138,871 miMICrash1 injuredSuspension

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after the completion of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V675000(Suspension), the vehicle started experiencing suspension failures. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated and made an abnormal clunking sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle felt like the front end suspension was fighting with the rear end suspension, causing the contact to lose…

   NHTSA complaint #11726738 · source
8. Filed Dec 4, 2025NDSuspension

   Cars rear end sways all over the place almost spun out on highway. I did some research and saw numerous recalls on the toe link in the rear of vehicle and have a good feeling its faulty again. I see it was replaced numerous times do to recall. Was wondering if there's like a warranty on recall work done

   NHTSA complaint #11703125 · source
9. Filed Aug 4, 202545,000 miMOSteeringSuspension

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop from a traffic light, the vehicle made an abnormally loud popping sound. The contact exited and inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that upon attempting to resume driving, the steering wheel was uncontrollable, the suspension seemed to have failed, and the vehicle was sliding. The message "Terrain Management System Fault"…

   NHTSA complaint #11678163 · source
10. Filed Jul 18, 2025OHSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

    Delayed in transmission in gauging when going down hills especially going up them and causing vibration slowing down while vehicle moving.This is Ford Explorer XLT model 2.3 motor type 6 Speed automatic VIN:[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint #11674662 · source
11. Filed Mar 7, 2025WASuspension

    After rear toe link replacement due to safety recall, the camber causes the wear on the outside of the rear tires to increase drastically. Even after several alignments the camber can not be adjusted so the wear continues.

    NHTSA complaint #11647058 · source
12. Filed Dec 15, 2024WVSteeringSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

    The transmission stops switching gears after going 70 mph on the highway no acceleration was possible Just stopped working. I had my kids with me I had a tractor trailer behind me and in front of me and beside me on a very busy highway going 70 mph and the transmission just stopped working no gas was it was just redlining when it was supposed to be accelerating no gears were reached I had to throw it in park throw it back into sports mode they're back into drive they're back…

    NHTSA complaint #11630775 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology