Recall 20V693 covers 10,905 2020 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles for drive shaft fractures. Repair is free at any franchised Lincoln dealer.
Lincoln is recalling 10,905 2020 Aviator and Explorer vehicles under recall 20V693 because the drive shaft can fracture at the weld seam. The broken shaft can cause rollaway in Park, loss of drive, or fuel-tank contact that raises fire risk; Lincoln dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The drive shaft on these 2020 Aviator and Explorer vehicles is the rotating metal tube that carries engine power from the 10 Speed Automatic Transmission to the all wheel drive system. It has to spin straight and stay solid while the vehicle accelerates, cruises, and changes speed. If it cracks or breaks, power no longer moves through the driveline the way it should.
In this recall, the problem starts at the tube weld seam, the joined line where the drive shaft tube was welded during manufacturing. A supplier's welding equipment overheated and shut down, leaving insufficient weld penetration in one defective tube. That weak weld was then built into drive shafts, and the shaft can fracture along that welded line during driving.
Owners can notice noise and vibration while driving before the drive shaft breaks. Treat new driveline vibration, thumping, or unusual noise from under the vehicle as the warning sign for this recall.
Who's affected?
Both listed models share the same affected driveline component; the VIN is the way to separate included SUVs from similar ones.
| 2020 Lincoln Aviator | driveline |
|---|---|
| 2020 Ford Explorer | driveline |
| Units affected | 10,905 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2020 Aviator or Explorer does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A defective drive shaft can break the connection between the transfer case and rear axle. That can cause a rollaway in Park or a loss of drive, increasing crash risk. A separated shaft can also hit the fuel tank and increase the risk of a fuel leak or fire. Noise or vibration while driving is a warning sign. Schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Lincoln dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Lincoln Aviator or Explorer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Lincoln dealer to schedule the free drive-shaft inspection and replacement for the fracture-prone shaft.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V693 when you call.
- Drive carefully until the repair is complete. Set the parking brake before leaving the vehicle and stop driving if you feel a loss of drive.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Lincoln technician inspects the drive shaft label to confirm whether the installed shaft is included in the recall, then replaces the drive shaft when the inspection calls for it. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Lincoln excludes a separate reimbursement program because the original warranty program covers a free repair for this concern. Ask the Lincoln service desk how warranty coverage applies if you already have paperwork for a related drive shaft repair.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| November 10, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 12, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| November 12, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 11, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 14, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 14, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V693?
Recall 20V693 covers 10,905 2020 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles with a driveshaft that can fracture along the weld area. A failed driveshaft can cause rollaway in Park, loss of drive, or fuel tank contact. Lincoln dealers will inspect the driveshaft label and replace the driveshaft as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2020 Lincoln Aviator or Explorer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V693. If it is, contact a franchised Lincoln dealer and ask for the driveshaft inspection under recall 20V693. The dealer will replace the driveshaft as needed at no cost.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. For recall 20V693, Lincoln dealers will inspect the driveshaft label and replace the driveshaft as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of drive, rollaway while the vehicle is in Park, and fuel leak or fire risk if the separated driveshaft contacts the fuel tank. These conditions increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you bought the vehicle used or never received the original notice, check your VIN and reference recall 20V693 when you call a franchised Lincoln dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V693000 |
|---|---|
| Lincoln customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V693 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V693000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →