Recall 21V011 covers 147 2020-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles for low rear drive unit lubricant. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 147 2020-2021 Escape, Corsair, Edge, Nautilus, and Bronco Sport vehicles because inadequate lubricant in the rear drive unit can cause the rear drive axle to seize. A seized rear drive unit can cause loss of drive or loss of vehicle control, increasing crash risk, and Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear drive unit on the 2020-2021 Escape, Corsair, Edge, Nautilus, and Bronco Sport sends power through the driveline to the rear axle. It contains gears and bearings that need the correct amount of lubricant to keep metal parts moving smoothly under load.
On affected vehicles, the rear drive unit was filled with too little lubricant because the oil fill nozzle was misaligned during the filling process. With the lubricant level too low, the internal parts run with less protection. Metal surfaces can grind, overheat, and bind until the rear drive axle seizes. In plain terms, seizure means the axle stops rotating the way it should.
The warning sign is a metallic grinding or whining sound from the rear of the vehicle. If that sound shows up, it is the noise Ford identified before this failure condition.
Who's affected?
Covers five Ford and Lincoln SUV lines from the 2020 and 2021 model years, all tied to the rear drive unit driveline component.
| 2020 Ford Escape | driveline |
|---|---|
| 2021 Lincoln Corsair | driveline |
| 2020 Ford Edge | driveline |
| 2020 Lincoln Nautilus | driveline |
| 2021 Ford Edge | driveline |
| 2021 Ford Bronco Sport | driveline |
| Units affected | 147 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific SUV.
What's the safety risk?
A seized rear drive unit can cause loss of drive or loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. A metallic grinding or whining sound from the rear of the vehicle is a warning sign. Stop driving when you hear it and call a Ford dealer for instructions. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Ford Escape, Ford Edge, Ford Bronco Sport, Lincoln Corsair, or Lincoln Nautilus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free rear drive unit lubricant inspection.
- Schedule the lubricant fill or axle replacement if the inspection finds a low rear drive unit level, since low lubricant can lead to rear axle seizure and loss of drive or control.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V011 when you call.
- Drive carefully until the repair is complete, and stop driving if the vehicle shows drivetrain noise, binding, or loss of drive.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician checks the rear drive unit lubricant level. If the axle is at the minimum lubricant level, the technician fills it to the full level. If the axle is below the minimum fill level, the dealer replaces the axle. The recall repair is free. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through Ford's original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork for this concern.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| January 15, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 19, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| January 20, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 1, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 1, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 12, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V011?
Recall 21V011 covers 147 2020-2021 Ford Escape, Corsair, Edge, Nautilus, and Bronco Sport vehicles with rear drive units that lacked enough lubricant. The rear drive unit can seize, causing loss of drive or loss of vehicle control. Ford dealers inspect, fill, or replace the axle for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Ford Escape, Corsair, Edge, Nautilus, or Bronco Sport is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V011. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask for recall 21S02. The dealer checks the rear drive unit lubricant level, then fills or replaces the axle at no cost.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will check the lubricant level, add lubricant, or replace the axle free of charge. Recall 21S02 began March 12, 2021.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is rear drive unit seizure. If the rear drive unit seizes, the vehicle can lose drive or lose vehicle control, increasing crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free dealer repair if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V011000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V011 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V011000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →