Recall 21V537 affects 631,176 2013-2017 Ford Explorer SUVs for rear toe-link corrosion and fracture. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 631,176 2013-2017 Explorer SUVs originally sold or registered in road-salt states because corrosion can seize the cross-axis ball joint and fracture the rear suspension toe link. A fractured rear toe link can cause loss of steering control and increase crash risk; Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear suspension toe link on a 2013-2017 Ford Explorer helps set the angle of the rear wheel. It connects to the rear knuckle through a cross-axis ball joint, a pivot point that lets the suspension move while keeping the wheel pointed in the right direction. When the toe link holds that angle, the SUV tracks straight and the rear tires stay aligned.
On affected Explorers, years of road-salt exposure in listed corrosion areas can corrode that ball joint and make it seize. Once the joint stops pivoting, normal suspension movement puts extra bending stress into the outboard section of the toe link. That stress can fracture the toe link, leaving the rear wheel no longer held in its intended position.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the toe link breaks, the rear of the vehicle can shift out of alignment suddenly, which affects steering control.
Who's affected?
The same rear suspension knuckle assembly appears across each listed model year.
| 2013 Ford Explorer | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2014 Ford Explorer | rear suspension |
| 2015 Ford Explorer | rear suspension |
| 2016 Ford Explorer | rear suspension |
| 2017 Ford Explorer | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 631,176 |
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 rear toe-link fracture can cause loss of steering control and increase crash risk. There is no warning sign before failure, so drive cautiously and schedule the repair soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2017 Ford Explorer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free cross-axis ball joint knuckle inspection and rear toe-link replacement that addresses road-salt corrosion and rear toe-link fracture risk.
- Ask the Ford dealer whether your Explorer needs the new remedy even if a prior rear-suspension recall repair was completed.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V537 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete because a rear toe-link fracture can cause loss of steering control.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the cross axis ball joint knuckle and replaces it if needed, then replaces the rear suspension toe links. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Ford says certain Explorer vehicles that were repaired under earlier related recalls need to return for this remedy. If you already paid for a related remedy before the safety recall notice, Ford's reimbursement plan covers eligible owner paid repairs. Bring repair paperwork and payment records to the service desk, or contact Ford customer service to start the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 15, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 15, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| July 15, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 23, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 16, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V537?
Recall 21V537 covers 631,176 2013-2017 Ford Explorer vehicles exposed to road salt in listed states and the District of Columbia. Corrosion can seize the cross-axis ball joint and fracture the rear suspension toe link, increasing crash risk. Ford dealers inspect and repair the rear suspension for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2017 Ford Explorer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Explorer is included in recall 21V537. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the rear suspension inspection and repair. Reference recall number 21V537 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ford will inspect the cross-axis ball joint knuckle and replace rear suspension toe links free of charge at any franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V537?
The risk is loss of steering control from a rear toe-link fracture. In recall 21V537, road salt corrosion can seize the cross-axis ball joint, which can break the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link and increase crash risk.
What if I bought my Ford Explorer used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2013-2017 Ford Explorer is included, especially if it was ever registered in one of the covered road-salt states or the District of Columbia.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V537000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V537 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V537000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →