Recall 21V746 covers 150,723 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles for rear toe link fracture risk. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
Ford is recalling 150,723 certain 2011-2013 Explorer SUVs because a cross-axis ball joint replacement part can seize and fracture the rear suspension toe link. A fractured rear toe link can cause loss of steering control and raise crash risk; the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear suspension toe link on the 2011-2013 Ford Explorer helps hold the rear wheel at the correct angle as the suspension moves. On these SUVs, some rear knuckle repairs installed a cross-axis ball joint, or CABJ, at the toe link attachment point. That joint is meant to let the suspension pivot while keeping the toe link connected and aligned.
In road-salt states, corrosion can cause the CABJ to seize after years of exposure. When the joint stops moving freely, normal suspension movement puts extra bending stress on the outboard section of the toe link. That stress can fracture the toe link, letting the rear wheel move out of its intended position.
There is no warning sign before failure. The Explorer can feel normal until the joint seizes enough to overload the toe link.
Who's affected?
Covers 2011, 2012, and 2013 Explorer SUVs, all tied to the right rear knuckle in the rear suspension.
| 2011 Ford Explorer | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2012 Ford Explorer | rear suspension |
| 2013 Ford Explorer | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 150,723 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 48 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A fractured rear toe link can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure. Drive cautiously, confirm whether your VIN is included, and contact a Ford dealer for repair timing. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2013 Ford Explorer is included in this recall.
- Review the Ford owner letter for repair timing if you received one, or call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 if no letter reached you.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall number 21V746 to ask whether the free rear suspension inspection and repair can be scheduled.
- Schedule the CABJ, knuckle, and toe-link inspection that fixes the rear toe-link fracture risk tied to loss of steering control.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and stop driving if the rear suspension feels loose or unstable.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician will inspect the rear suspension for a cross-axis ball joint. If one is present, the technician will check its tightness and replace the ball joint, knuckle, or toe link as needed. The dealer repair will be free once Ford opens the final remedy. Ford's standard reimbursement plan covers eligible repair costs owners paid before recall notification, with eligibility listed through June 30, 2022. If you already paid for this rear suspension repair, contact Ford customer service with repair documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 22, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 24, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| September 24, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 1, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 5, 2022 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 17, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V746?
Recall 21V746 covers 150,723 2011-2013 Ford Explorer SUVs with a rear suspension concern. A cross-axis ball joint replacement part can seize and fracture the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link, which can cause loss of steering control and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2011-2013 Ford Explorer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific SUV is included in recall 21V746. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer for the rear suspension inspection. The dealer will inspect the CABJ and replace the CABJ, knuckle, or toe link as needed for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ford dealers will inspect for the CABJ and replace the CABJ, knuckle, or toe link as needed free of charge at any franchised Ford dealer.
Is it safe to drive my Ford Explorer before the repair?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety risk is still serious: a rear toe link fracture can cause loss of steering control. Check your VIN, schedule the free dealer inspection if included, and ask Ford customer service or the dealer about safe handling if the vehicle feels unstable.
What if I bought my Ford Explorer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received Ford's owner letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your Explorer is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 21V746.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V746000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V746 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V746000 |
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 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 →