Recall 24V031 affects 1,889,110 2011-2019 Ford Explorer SUVs for loose A-pillar trim. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 1,889,110 2011-2019 Explorer SUVs because the A-pillar trim retention clips were not properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach. A loose trim piece can fall off and become a road hazard, increasing crash risk; Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The exterior A-pillar trim on the 2011-2019 Ford Explorer is the molding that runs along the right and left edges of the windshield. Its job is to sit tight against the body and cover the pillar area while the retention clips hold it in place during normal driving.
On affected Explorers, some of those clips were not fully engaged during assembly or during a later repair. When the clips are not seated, the trim can sit loose, leave gaps, or detach from the vehicle instead of staying secured along the windshield edge.
You can spot the issue without special tools. Look for visible gaps around the A-pillar trim, listen for a rattle from that area, or notice wind noise that is louder than normal near the windshield.
Who's affected?
Spans 9 model years of Explorer SUVs, all tied to the right-side A-pillar trim and body structure.
| 2013 Ford Explorer | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2011 Ford Explorer | body structure |
| 2012 Ford Explorer | body structure |
| 2014 Ford Explorer | body structure |
| 2015 Ford Explorer | body structure |
| 2016 Ford Explorer | body structure |
| 2017 Ford Explorer | body structure |
| 2018 Ford Explorer | body structure |
| 2019 Ford Explorer | body structure |
| Units affected | 1,889,110 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A loose A-pillar trim piece can detach from the Explorer and become a road hazard, increasing crash risk for other drivers. Watch for visible gaps around the trim, rattling, or extra wind noise from the A-pillar area, and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2019 Ford Explorer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free A-pillar trim inspection and replacement that addresses trim pieces that can detach.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it. If not, reference recall number 24V031 and Ford recall 24S02 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and contact the dealer before driving if the A-pillar trim looks loose or detached.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the A-pillar trim and replaces it if the retention clips are not properly engaged. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Ford has a standard reimbursement plan for owner-paid remedies completed before the recall notice. If you already paid for an A-pillar trim repair tied to this issue, bring repair invoices, receipts, or payment records to the service desk and ask how Ford handles documented reimbursement claims for recall 24V031.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 19, 2024 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 22, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
| January 22, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 13, 2024 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 13, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 18, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 24V031?
Recall 24V031 covers 1,889,110 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles with A-pillar trim retention clips that were not properly engaged. The trim can detach from the vehicle, become a road hazard, and increase crash risk. Ford dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2019 Ford Explorer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Explorer is included in recall 24V031. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the A-pillar trim inspection and replacement as needed. Reference Ford recall number 24S02 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the Ford Explorer recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ford will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as needed free of charge at any franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk with this Ford Explorer recall?
The safety risk is road debris from detached trim. If the A-pillar trim falls off the Explorer while driving, it can become a road hazard for other vehicles and increase the risk of a crash. Ford's repair path is an inspection and replacement as needed.
When did Ford notify owners about recall 24V031?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on July 18, 2024. If you own a 2011-2019 Ford Explorer and never received a letter, check your VIN because used vehicles, address changes, and ownership changes can keep notices from reaching the current owner.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/24V031000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 24V031 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 24V031000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →