Ford Motor Company has issued a major recall affecting 412,774 model year 2017–2019 Ford Explorer SUVs due to a rear suspension toe link that can fracture without warning, potentially causing sudden loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. The recall was announced February 24, 2026, and is an expansion of a previous NHTSA investigation. Dealers will replace the faulty toe links at no charge to vehicle owners.
What’s Being Recalled?
The recall covers 2017, 2018, and 2019 model year Ford Explorer SUVs produced at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant between May 16, 2017, and March 3, 2019. The affected vehicles are equipped with cross-axis ball joint parts supplied by SAF. Ford’s recall number for this action is 26S08. All four engine configurations available during that production window—2.0-, 2.3-, 3.5-, and 3.7-liter—are included in the recall population. Ford estimates approximately 1% of vehicles within the recall group are actually affected by the defect.
Why Was This Product Recalled?
The faulty rear toe links use a cross-axis ball joint that can seize under certain loading conditions. When the ball joint seizes, it creates a bending force on the toe link, which can cause it to fracture. If the toe link breaks, drivers can experience sudden loss of directional control—a significant safety hazard at highway speeds. Warning signs may include clunking noises, unusual handling, or a visibly misaligned rear wheel. Ford has received 26 reports of rear toe link fractures within the affected vehicle group, along with two crashes. No injuries have been reported. The NHTSA first flagged the issue in January 2026 after receiving five owner complaints involving 2018 Explorers losing steering control.
What Should You Do?
Ford Explorer owners in the 2017–2019 model year range should check their vehicle immediately using the VIN lookup tool at the NHTSA website (nhtsa.gov). Owner notification letters will be mailed beginning March 9, 2026. Once notified, owners should take their vehicle to an authorized Ford dealer, where technicians will replace the rear toe link assemblies with stronger, improved versions free of charge. If you have questions before receiving your notice, call Ford’s customer service line at 866-436-7332 and reference recall number 26S08.
