Ford issues recall of more than 754K Explorer SUVs

The Ford Motor Company issued a recall Friday of more than 740,000 Ford Explorer vehicles due to a seized cross-axis ball joint, which could lead to a crash.

Specifically, Ford said, the problem could cause a fractured rear suspension toe link, which “significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.” Vehicles with the problem could see a misaligned rear wheel, a clunk noise or unusual handling.

In total, 774,696 vehicles between 2013 and 2017 have been affected, including 676,152 vehicles in North America, 59,935 in China, 13,162 in Europe and 190 in South America. 

The car manufacturer has six reports of injuries related to the issue in North America.

Ford said it will notify those who may be part of the recall in late August. 

“Dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint, replace the cross-axis ball joint/knuckle as necessary, and replace the toe links with a revised design part,” Ford said.

“In the U.S., the affected vehicles are located in high-corrosion states as defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or in regions with a combination of cold winter weather with relative high humidity and substantial road salt use,” the company said in a news release.

The recall is one of three that the company issued on Friday. 

Another recall targets some 2020-2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty vehicles for a rear axle housing spring seat interface weld issue that could cause driveline disconnection in the rear. Additionally, certain 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles that use 3.0-liter gas engines have been recalled because the company noted that battery cable wire harnesses may not have been secured properly.