By Shawn Henry 
Ford is recalling more than 410,000 SUVs in the United States after federal safety regulators identified a rear suspension defect that could increase the risk of a crash.
The recall affects 412,774 model year 2017–2019 Ford Explorer vehicles, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The issue centers on the rear suspension’s toe link component, which may fracture under certain conditions.
What Is the Problem?
The rear toe link plays a critical role in maintaining proper wheel alignment. If the component fractures, it can lead to unintended changes in rear wheel angle, affecting handling and steering stability.
In practical terms, a broken toe link can cause the vehicle to feel unstable, pull unexpectedly, or respond unpredictably during turns. In more severe cases, it could result in reduced steering control.
NHTSA states that such a failure increases crash risk.
Ford estimates that roughly 1% of the recalled vehicles are likely to have the defect.
Known Incidents
As of February 20, Ford reported it was aware of two global accidents that may be connected to rear toe link fractures. The automaker said it is not aware of any injuries related to the issue at this time.
While the number of confirmed incidents remains small relative to the total vehicles involved, federal recall procedures require corrective action when a safety-related defect is identified.
How the Issue Was Identified
According to the NHTSA recall filing, fractures can occur in the rear toe link due to stress and corrosion over time. The defect may not present warning signs before failure, making proactive replacement necessary.
Ford has not indicated that all vehicles will experience the issue, but the recall covers the full production group potentially exposed to the defective component.
What Owners Should Do
Ford dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the affected rear suspension toe links at no cost to owners.
Owners of 2017–2019 Ford Explorers are advised to:
- Monitor for recall notices by mail
- Check their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) through NHTSA’s recall lookup tool
- Contact a Ford dealership to schedule an inspection once notified
Drivers experiencing unusual rear-end instability, vibration, or steering irregularities should have their vehicle inspected immediately.
A Broader Recall Context
This recall is part of a broader series of safety actions affecting multiple Ford vehicles. Regulators have recently flagged separate issues involving battery systems and brake pedal components in other Ford models, bringing total recall counts higher across multiple actions.
Rear suspension components are particularly critical in larger SUVs like the Explorer, which rely on stable rear alignment for predictable handling, especially during emergency maneuvers.
The Explorer’s Role in Ford’s Lineup
The Ford Explorer has been one of the brand’s best-selling SUVs for decades, frequently ranking among the top-selling three-row vehicles in the United States. The 2017–2019 generation remains common on American roads, making this recall significant in scale even if the failure rate is relatively low.
With more than 400,000 vehicles included, this action represents one of the larger single-model recalls announced so far this year.
The Bottom Line
While Ford estimates only a small percentage of vehicles are affected, suspension failures tied to steering stability are treated as high-priority safety issues.
Owners of affected Explorers should confirm their recall status and schedule inspections promptly once parts and service appointments are available.
For now, Ford maintains that no injuries have been linked to the defect, and the recall is intended to address the issue before additional incidents occur.
