November 10, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V692000
Link Shaft Brackets May Fracture
The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V692
Manufacturer Ford Motor Company
Components POWER TRAIN
Potential Number of Units Affected 15,587
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020. A second letter will be mailed when parts become available in January 2021. The recall began February 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S63.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Check if your Vehicle has a Recall
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Vehicle | Model Year | Assembly Plant | Build Dates |
Taurus | 2014-2015 | Chicago | November 1, 2013 through December 8, 2015 |
Explorer | 2014-2016 | Chicago | November 1, 2013 through December 23, 2015 |
Edge | 2014 | Oakville | November 1, 2014 through December 23, 2014 |
REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL
In some of the affected vehicles, the vehicle may experience a failure of the Front Halfshaft Bracket. A damaged Halfshaft Bracket can cause a vibration, grinding, banging noise from the driveline while moving. The bracket may fail without warning and could result in a loss of movement while driving. In some instances, there may be a loss of park function that could result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of accident. In addition, a failed bracket can allow separation of the halfshaft from the engine resulting in secondary damage to surrounding components.
SERVICE ACTION
Dealers are to inspect Front Halfshaft Bracket and if necessary, replace per technical instructions. This service must be performed on all affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.
OWNER NOTIFICATION AND MAILING SCHEDULE
Owner letters are expected to be mailed the week of February 1, 2021. Dealers should repair any affected vehicles that arrive at their dealerships, whether or not the customer has received a letter.
PARTS REQUIREMENTS / ORDERING INFORMATION
Part Number | Description | Order Quantity | Claim Quantity |
FB5Z-3K305-B | Front Halfshaft Bracket | 1 | 1 |
W706931-S439 | Studs for Halfshaft Bracket (2 required, 4 in pkg) | 1 | 2 |
W701731-S439 ![]() |
Nuts (2 required, 4 in pkg) | 1 | 2 |
W500635-S439 | Mounting Bolts (3 required, 1 in pkg) | 3 | 3 |
CERTAIN FRONT WHEEL DRIVE 2014-2015 MODEL YEAR TAURUS, 2014-2016 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER, AND 2014 MODEL YEAR EDGE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L OR 2.3L ENGINE — FRONT HALF SHAFT BRACKET REPLACEMENT
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. If equipped, remove the underbody shield. Please follow the Workshop Manual (WSM) Procedures in Section 205-04.
2. Inspect the Right Hand (RH) side half shaft bracket. Is the new style bracket already installed?
The new bracket will have three mounting bolts, the old style bracket will have two. See Figure 1.
Yes – Passes Inspection, The inspection is complete, install the underbody shield, if removed.
No – Does Not Pass Inspection, Proceed to Step 3.
3. If equipped, remove the two (2) side shield screws and remove the shield located in the passenger fender splash shield area.
4. Remove the front RH wheel and tire assembly. Please follow the WSM Procedures in Section 204-04A.
5. If equipped, remove the two (2) heated oxygen sensor wiring retainers on the half shaft bearing nuts.
6. Remove and discard the two (2) half shaft retaining nuts.
7. Remove and discard the two (2) RH half shaft bearing bracket bolts and remove the bracket.
NOTE: To see the old and new half shaft bracket. See Figure 1.
8. Install two (2) new half shaft bearing studs into the new bracket.
- Torque: 15 Nm (11 lb-ft).
9. Install the new RH half shaft bearing bracket and three (3) bolts.
- Torque: 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
10. Install the two (2) new half shaft retaining nuts. Please follow the WSM Procedures in Section 205-04.
- Torque: 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
11. If equipped, reverse the removal procedure to install the underbody shields.
12. Install the RH wheel and tire assembly. Please follow the WSM Procedures in Section 204-04A.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Federal law prohibits selling motor vehicle parts or components that are under
safety, compliance, or emissions recall. Unless a part is requested to be returned to Ford, all parts replaced under this FSA must be scrapped in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal environmental protection and hazardous material regulations. Refer to the Parts Retention, Return, & Scrapping section of the FSA dealer bulletin for further information.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY ISSUES TWO SAFETY RECALLS IN NORTH AMERICA
NOV 13, 2020 | DEARBORN, MICH.
DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 13, 2020 – Ford Motor Company is issuing two safety recalls in North America.
Safety recall for select 2014-16 Ford Taurus, Ford Explorer and 2014 Ford Edge vehicles
In affected vehicles, the link shaft bracket may fracture after long-term use as a result of certain vehicle vibrations. This could cause a loss of motive power while driving or a loss of park function resulting in unintended vehicle movement.
Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.
This action affects approximately 15,587 vehicles in the U.S. and federal territories, and 367 in Canada.
Affected vehicles include:
- 2014-16 Ford Taurus and Ford Explorer vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant from Nov. 1, 2013, to Dec. 23, 2015
- 2014 Ford Edge vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant from Nov. 1 to Dec. 23, 2014
Dealers will replace the link shaft bracket. The Ford reference number for this recall is 20S63.
Safety recall for select 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles
Eighteen of the affected vehicles were produced with a driveshaft that may fracture along the weld seam. Defective driveshafts could lose the mechanical connection between the transfer case and rear axle, which may result in unintended vehicle movement and/or loss of motive power. Defective driveshafts may also deform and separate from the driveline and potentially contact the fuel tank, increasing the risk of fuel leaks and/or fire.
Ford is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires related to this condition.
This action affects approximately 10,905 vehicles in the U.S. and federal territories, 1,291 in Canada and 102 in Mexico. Affected vehicles were built at Chicago Assembly Plant Aug. 24 to Sept. 30, 2019.
Dealers will inspect the driveshaft label and replace the driveshaft as needed. The Ford reference number for this recall is 20S65.
6 Affected Products
Vehicles
MAKE | MODEL | YEAR |
FORD | EDGE | 2014 |
FORD | EXPLORER | 2014-2016 |
FORD | TAURUS | 2014-2015 |
12 Associated Documents
ISSUED Renotification Notice
RCRN-20V692-3643.pdf 505.033KB
RCRN-20V692-3643
Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Notification re Safety Recall 20S63 Certain Front Wheel Drive 2014-2015 Model Year Taurus, 2014-2016 Model Year Explorer, and 2014 Model Year Edge Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L or 2.3L EngineFront Half shaft Bracket Replacement
RCMN-20V692-4043.pdf 386.296KB
RCMN-20V692-4043
Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-2
RCLQRT-20V692-1038.PDF 211.232KB
ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)
RCONL-20V692-5138.pdf 54.072KB
RCONL-20V692-5138
Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Notification re Safety Recall 20S63 – Supplement #1 Certain Front Wheel Drive 2014-2015 Model Year Taurus, 2014-2016 Model Year Explorer, and 2014 Model Year Edge Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L or 2.3L Engine Front Halfshaft Bracket Replacement
RCMN-20V692-0898.pdf 448.806KB
RCMN-20V692-0898
Interim Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)
RIONL-20V692-2931.pdf 44.852KB
RIONL-20V692-2931
Defect Notice 573 Report
RCLRPT-20V692-8059.PDF 217.026KB
RCLRPT-20V692-8059
Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-1
RCLQRT-20V692-5580.PDF 211.132KB
RCLQRT-20V692-5580
Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Notification re NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Advance Notice – Safety Recall 20S63 Certain 2014-2015 Model Year Taurus, 2014-2016 Model Year Explorer, and 2014 Model Year Edge Equipped with a 2.0L or 2.3L Engine Front Halfshaft Bracket Replacement
RCMN-20V692-4906.pdf 134.459KB
RCMN-20V692-4906
Recall Acknowledgement
RCAK-20V692-2515.pdf 244.355KB
RCAK-20V692-2515
Miscellaneous Document – Media Release re Safety recall for select 2014-16 Ford Taurus, Ford Explorer and 2014 Ford Edge vehicles
RMISC-20V692-6413.pdf 209.273KB
RMISC-20V692-6413
Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-3
RCLQRT-20V692-4811.PDF 211.323KB
RCLQRT-20V692-4811
Latest Recalls Documents
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V692&docType=RCL
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