Safety Recall 20S63 – Front Halfshaft Bracket Replacement – 2014-2015 Ford Taurus, 2014-2016 Explorer, & 2014 Edge

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 FordeBay logo Motor Company

Components POWER TRAIN

Potential Number of Units Affected 15,587

 

Summary

FordeBay logo Motor Company (FordeBay logo) 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

FordeBay logo 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 FordeBay logo customer service at 1-866-436-7332. FordeBay logo’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

VehicleModel YearAssembly PlantBuild Dates
Taurus2014-2015ChicagoNovember 1, 2013 through December 8, 2015
Explorer2014-2016ChicagoNovember 1, 2013 through December 23, 2015
Edge2014OakvilleNovember 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 NumberDescriptionOrder QuantityClaim Quantity
FB5Z-3K305-BFront Halfshaft Bracket11
W706931-S439Studs for Halfshaft Bracket (2 required, 4 in pkg)12
W701731-S439
Ford W701731S439 - Nut and Washer Assembly
  • Year: 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019, Manufacturer Warranty: 1 Year
  • Compatible with Parts Included: ONLY PART REFERENCE #7 ON THE DIAGRAM IS INCLUDED, Make: FordeBay logo LincolneBay logo MercuryeBay logo
  • Compatible with Product Name: Genuine FordeBay logo Mount Bracket Nut -W701731-S439, Sku: -W701731-S439
  • Compatible with Manufacturer Part Number: -W701731-S439, Genuine Oem: Yes
  • Compatible with Fitment Type: Direct Replacement, FordeBay logo

Last update on 2026-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


 

Nuts (2 required, 4 in pkg)12
W500635-S439eBay logoMounting Bolts (3 required, 1 in pkg)33

 

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 FordeBay logo, 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, 2020FordeBay logo Motor Company is issuing two safety recalls in North America.

 

Safety recall for select 2014-16 FordeBay logo Taurus, FordeBay logo Explorer and 2014 FordeBay logo 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.

FordeBay logo 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 FordeBay logo Taurus and FordeBay logo Explorer vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant from Nov. 1, 2013, to Dec. 23, 2015
  • 2014 FordeBay logo Edge vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant from Nov. 1 to Dec. 23, 2014

Dealers will replace the link shaft bracket. The FordeBay logo reference number for this recall is 20S63.

 

Safety recall for select 2020 FordeBay logo Explorer and LincolneBay logo 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.

FordeBay logo 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 FordeBay logo reference number for this recall is 20S65.

 


 


6 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKEMODELYEAR
FORDEDGE2014
FORDEXPLORER2014-2016
FORDTAURUS2014-2015

 


12 Associated Documents

ISSUED Renotification Notice

RCRN-20V692-3643.pdf 505.033KB

 


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

 


Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-2

RCLQRT-20V692-1038.PDF 211.232KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-20V692-5138.pdf 54.072KB

 


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

 


Interim Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RIONL-20V692-2931.pdf 44.852KB

 


Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20V692-8059.PDF 217.026KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-1

RCLQRT-20V692-5580.PDF 211.132KB

 


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

 


Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V692-2515.pdf 244.355KB

 


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

 


Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-3

RCLQRT-20V692-4811.PDF 211.323KB

 


Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V692&docType=RCL

 


 

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