Safety Recall 20S69 – Front Wheel Knuckle Inspection – 2021 Lincoln Aviator

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November 20, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V726000

Front Knuckles May Fracture

The improperly manufactured knuckle may fracture, reducing steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V726

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components STEERING

Potential Number of Units Affected 690

 

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The steering knuckles may have been manufactured improperly.

 

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front knuckle, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 16, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S69.

 

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
Aviator 2021 Chicago November 3, 2020 through November 13, 2020

 

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL

In some of the affected vehicles, an unacceptable void may have been created in the front wheel knuckle during the casting process. A knuckle with an unacceptable void may fracture while driving. Fracture of a front knuckle diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

SERVICE ACTION

Before demonstrating or delivering any new in-stock vehicles involved in this recall, dealers are to inspect the manufacturing date code on both front wheel knuckles and replace the knuckle(s) that do not pass. This service must be performed on all affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.

 

OWNER NOTIFICATION AND MAILING SCHEDULE

Owner letters were mailed the week of December 7, 2020. Dealers should repair any affected vehicles that arrive at their dealerships, whether or not the customer has received a letter.

 

PARTS

Part Number Description Order Quantity Claim Quantity
-W720050-S440 Tie Rod End Nut – 2 per side As Required
-W520216-S440 Lower Arm to Knuckle Nut – 1 per side As Required
-W714660-S439 Wheel Caliper to Knuckle Bolts – 2 per side As Required
-W719969-S900 Front Wheel Bearing Bolts – 4 per side As Required
-W720123-S440 Upper Ball Joint Nut – 1 per side As Required
LC5Z-3K186-A Left Wheel Knuckle As Required
LC5Z-3K185-A Right Wheel Knuckle As Required
LB5Z-3B477-A Wheel Hub Nut AWD ONLY – 1 per side As Required

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Turn the steering wheel to the full left position. Inspect and record the left hand wheel knuckle manufacturing date code. See Figure 1.

2. Turn the steering wheel to the full right position. Inspect and record the right hand wheel knuckle manufacturing date code.

3. Is the date code for the LH side knuckle 298?

Yes – Does not pass inspection, replace the wheel knuckle. Proceed to steps 4 and 5.

No – Passes inspection, replacement not required. Proceed to step 4.

 

4. Is the date code for the RH side knuckle 296 OR 297?

Yes – Does not pass inspection, replace the wheel knuckle. Proceed to step 5.

No – Passes inspection, replacement not required. This recall is complete.

 

5. Does the new replacement knuckle(s) have the suspect date code?

Yes – Does not pass inspection. Proceed to step 6.

No – Passes inspection, replace the wheel knuckle. Proceed to step 7.

 

6. Does the new replacement knuckle(s) have a white dot on it? See Figure 2.

Yes – Passes inspection, replace the wheel knuckle. Proceed to step 7.

No – Does not pass inspection. Contact SSSC for a new replacement knuckle.

 

7. Remove the front wheel bearing and wheel hub. Please follow the Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures in Section 204-01A for RWD vehicles and Section 204-01B for AWD vehicles.

8. Separate the outer tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle. See Figure 3.

1. Remove and discard the tie rod end nut.

Torque: 52 lb.ft (70 Nm)

2. Separate the tie rod end from the wheel knuckle.

Use the General Equipment: Tie Rod End Remover

 

NOTE: Do not use a hammer to separate the outer tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle may result.

 

NOTE: Use care when installing the tie rod separator or damage to the outer tie-rod end boot may occur.

 

9. Remove the brake hose bracket bolt and position aside the brake hose. See Figure 4.

Torque: 133 lb.in (15 Nm)

 

10. Remove and discard the front lower arm outboard nut. See Figure 5.

Torque: 76 lb.ft (103 Nm)

 

NOTE: Do not use power tools to remove or install the lower arm outboard nut. Damage to the ball joint or ball joint seal may occur.

 

NOTE: Use the TORX PLUS® holding feature to prevent the ball stud from turning while removing or installing the lower arm outboard nut. Torx® and TORX PLUS® is a reg. tm of Acument Intellectual Properties, LLC.

12. Remove and discard the rear lower arm outboard nut. See Figure 7.

Torque: 210 lb.ft (285 Nm)

 

NOTE: Do not use power tools to remove or install the lower arm outboard nut. Damage to the ball joint or ball joint seal may occur.

 

NOTE: Use the TORX PLUS® holding feature to prevent the ball stud from turning while removing or installing the lower arm outboard nut. Torx® and TORX PLUS® is a reg. tm of Acument Intellectual Properties, LLC.

 

11. Separate the front lower arm from the wheel Knuckle. See Figure 6.

Use Special Service Tool: 204-592 Separator, Lower Arm Ball Joint.

 

NOTE: Do not use a hammer, prying device, or separator fork to separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle. Damage to the ball joint or ball joint seal may occur.

 

NOTE: Use care when releasing the lower arm and wheel knuckle into the resting position. Damage to the ball joint or ball joint seal may occur.

 

13. Separate the rear lower arm from the wheel Knuckle. See Figure 8.

Use Special Service Tool: 204-592 Separator, Lower Arm Ball Joint.

 

NOTE: Do not use a hammer, prying device, or separator fork to separate the lower arm from the ball joint. Damage to the ball joint or ball joint seal may occur.

 

NOTE: Use care when releasing the lower arm and wheel knuckle into the resting position. Damage to the ball joint or ball joint seal may occur.

14. Remove and discard the upper ball joint nut. See Figure 9.

Torque: 41 lb.ft (55 Nm)

 

NOTE: Do not use power tools to remove or install the lower arm outboard nut. Damage to the ball joint or
ball joint seal may occur.

 

NOTE: Use the TORX PLUS® holding feature to prevent the ball stud from turning while removing or installing the lower arm outboard nut. Torx® and TORX PLUS® is a reg. tm of Acument Intellectual Properties, LLC.

15. Separate the front upper arm from the wheel Knuckle. See Figure 10.

Use Special Service Tool: 204-592 Separator, Lower Arm Ball Joint.

 

NOTE: Do not use a hammer, prying device, or separator fork to separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle. Damage to the ball joint or ball joint seal may occur.

 

NOTE: Use care when releasing the lower arm and wheel knuckle into the resting position. Damage to the ball joint or ball joint seal may occur.

 

16. Remove the wheel Knuckle. See Figure 11.

17. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

 


 


1 Affected Product

Vehicle

MAKE MODEL YEAR
LINCOLN AVIATOR 2021

 


10 Associated Documents

Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-20V726-9297.pdf 346.513KB

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Notification re NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD Safety Recall 20S69 Certain 2021 Model Year Aviator Vehicles Front Wheel Knuckle Inspection

RCMN-20V726-8396.pdf 2476.409KB

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Notification re NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD Safety Recall 20S69 – Supplement #1 Certain 2021 Model Year Aviator Vehicles Front Wheel Knuckle Inspection

RCMN-20V726-7588.pdf 2688.2KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-2

RCLQRT-20V726-2004.PDF 211.309KB

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20V726-2998.PDF 214.295KB

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Notification re NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Advance Notice – Safety Recall 20S69 Certain 2021 Model Year Aviator Vehicles Front Wheel Knuckle Inspection

RCMN-20V726-5863.pdf 144.625KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-1

RCLQRT-20V726-6985.PDF 211.218KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-4

RCLQRT-20V726-2929.PDF 211.121KB

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V726-5938.pdf 244.147KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2021-3

RCLQRT-20V726-2394.PDF 211.414KB

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V726&docType=RCL

 


 

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