Safety Recall 21S11 – Rear Lower Control Arm Bolt and Nut Replacement – 2020 Lincoln Aviator & Ford Explorer

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March 10, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V154000

Rear Lower Control Arm Bolts May Break

Broken RLCA bolts can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V154

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 49

 

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles. The rear lower control arm (RLCA) bolts that attach the rear lower control arms to the wheel knuckles may not have been heat-treated, which could cause them to break.

 

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace both RLCA bolts, free of charge. The recall began on April 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 21S11.

 

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 2020 Chicago February 3, 2020 through February 13, 2020
Explorer 2020 Chicago January 21, 2020 through March 6, 2020

 

Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS and FSA VIN Lists.

 

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL

In some of the affected vehicles, the bolts that attach the rear lower control arms (RLCA) to the wheel knuckles may have missed the heat treatment process during manufacturing. A RLCA attachment bolt with missing heat treatment may fracture while driving. Fracture of a RLCA attachment bolt 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 replace both rear lower control arm to wheel knuckle bolts and nuts. 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 March 29, 2021. Dealers should repair any affected vehicles that arrive at their dealerships, whether or not the customer has received a letter.

 

SOLD VEHICLES

  • Ford has not issued instructions to stop selling/delivering or driving used vehicles under this safety recall. Owners should contact their dealer for an appointment to have their vehicles remedied as soon as practicable. Owners can continue to safely drive their vehicles.
  • Immediately contact any of your affected customers whose vehicles are not on your VIN list but are identified in OASIS. Give the customer a copy of the Owner Notification Letter (when available) and schedule a service date.
  • Correct other affected vehicles identified in OASIS which are brought to your dealership.
  • Dealers are to prioritize repairs of customer vehicles over repairs of new and used vehicle inventory.

 

STOCK VEHICLES

  • Correct all affected units in your new vehicle inventory before delivery.
  • Use OASIS to identify any affected vehicles in your used vehicle inventory.

 

DEALER-OPERATED RENTAL VEHICLES

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act law effective June 2016 prohibits a rental company from selling, renting or leasing vehicles subject to a safety or compliance recall. Please consult your legal counsel for legal advice.

 

TITLE BRANDED / SALVAGED VEHICLES

Affected title branded and salvaged vehicles are eligible for this recall. 

 

OWNER REFUNDS

Refunds are not approved for this program.

 

RENTAL VEHICLES

Rental vehicles are not approved for this program.

 

LINCOLN PICKUP AND DELIVERY

Owners of 2017 MY and newer Lincoln vehicles have the option of requesting pickup and delivery service with a Lincoln loaner (up to 2 days), from their dealership. For details, reference EFC07715, 2020 Lincoln Pickup & Delivery Updates.

 

 

PARTS REQUIREMENTS / ORDERING INFORMATION

Part Number  Description Order Quantity Claim Quantity
W720438-S439 Bolt (4 in package, 2 required) 1 2
W714297-S440 Nut (2 in package, 2 required) 1 2

 

Order your parts through normal order processing channels. To guarantee the shortest delivery time, an emergency order for parts must be placed.

 


CERTAIN 2020 MODEL YEAR AVIATOR AND EXPLORER VEHICLES — REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT AND NUT REPLACEMENT

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE

 

NOTE: This recall is to be performed on both the right rear and the left rear suspension.

 

1. Measure the distance from the center of the wheel hub to the lip of the fender with the vehicle in a level,  static ground position (ride height) before disassembly. See Figure 1a.

 

2. Remove both rear wheel and tire. Please follow the WSM procedures in Section 204-04A.

 

3. Using a jack stand, support the rear suspension to ride height. See Figure 2.

 

NOTICE: Make sure that the insulator pads are correctly positioned to prevent direct contact with other components.

 

NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts that affect the performance of vital components and systems. Failure of these fasteners may result in major service expense. Use the same or equivalent parts if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Tighten fasteners as specified.

 

4. Remove and discard the lower arm-to-wheel knuckle bolt and nut. See Figure 2.

 

5. Install the new lower arm-to-wheel knuckle bolt and nut. Only hand tighten the nut at this time. See Figure 3.

 

6. Adjust the jack stand to achieve the ride height measured in Step 1. See Figure 1b.

  • Tighten the new lower arm-to-wheel knuckle bolt and nut to: 258 lb.ft (350 Nm).

 

NOTICE: Tighten the suspension bushing fasteners with the suspension loaded or with the weight of the vehicle resting on the wheels and tires, otherwise incorrect clamp load and bushing damage may occur.

 

7. Lower and remove the axle stand.

 

8. Repeat Steps 1-7 on the opposite side of the vehicle. Then proceed to Step 9.

 

9. Install both rear wheel and tire. 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.

 


 


2 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE MODEL YEAR
FORD EXPLORER 2020
LINCOLN AVIATOR 2020

 


8 Associated Documents

Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-21V154-3738.PDF 214.84KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-2

RCLQRT-21V154-2648.PDF 211.126KB

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-21V154-0076.pdf 51.211KB

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-21V154-4985.pdf 645.198KB

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Message re NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Safety Recall 21S11 Certain 2020 Model Year Aviator and Explorer Vehicles Rear Lower Control Arm Bolt and Nut Replacement

RCMN-21V154-9787.pdf 640.786KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-3

RCLQRT-21V154-3168.PDF 211.225KB

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ISSUED Renotification Notice

RCRN-21V154-4080.pdf 545.272KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-4

RCLQRT-21V154-4775.PDF 211.312KB

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Latest Recalls Documents

For the Latest and Most Recent Recalls Information Visit the link below…

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=21V154&docType=RCL

 


 

Bestseller No. 1
Front Lower Control Arm for Ford Explorer 2011-2019 Police Interceptor Utility 2013-2019 - w/Ball Joint Driver & Passenger Side Suspension Kit K622216 K622215
  • Compatible with: for Ford Explorer 2011-2019, for Police Interceptor Utility 2013-2019 2.0L 2.3L 3.5L 3.7L V6 AWD FWD
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Bestseller No. 2
TRW Automotive JBU1320 Suspension Stabilizer Bar Bushing Kit for Ford Explorer: 2006-2016 and other applications
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Dorman 523-262 Front Passenger Side Lower Rearward Suspension Control Arm Bushing Compatible with Select Ford Models
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SaleBestseller No. 4
Front Lower Control Arm with ball Joint Assembly K622215 K622216 Left Right Passenger Driver Side Suspension Kit Replacement for 2011-2019 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility
  • 【Fitment】 The Front Lower Control Arms kit fit for 2011-2019 Ford Explorer, 2013-2019 Ford Police Interceptor Utility
  • 【Kit Includes】 The front lower control arm with ball joint assembly Suspension Kit includes:2x Front Lower Control Arm with ball joint- Passenger and Driver Side
  • 【Ensure safe driving】 Each control arm and ball joint is designed for specific application,Rigorously undergo impact, anti-corrosion, wear and fatigue testing by team of skilled engineers. Including the application of specific heat treatment hardware,to guarantee perfect performance, Ensure vehicle driving safety
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10pc Control Arm Tie Rod End Links Suspension Kit compatible with 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 2013-2015 Ford Police Interceptor Utility
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Suspension Dudes PAIR Front Sway Bar Stabilizer Links Mountaineer Pickup Explorer Ranger Ram, Bushings Made In USA K700542 K7275 (4 PC Link/Bushing Kit 1998-2010/29-30 MM Bar)
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Dorman 527-367 Rear Upper Forward Alignment Adjustable Lateral Link Compatible with Select Ford Models (OE FIX)
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Monroe Reflex 911330 Suspension Shock Absorber for Ford Explorer
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Bestseller No. 9
ACROPIX Rear Suspension Sway Bar Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Bushing Fit for Ford Explorer 2011-2019 No.BB5Z-5A772-A, 8A8Z-5A772-B - Pack of 2
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  • OE Number:BB5Z-5A772-A, 8A8Z-5A772-B
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cciyu Steering Front Sway Bar End Links Stabilizer Bar fit for 1995-2010 for Ford Explorer 1998-2011 for Ford Ranger 1997-2010 for Mercury Mountaineer 94-01 for Dodge Ram 2pcs Suspension Kit
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Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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