A rear toe link is an adjustable suspension part that connects the rear wheel knuckle to the chassis and is used primarily to control the rear wheel’s angle, pointing inward or outward. The rear toe link adds stability to the vehicle and also prevents uneven tire wear. If the part becomes worn or damaged, it can affect the wheel alignment.
Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on March 9 and owners of potentially affected vehicles can contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08.
To date, the root cause of the problem has not fully been determined. Some drivers have reported a stuck or frozen cross axis ball joint that becomes immobile due to corrosion, usually caused by exposure to road salt in colder climates. This, in turn, can result in a fracture of the toe link. Warning signs can include a loud clunking noise, unusual handling or a misaligned rear wheel.
Ford became aware of the issue in January when the NHTSA contacted them about five Vehicle Owner questionnaires they received that complained about a loss of directional control while driving. Owners noted the problems were a result of a faulty rear toe link on 2018 Explorer models.
Later in the month, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group opened an investigation into the problem and identified 26 reports of rear toe link fractures. To date, the automaker is aware of two accidents globally related to this issue involving vehicles crashing into guardrails. Ford is not aware of any injuries related to these accidents.
In October 2025, Kelley Blue Book reported Ford recalled more than 200,000 Explorer and Aviator models due to problems with trailer tail lights failing to illuminate, caused by a malfunctioning body-control module. Tail lights that do not work properly can reduce visibility to other drivers and potentially cause accidents.
Letters were initially sent out in October, and additional letters will be sent again in April 2026. Dealers will replace the body-control module on vehicles with fewer than 9,000 miles. For vehicles over 9,000 miles, dealers will perform a functional check on the body-control module and replace it as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge.
In September 2025, Ford had one of its largest recalls of nearly 1.5 million 2015–19 Lincoln, Mustang, Expedition, Edge, Transit, Econoline, and Ranger vehicles with rear-view camera issues. In affected vehicles, the camera display became distorted, inverted or non-existent with just a blank image. Dealers will inspect and replace the rear-view camera as needed, free of charge.