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Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator drive shaft can break

NHTSA campaign 20V693000 · Reported 2020-11-10 · Ford Motor Company

critical How serious is it? About this label

This is a severe one: it can cause a rollaway, a sudden loss of drive, or a fuel leak and fire, so have it inspected right away even though the notice does not order owners to park the vehicle.

What's wrong, in plain English

Certain 2020 Explorer and Aviator all-wheel-drive models can have a drive shaft that cracks apart at a weld. The drive shaft is the spinning bar that sends power to the rear wheels. If it breaks, the vehicle can roll away even when you have put it in Park, or it can suddenly stop driving. A broken shaft can also bend, come loose, and hit the fuel tank, which can cause a fuel leak or a fire. Dealers will check the drive shaft and replace it if needed.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your vehicle is affected. 2. Contact your Ford or Lincoln dealer, or Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 (recall 20S65), and ask for the inspection. 3. Have the drive shaft inspected and replaced if needed — no charge.

Affected vehicles (2)

2020 Ford Explorer
2020 Lincoln Aviator

Who to contact

Ford — official Ford recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Lincoln — official Lincoln recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Ford transmission, driveshaft and wheel recalls: which ones are urgent? · all 55 Ford recalls in this area
Lincoln transmission and axle recalls: rollaways and lost drive power · all 12 Lincoln recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 2.0L or 3.3L engine and a 10 Speed Automatic Transmission with the All Wheel Drive package. The drive shaft may fracture along the weld seam.
Safety risk: Defective drive shafts may fail and cause a loss of connection between the transfer case and rear axle, possibly resulting in a vehicle rollaway when in Park or a loss of drive. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash. The drive shafts can also deform and separate from the driveline and potentially contact the fuel tank, increasing the risk of fuel leaks and/or fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shaft label inspected and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S65.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.