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Ford, Lincoln Crossovers Rear Drive Axle Seizure

NHTSA campaign 21V011000 · Reported Jan 15, 2021 · Ford Motor Company

high How serious is it? About this label

If the rear axle seizes, the vehicle can lose drive power or the driver can lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	21V011000
Reported to NHTSA	Jan 15, 2021
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Part affected	Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
Vehicles covered	6 model/year combinations, model years 2020–2021
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Certain Ford Edge, Escape and Bronco Sport, along with Lincoln Corsair and Nautilus vehicles, may have an inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit. Without enough lubricant, the rear drive axle can seize while the vehicle is being driven, affecting how the vehicle moves.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your vehicle is affected.
2. Contact a Ford dealer or call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 to schedule an inspection.
3. Dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant and refill or replace it as needed, free of charge.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 21V011000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (6)

2020 Ford Edge
2020 Ford Escape
2020 Lincoln Nautilus
2021 Ford Bronco Sport
2021 Ford Edge
2021 Lincoln Corsair

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 Powertrain Recalls Involving Fluid Leaks and Wheel Detachment · all 56 Ford recalls in this area
Lincoln transmission and axle recalls involving rollaway and lost power · all 12 Lincoln recalls in this area

Other Ford Escape recalls

Mar 3, 2026Ford, Lincoln Wiper Motor May Fail To Workmedium
Mar 3, 2026Ford and Lincoln Rearview Camera Image May Invertmedium
Jan 15, 2026Ford Escape and Focus Block Heater Fire Riskcritical
Dec 1, 2025Ford Escape liftgate hinge covers may come offlow
Oct 10, 2025Ford Escape Rear Brake Pads Made Incorrectlyhigh
Oct 10, 2025Ford and Lincoln Block Heater Fire Riskcritical

All 41 Escape recalls

Official notice

Component: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Edge, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles. An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.
Safety risk: If the rear drive unit seizes, there may be a loss of drive and/or a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level. Axles found to have lubricant at the minimum level will be filled to the full level. Axles found to be below the minimum lubricant fill level will be replaced, free of charge. This recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S02.

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