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Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator Engine Rail Defect
high How serious is it? About this label
Reduced crash protection increases the risk of injury, and an engine rail detaching while driving increases the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V454000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Jun 24, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Part affected | Structure:frame And Members |
| Vehicles covered | 2 model/year combinations, model years 2022 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
Some Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles have engine rails, a structural part of the frame, that may not have been heat-treated correctly. Because of this, the vehicles may not comply with federal safety standards covering occupant crash protection and fuel system integrity. An engine rail could also detach from the vehicle and contact the road while it is being driven.
What you should do
2. Contact a Ford or Lincoln dealer, or call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
3. Dealers will test the engine rails and replace them if needed, free of charge; a vehicle replacement or buyback may also be offered.
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 22V454000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (2)
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
The bigger picture
- Ford Structure Recalls Cover Loose Trim, Roof Parts, and Joints · all 20 Ford recalls in this area
- Lincoln Structure Recalls Involving Loose Trim, Engine Rails and Subframes · all 4 Lincoln recalls in this area
Other Ford Explorer recalls
- Jul 21, 2026Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator Seats May Reclinemedium
- Jul 14, 2026Ford Explorer Roof Rail Covers May Detachhigh
- Jul 14, 2026Ford, Lincoln Second-Row Seats May Shift Unexpectedlyhigh
- Jun 24, 2026Ford, Lincoln SUVs: Transmission Park System May Failhigh
- Jun 9, 2026Ford Explorer Park System May Fail, Rollaway Riskhigh
- May 27, 2026Ford Explorer Engine May Fail Suddenlyhigh
Official notice
- Component
- STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles. The engine rails may have been improperly heat-treated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
- Safety risk
- Improperly heat-treated engine rails may reduce the vehicle's structural protection in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. In addition, an engine rail may detach and contact the road while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will perform an engine rail strength test and replace the rails as necessary, free of charge. If the engine rails require replacement, owners will have the option for a vehicle replacement or buyback. Owner notification letters were mailed August 22, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C13.
Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.