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Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator Have Loose Hitch Bolts
high How serious is it? About this label
Loose hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or let the trailer detach, increasing the risk of a crash while towing. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 25V687000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Oct 10, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Part affected | Trailer Hitches |
| Vehicles covered | 4 model/year combinations, model years 2024–2025 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
On some Explorer and Aviator SUVs, the bolts holding the trailer hitch in place may not be tight enough. If you are towing a trailer, loose hitch bolts can make the vehicle harder to control, and in some cases the trailer could come loose and detach from the vehicle. Either of these problems raises the chance of a crash while towing.
What you should do
2. Contact a Ford dealer (or call 1-866-436-7332) to have the hitch bolts inspected and tightened or replaced.
3. The repair is 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 25V687000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (4)
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
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Official notice
- Component
- TRAILER HITCHES
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
- Safety risk
- While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.