Ford and its Lincoln luxury brand have recalled 259 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs from model year 2025 because they may be missing some critical connectors.
The company tells the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that “the transmission crossmember fasteners may not have been installed or torqued to specification during assembly.” That can leave the transmission improperly supported. It can slip out of position, causing “a loss of motive power or other vehicle system failures while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.”
Owners might notice “a clunking noise while driving over bumps, during vehicle launch events, during transmission gear engagements, and/or during gear shifts” if their car has the problem.
Engineers have isolated it to vehicles built on specific dates, when a machine installing the bolts malfunctioned.
Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the problem, which inspectors discovered at the factory.
Dealers will fix it by inspecting the bolts and tightening, adding, or replacing them.
Recall repairs are always free. Manufacturers attempt to contact every owner, but they don’t always get to reach them all. Find out if your car needs any recall repairs at our recall center.