Ford Motor Co. has issued three separate recalls of its Explorer midsize SUV, F-150 pickup, and E-Series van, including 1.2 million Explorers for a rear suspension issue.

Ford Explorer

The automaker is recalling an estimated 1.2 million 2011 to 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles for a rear suspension toe link fracture issue. Specifically, vehicles that are exposed to frequent full rear suspension articulation (jounce and rebound) may experience a fractured rear suspension toe link.

A fracture of a rear toe link significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the likelihood of a collision.

According to Ford, one customer reported hitting a curb when the toe link broke. However, Ford is not aware of any reports of injury related to this condition.

To fix the problem, dealers will remove and replace left and right-hand rear suspension toe links with a new forged toe link and align the rear suspension.

Affected vehicles were built at Chicago Assembly Plant, May 17, 2010 to Jan. 25, 2017. Ford’s reference number for this recall is 19S17.

Ford F-150

Ford is also recalling approximately 123,000 2013 Ford F-150 vehicles equipped with 5.0-liter and 6.2-liter gasoline engines that had the powertrain control module software reprogrammed as part of recall 19S07 for a transmission calibration problem.

Specifically, the powertrain control module software used to service these vehicles in accordance with recall 19S07 was incomplete. It did not have the updates necessary to prevent a potential unintended downshift into first gear or the updates necessary to ensure illumination of the malfunction indicator light in the event of an intermittent transmission output speed sensor signal. 

With this scenario, vehicles are still at risk for unintended transmission downshift due to intermittent output speed sensor failure. Depending on vehicle speed, an abrupt transmission downshift to first gear without warning could result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this issue.

To remedy the matter, dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with the appropriate software calibration.

Ford has made it clear that vehicles that have not had 19S07 performed are not affected by this action and will receive updated software under the existing 19S07 program.

Affected vehicles were built at Dearborn Assembly Plant, May 7, 2012 to Oct. 27, 2013, and Kansas City Assembly Plant, April 18, 2012 to Nov. 18, 2013.

Ford’s reference number for this recall is 19S19.

Ford Econoline

Ford is recalling an estimated 4,300 2009 to 2016 Ford E-Series vans equipped with a 5R110W transmission, 5.4-liter engine, and a school bus or ambulance prep package for a loss of motive power issue.

Specifically, affected vehicles contain a capacitive discharge weld within a coast clutch component in the transmission. A substandard weld may fatigue and fail, causing an elevated rate of reports of the loss of the ability to move in the subject vehicle applications. All normal engine, braking and steering functionality is unaffected. Reports indicate that the majority of weld failures occur when torque is highest, which is when the driver attempts to accelerate from a stop.

An elevated rate of loss of mobility in school bus and ambulance vehicles could present unique risks such as the transfer of unchaperoned children when the vehicle is immobilized in a roadway. Loss of vehicle mobility in an ambulance may result in delay of patient treatment.

Ford is unaware of any accidents resulting from this condition.

To fix the problem, dealers will replace the coast clutch cylinder and the single-engaging coast one-way clutch with a dual-engaging one-way clutch.

Affected vehicles were built at Ohio Assembly Plant, May 11, 2009 to Dec. 10, 2015. Ford’s reference number for this recall is 19S20.