Its Shop Time Mondays: Ford Explorers And Chevy Bolts Are Being Recalled

Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture

A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 644,055

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 23, 2021. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.

High Voltage Battery May Catch Fire

A battery fire increases the risk of injury.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V560000

Manufacturer General Motors, LLC

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected 50,413

Summary

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20V-701. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.

Remedy

Defective battery modules will be replaced by GM, free of charge. Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Activate either the Hill Top Reserve (2017 and 2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle after each use, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle overnight.

Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed September 6, 2021. A second letter will be mailed once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N212343880.