RECALLS — FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR UTILITY (EXPLORER)
Ford Police Interceptor Utility (explorer) recalls
Ford Police Interceptor Utility (explorer) model years 2013–2026 covered by at least one recall campaign. Pick a year to see the Canadian and U.S. campaigns side by side.
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U.S. NHTSA campaigns are listed on each year page, where they are queried live by model year. The Canadian list below covers every year together.
Transport Canada recalls
26- Structure#2026341
14,442 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the repairs completed by a Ford dealer during customer satisfaction program 20N11 may not be effective. As a result, a second repair is required. On certain vehicles, the roof rail covers could become loose and detach while driving. Note: This recall is an expansion of Transport Canada recall no. 2021-267. Vehicles repaired under that recall don't require this repair. Safety Risk: A roof rail cover that detaches while driving could create a hazard for other road users and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, secure the roof rail covers.
- Other#2026318
5,672 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the software update installed by a Ford dealer during recall 25SA2 (Transport Canada recall no. 2025-547) may not be effective. As a result, a second repair is required. On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the pedestrian alert system not to work properly. Note: This recall only affects hybrid electric vehicles. This recall replaces Transport Canada recall no. 2025-547. Vehicles that were repaired under that recall also require this repair. Safety Risk: A pedestrian alert system that doesn't work properly could create confusion and increase the risk of injury for other road users. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and send a wireless over-the-air software update to eligible vehicles to update the accessory protocol image module (APIM) software. Alternatively, you may schedule an appointment to have the update performed at a Ford dealership. For certain Nautilus vehicles, owners will be advised to take their vehicle to a dealership to replace the digital signal processor (DSP) module.
- Seats And Restraints#2026124
44 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the second-row outboard seat belt anchor bolt(s) may be loose or missing. As a result, the seat belt(s) could detach in a crash. Safety Risk: A seat belt that detaches could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, install, tighten or replace seat belt anchor bolt(s).
- Suspension#2026080
20,416 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the outer ball joint for the rear suspension toe link(s) may seize. If this happens, the toe link(s) could break while driving. This could cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability. Safety Risk: A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the rear suspension toe links.
- Visual System#2025583
3,044 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the windshield glass may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, air bubbles could appear in the windshield glass. Safety Risk: Air bubbles in the windshield glass could cause reduced visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the windshield glass.
- Structure#2025548
102 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the trailer hitch bolts may not have been tightened properly. As a result, the bolts could loosen and the hitch could detach from the vehicle. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with the trailer tow package. Safety Risk: A trailer hitch and/or towed trailer that detaches from a vehicle could create a road hazard for others and/or create the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, tighten or replace the trailer hitch bolts.
- Other#2025547
4,365 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the pedestrian alert system not to work properly. Note: This recall only affects hybrid electric vehicles. Safety Risk: A pedestrian alert system that doesn't work properly could create confusion and increase the risk of injury for other road users. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and send a wireless over-the-air software update to eligible vehicles to update the digital signal processor and audio control module software. Alternatively, you may schedule an appointment to have the update performed at a Ford dealership.
- Lights And Instruments#2025433
18,266 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the body control module (BCM) may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the trailer taillights may not work when towing a trailer. Note: This problem could cause a trailer error message to display in the instrument cluster and various electrical systems not to work properly. Safety Risk: Trailer taillights that don't work could make the vehicle less visible to others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the BCM.
- Fuel System#2025366
107,534 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the low-pressure fuel pump could fail. If this happens, the engine may run rough or may not start and the check engine light may turn on. This could also result in a sudden loss of engine power while driving. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the powertrain control module software. For Super Duty models, the dealer will replace the fuel pump.
- Structure#2025282
23,060 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the exterior B-pillar trims on the driver and front passenger doors may not be properly attached. As a result, the trim(s) could loosen and separate from the vehicle. Safety Risk: Trim that detaches from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, secure the B-pillar trims.
- Seats And Restraints#2025084
12,659 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the bolts securing the seat belt buckles may not have been properly tightened. Additionally, the second-row center seat belt anchor bolt and/or retractor bolt may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the seat belts could loosen or detach in a crash. Safety Risk: A seat belt that detaches in a crash could create an increased risk of injury. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the seat belt buckle bolts and the second-row center seat belt and retractor bolts. If any bolts are loose, the dealer will replace the affected part(s).
- Electrical#2024526
87 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the 12 V battery cable could become damaged by contact with the starter generator. If this happens, the cable could short circuit. Note: This recall only affects certain police vehicles equipped with a 3.3 L hybrid engine. This problem could cause a check engine light to turn on and could make the engine hard to start or prevent it from starting. Safety Risk: A short circuit could increase the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a Ford dealer to secure the 12 V battery cable.
- Engine#2024462
4,888 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the connecting rod bearings may wear and cause the engine to fail. Note: This recall only affects certain police vehicles equipped with a 3.3L gas or hybrid engine. Safety Risk: An engine failure could cause a sudden loss of power to the wheels and/or increase the risk of a vehicle fire. Both issues could increase the risk of a crash or injury. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail. The corrective actions for this recall are under development. To reduce the safety risk, Ford recommends that you should shut off the engine as soon as possible if you hear unusual engine noises, see smoke from the engine compartment or notice reduced engine power.
- Powertrain#2023543
9,343 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the recall repairs completed by a Ford dealer during recall 22S27 (Transport Canada recall number 2022-198) may not address all safety risks. As a result, a second repair is required. On certain vehicles, a mounting bolt for the rear axle housing could break. If this happens, the axle housing could move and cause clunking or banging noises and vibrations from the rear of the vehicle. It could also cause the driveshaft and axle shafts to disconnect. This could result in a loss of power to the rear wheels. Also, if the previous recall was not completed, the vehicle could move when the transmission is in Park, if the parking brake is not used. Safety Risk: A parked vehicle that moves suddenly could create the risk of an injury or a crash. A loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the subframe bushing and rear axle bolt. The dealer will also inspect the rear axle cover, and replace it as necessary.
- Visual System#2023259
13 units affected
Issue: On a small number of vehicles, the integrated computer screen (ICS) may not automatically turn on when the transmission is shifted to reverse. As a result, the rearview camera image may not appear when backing up. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the vehicle is reversing. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with a 12.1" integrated computer screen (ICS). Safety Risks: A rearview camera image that doesn't display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the integrated computer screen software.
- Powertrain#2022198
10,607 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, a mounting bolt for the rear axle housing could break. If this happens, the axle housing can move and cause clunking or banging noises and vibrations from the rear of the vehicle. It could also cause the driveshaft and axle shafts to disconnect. This would result in a loss of power to the rear wheels and the vehicle could move when the transmission is in Park, if the parking brake is not used. Safety Risk: A parked vehicle that rolls away could create the risk of an injury or a crash. A loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail. For Police Interceptor Utility models, you will be instructed to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace a bushing and the rear axle housing cover. For all other models, you will be instructed to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the engine control module (PCM) software to set the parking brake when the transmission is in the Park position.
- Suspension#2021587
10,405 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles that have had one (or both) of the rear wheel knuckle(s) replaced, the outer ball joint for the rear suspension toe link may seize. If this happens, the toe link could break while driving. This could cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with a rear ball joint manufactured by ZF. Safety Risk: A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect if it has had ball joints installed to replace the original bushings in the rear suspension. If so, the ball joints will be inspected. If a ball joint requires replacement, the dealer will replace the rear suspension knuckle and toe link, as necessary.
- Suspension#2021438
56,917 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the outer ball joint for the rear suspension toe link may seize. If this happens, the toe link could break while driving. This could cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with a rear ball joint manufactured by ZF. Safety Risk: A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the rear suspension toe links and inspect the ball joints. If a ball joint requires replacement, the dealer will replace the rear suspension knuckle.
- Visual System#2021010
3 units affected
Issue: On a small number of vehicles, the windshield washer fluid reservoir may have been filled with washer fluid that was contaminated with brake fluid. This could reduce the driver's ability to clear the windshield and cause damage to the wiper/washer system. Safety Risk: A windshield that is not properly cleared could block a driver's view. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to flush out the washer system and replace the washer bottle neck, washer pump assembly, fluid level sensor as well as the front and rear wiper blades. The dealer will also inspect and repair paint and exterior components, if necessary.
- Suspension#2020524
32,095 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the outer ball joint for the rear suspension toe link may seize. If this happens, the toe link could break while driving. This could cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability. Safety Risk: A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the ball joints for the rear suspension toe links. If a ball joint requires replacement, the dealer will replace the rear suspension knuckle.
- Suspension#2019280
28,019 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the rear suspension toe link(s) could break. This could cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability. Note: This problem is more likely to occur on vehicles that are driven on rough roads. Safety Risk: A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to install improved rear suspension toe links.
- Steering#2017415
9 units affected
On certain vehicles, the steering gear heat shield fasteners may have an incorrect coating that could cause the heat shield to corrode and detach. This could expose the steering gear system to higher temperatures and could cause the steering gear to overheat, which could result in a reduction of steering assist until the gear cools. If the steering gear electrical connectors were to melt, it would result in a sudden loss of steering assist. A loss of power steering assist could unexpectedly increase steering effort, which would increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the fasteners and replace as required. Note: In the event of a loss of power assist, the message "SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW" would be displayed in the instrument cluster.
- Suspension#2017224
21,577 units affected
On certain vehicles operated in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, soil properties unique to these areas could cause an accumulation of soil to occur at the attachment point of the rear suspension toe link. This could impede the toe link's travel, causing bending stresses and potential fracture. A fractured toe link would affect vehicle handling and could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the toe links with revised parts.
- Powertrain#2016639
126 units affected
On certain vehicles, the turbocharger oil supply tube may have been improperly brazed. This could allow engine oil to leak and come in contact with hot surfaces, increasing the risk of fire resulting in injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect oil supply lines and replace as required.
- Suspension#2016182
4,615 units affected
Certain vehicles may have been built with an improperly welded rear suspension toe link. If the improperly welded toe link were to fracture while the vehicle is in motion, it could result in rear suspension noise, difficulty steering and/or a loss of steering control, which would increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the rear toe links.
- Fuel System#2013186
23,612 units affected
On certain vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack which could allow fuel to leak. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module.
Canadian data updated August 24, 2026
Does this recall apply to my vehicle?
Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.
What to do
Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:
- NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada