NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Ford Explorer and Aviator recall: A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly

Recall published 1+ years ago

A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly.

The hazard: Vehicle safety recall

The manufacturer filed this campaign after identifying a defect or a compliance failure. The summary above is their own description of it.

What the notice says: A loose subframe bolt may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Why it matters: The manufacturer identified a defect or a failure to meet a federal motor vehicle safety standard. The summary above describes the specific component and what it can do.

Recall details

Recall number
25V316000
Published
May 9, 2025
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
Ford
Product type
Structure
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
Ford Explorer · Lincoln Aviator
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 25V316000

Products covered by this recall

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly.

Vehicles in this campaign

Check your product

The notice names 2 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Vehicle

Match this against the make and model on your registration.

  • Explorer
  • Aviator

Codes are lifted verbatim from the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Vehicle

Ford — The manufacturer filed this campaign after identifying a defect or a compliance failure. The summary above is their own description of it.

  1. Read the summary above for the component involved — it determines how urgent this is for you.
  2. Keep the repair order the dealer hands you. It is your proof the campaign was closed out, and it matters at resale.
  3. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you do anything else. A campaign covers a build range, not every car of that model year, and the VIN lookup is the only thing that confirms yours is included.
  4. Call any franchised dealer for the brand, give them the campaign number from this page, and ask them to confirm parts are in stock before you book — part supply, not labour, is what delays a fresh recall.

What the recall repair costs you

Nothing, and that is a legal obligation rather than a goodwill gesture. The question worth asking is what else is covered.

  • Recall work is free for as long as you own the vehicle, with no mileage limit, no age limit for the current owner, and no requirement that you bought the car from that dealer.
  • If you already paid an independent garage for the same fix, submit the invoice to the manufacturer under their reimbursement plan.
  • Get the closed campaign noted on your service record. Buyers and insurers both check.
  • Ask about a loaner or rental when you book, not when you arrive. On a parts-delayed campaign it is frequently available and almost never volunteered.

Remedy named in the notice: Dealers will inspect and tighten the subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2025. Ford's number for this recall is 25S43.

Company contact: Ford Motor Company

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Ford structure recalled?

A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly. A loose subframe bolt may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Read the summary above for the component involved — it determines how urgent this is for you.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Dealers will inspect and tighten the subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2025. Ford's number for this recall is 25S43.

Does the repair cost me anything?

No. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at a franchised dealer for as long as the campaign is open, whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.

Related recalls