NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator recall: The transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts

Recall published 1+ years ago

The transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts.

The hazard: Loss of drive power or rollaway

The defect can leave the vehicle without power while moving, or allow it to move while nobody is in it.

What the notice says: An improperly secured transmission can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Why it matters: The vehicle may stall, lose motive power while being driven, or roll away after being left in park. A stall at speed removes power steering and power braking assistance at the same moment.

Recall details

Recall number
25V020000
Published
January 17, 2025
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
Ford
Product type
Power Train
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
Ford Explorer · Lincoln Aviator
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 25V020000

Products covered by this recall

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts.

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.

  • Ford Explorer
  • Lincoln 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 Power loss

Ford — The defect can leave the vehicle without power while moving, or allow it to move while nobody is in it.

  1. If the vehicle has already stalled or rolled, stop using it and tell the dealer that when you book — it moves you up the queue.
  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.
  • 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.
  • Keep receipts for towing, storage or a rental you arranged yourself — reimbursement for these is common where the vehicle was undrivable.

Remedy named in the notice: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission cross member bolts as necessary, free of charge. If the cross member bolts are missing, dealers will replace the cross member and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S03.

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 power train recalled?

The transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts. An improperly secured transmission can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

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?

If the vehicle has already stalled or rolled, stop using it and tell the dealer that when you book — it moves you up the queue.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission cross member bolts as necessary, free of charge. If the cross member bolts are missing, dealers will replace the cross member and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S03.

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.

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