2011–2017 Ford Explorer: Clunk, wandering or sudden loss of control (rear toe link recall)
Likely causes, ranked
- Fractured rear toe link or seized ball joint$0–$0Shop
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
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Symptom: A clunk from the rear, the vehicle pulling or wandering, rear tires wearing oddly, or a sudden change in handling.
Likely causes
- Fractured rear toe link or seized ball joint. Ford's recalls describe toe links cracking from stress, and salt-corroded ball joints that break the link.
DIY or shop?
Dealer. Recall repairs are free.
Useful steps
- Check your VIN for all three recalls, even if you've had one done.
- Have the rear suspension checked if handling changes.
Vehicle focus: 2011–2017 Ford Explorer.
Safety / mechanic note
A broken toe link can cause loss of control. Verify with a mechanic or dealer.
Recalls & service bulletins
Recalls
- 19V435000 2011–2017 Explorer: the rear toe links can crack under stress. Dealers replace the toe links and inspect the ball joints, replacing the rear knuckles if needed. Details
- 20V675000 2013–2017 Explorer in salt states that were already repaired: the cross-axis ball joint knuckle is inspected and replaced as needed. Details
- 21V537000 Expansion for 2013–2017 Explorer in salt states: road salt can seize the ball joint and break the outer toe link. Dealers inspect and replace the knuckle and toe links. Details
NHTSA complaints: 333 keyword-matched complaints for Ford EXPLORER 2011–2017 (of 11,756 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.