Ford on Friday issued a recall for nearly 775,000 Explorer SUVs due to an issue that the company says can increase the risk of a crash.
The recall covers about 774,700 2013-2017 model Explorers that may have a seized cross-axis ball joint, which can cause a fractured rear suspension toe link, the company said.
A fractured rear toe link “significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash,” according to Ford.
“Affected vehicles may experience a clunk noise, unusual handling, or a misaligned rear wheel,” the company added.
Ford added that it is “aware of six allegations of injury related to this condition in North America.”
The recall affects about 676,000 cars in North America, 59,900 in China, 13,200 in Europe, 200 in South America and 25,300 in other markets, the company said.
Ford added that in the US, the affected cars are in “high-corrosion states,” which includes much of the Midwest and Northeast.
The company said owner notifications will begin next month and dealerships will inspect the cross-axis ball joint.
Also on Friday, the company issued two other small recalls.
One recall applied to nearly 35,000 Ford F-350 Super Duty vehicles with a 6.7-liter engine and single rear wheel axle for a rear axle housing spring seat interface weld issue, which it also said can increase the risk of a crash.
The company said it’s “not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.”
The third recall applies to about 41,000 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0-liter gas engines “because the battery cable wire harness may not be properly secured.”
Ford said the issue could lead to “a short circuit and potential fire,” but the company “is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires related to this concern.”