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  • Updated for 2026

Ford Explorer Police Intercept Recalls

NHTSA has issued 4 safety recalls for the Ford Explorer Police Intercept, covering model years 2017 through 2021. The 2020 model year has the most, with 2 separate campaigns against it. The largest single recall covered 252,936 vehicles. The most recent was reported to NHTSA on April 14, 2022.

Total recalls
4
Model years affected
3
Most recalled part
No repeat
Latest recall
2022

Ford Explorer Police Intercept recalls by model year

How many campaigns were issued against each model year. One recall often covers several years at once, so these add up to more than the 4 total.

20211 recall20202 recalls20172 recalls

All Ford Explorer Police Intercept recalls

Each entry is an official NHTSA campaign, shown with the defect, consequence, and remedy exactly as the manufacturer reported them, newest first.

22V255000Power trainReported April 14, 2022

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Model years affected: 2020–2021

The problem

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer Police FHEV, Explorer Police 3.3L, and 2020-2022 Explorer 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3L FHEV, and 3.0L ST GAS vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.

What can happen

A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in 'Park' without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix

Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the bushing and axle cover, or update the electronic parking brake software. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022, and March 10, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S27.

Vehicles affected
252,936
Maker's recall no.
22S27
Owners notified
June 9, 2022
Read campaign 22V255000 on NHTSA.gov ↗
21V014000VisibilityReported January 15, 2021

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Model years affected: 2020

The problem

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The affected vehicles contain windshield washer fluid that was contaminated with brake fluid. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."

What can happen

A washer system contaminated with brake fluid can reduce the driver's ability to clear windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush out the washer system, replacing the washer bottle neck, washer pump assembly, fluid level sensor and the front and rear wiper blades. Dealers will also inspect and repair the vehicle's paint and exterior components if affected, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C01.

Vehicles affected
283
Maker's recall no.
21C01
Owners notified
March 2, 2021
Safety standard
FMVSS 104
Read campaign 21V014000 on NHTSA.gov ↗
17V401000SeatReported June 26, 2017

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Model years affected: 2017

The problem

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor vehicles. The affected vehicles may be missing the two front inboard attachments for the second row seats. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating systems", and (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat belt assembly anchorages."

What can happen

Seats with missing inboard attachments may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to verify that they have the second row seat attachment studs, installing them if not, free of charge. The recall began on August 14, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C10.

Vehicles affected
4
Maker's recall no.
17C10
Owners notified
August 14, 2017
Safety standard
FMVSS 207
Read campaign 17V401000 on NHTSA.gov ↗
16V925000Engine and coolingReported December 22, 2016

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

Model years affected: 2017

The problem

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.

What can happen

An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

The fix

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.

Vehicles affected
1,163
Maker's recall no.
16S46
Owners notified
January 31, 2017
Read campaign 16V925000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

What to do if your Ford Explorer Police Intercept is on this list

A recall listed here applies to a range of vehicles, not to every car of that model year. Manufacturers narrow it down by build date and VIN, so the only way to know whether yours is included is to check the VIN. You can do that free on NHTSA's recall lookup, or by calling any franchised dealer for that brand with your VIN in hand.

Recall repairs are free. Under federal law the manufacturer has to fix a safety defect at no charge, and there is no mileage limit and no expiry on that obligation for vehicles under 15 years old. A dealer cannot charge you for the parts, the labour, or the diagnosis on a recall repair, and you do not need to have bought the car there. If a dealer asks you to pay, that is worth escalating to the manufacturer's customer line, which is listed in the remedy text of each recall above.

Recalls do not block a title transfer or registration in any state. You can legally buy, sell, or register a car with an open recall, and sellers are generally not required to fix one first. That said, an open recall is worth raising before money changes hands, especially one with a do-not-drive advisory. If you are buying, run the VIN before you hand over the payment; if you are selling, telling the buyer about an open recall costs you nothing and avoids a dispute later.

Ford Explorer Police Intercept recall questions

How many recalls does the Ford Explorer Police Intercept have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the Ford Explorer Police Intercept across model years 2017 to 2021. That count covers recalls filed from 2010 onward. Not every campaign applies to every car of that model year, because manufacturers limit recalls by build date and VIN.

Which Ford Explorer Police Intercept model year has the most recalls?

The 2020 Ford Explorer Police Intercept carries the most, with 2 recall campaigns. A high count does not automatically mean a worse car: a single supplier fault can trigger a recall across an entire production run, and manufacturers that report problems quickly tend to show more campaigns.

Are Ford Explorer Police Intercept recall repairs free?

Yes. Federal law requires the manufacturer to repair a safety recall at no cost, including parts and labour, on vehicles under 15 years old. There is no mileage limit, and you do not have to be the original owner or have bought the car from that dealer.

Can I sell or register a Ford Explorer Police Intercept with an open recall?

Yes. An open recall does not stop a title transfer or registration in any state, and private sellers are generally not required to repair one first. Dealers face stricter rules on some safety recalls. If you are buying, check the VIN before you pay; the repair is free, but you want to know what you are taking on.

Other Ford recalls

Where this data comes from

Every recall on this page is published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the federal agency that oversees vehicle safety recalls in the United States. We pull the full recall file from NHTSA and reproduce the campaign number, defect description, consequence, and remedy exactly as the manufacturer reported them. NHTSA data is in the public domain.

Source:
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
NHTSA data as of:
July 18, 2026
Coverage:
Recalls from 2010 onward
Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov ↗

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Last reviewed: 2026-07-18 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Independent resource · Not legal advice

⚠ Independent resource — check your VIN before actingCar Paperwork is not affiliated with NHTSA, any manufacturer, or any dealer. This page lists recalls issued for a model, which is not the same as a recall on your car: only a VIN check confirms that. Recall records are also updated by NHTSA continuously, so treat this as a starting point and confirm anything urgent with NHTSA or a franchised dealer. Nothing here is legal or repair advice.