Explorer Compliance Recall Notice 25C42/NTHSA Recall 25V543

[Nascarbilly]

Today, I received my first recall notice for my Explorer ST. This recall covers the "electronic components of the printed circuit board of the Body Control Module C (BCMC) that MAY have been improperly soldered. As a result, when a trailer is connected to the vehicle and the vehicle's trailer tow electrical connector is utilized, the trailer's taillamps may not illuminate as intended". Ford's letter went on to say "Inoperative trailer tail lamps reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk for a crash."

However, please sit down for this, your vehicle may also experience the following operability problems with:
__inoperative power window/mirror switches
__vehicle's air conditioning system may blow warm air
__operability issues with DC/AC inverter
__glove box light
__vanity lights or dome lamps
__alarm portion of the horn
__rear defroster
__USB chargers
__and/or 12 volt points.

Thank God the car is still considered to be drivable according to Ford!! The parts for the fix are not out yet but is expected before the end of the year (2025).

 

[Gadgtfreek]

I just ran my VIN, and nothing comes back. Its a July 2025 build, so maybe this will miss me.

 

[Nascarbilly]

I just ran my VIN, and nothing comes back. Its a July 2025 build, so maybe this will miss me.

@Gadgtfreek: I sure hope so for you. Mine is part of that infamous "Job 2" build (where they unceremoniously striped off a bunch of ST staples), actual date 8 Dec 2024. I am curious as to how far wide spread this issue will be. But isn't is interesting how many different/separate areas it can potentially affect?

 

[Gadgtfreek]

Yeah, pretty crazy.

Mine was a very late July build, and I got it at the end of Sept. So it didn't sit around long. All I did was run the VIN on the NHTSA site... They are selling a lot of Explorers this year so far, so they need to get it together.

And yeah. Mine didn't have rear shades, nor a telescoping wheel, nor an ST badge on the FOB...

 

[Nascarbilly]

Yeah, pretty crazy.

Mine was a very late July build, and I got it at the end of Sept. So it didn't sit around long. All I did was run the VIN on the NHTSA site... They are selling a lot of Explorers this year so far, so they need to get it together.

And yeah. Mine didn't have rear shades, nor a telescoping wheel, nor an ST badge on the FOB...

@Gadgtfreek: Ford's shift to "Job 2" was so crazy they somehow forgot to tell the Dealers about how radical it was. When I became aware of the many issues in February 2025 (weeks after my 15 January purchase), I called my Sales Guy and the Dealership ended up calling Detroit for the answers. I have written a letter to the CEO of Ford complaining with minimal response from someone in Customer Service. Your comment "They are selling a lot of Explorers this year so far, so they need to get it together" is so profound and to the point!!!!!

 

[Gadgtfreek]

Yeah, I mean it's almost a $60k suv. And you drop out the ST logo, speaker logos and a tele steering wheel? Lame.

 

[Nascarbilly]

Let's put this all into perspective; my wife has had (4) four Toyota vehicles: new 2008 Camry XLE Hybrid, new 2015 Avalon Limited Hybrid, 2005 Prius from her parents estate and a new 2025 Highlander Platinum Hybrid since 2008. Her grand total of recall notices for all (4) cars during that period is ZERO, as in NONE. Ford has NEVER made any vehicle that can make that claim.

 

[Gadgtfreek]

I get it. But Toyota’s had plenty. Floormats that would kill you. Air bag shrapnel that would kill you. Tundra engine failures trying to show the Chevy 6.2L how to hold a beer lol.

 

[Nascarbilly]

I get it. But Toyota’s had plenty. Floormats that would kill you. Air bag shrapnel that would kill you. Tundra engine failures trying to show the Chevy 6.2L how to hold a beer lol.

Agreed!!! I remember hearing about the floormats (Toyota changed out all of our floormats although none of our originals were involved in the issue) and the outsourced Taconsha Air Bag issues but don't remember the Tundra story.

Let's both hope we don't end up talking about any more future Ford Recalls on our ST's. I know I threw caution into the wind and bought mine as I wanted to get something to replace my Shelby cars (tooooo low and tooooo hard to get in/out of). Diane says I bought a "Grown up Mustang" when I got the ST.

 

[Gadgtfreek]

Yeah the current tundras have had engine failures. I think the floormat fiasco is why all of them have clips now for the drivers side.

 

[Nascarbilly]

Yeah the current tundras have had engine failures. I think the floormat fiasco is why all of them have clips now for the drivers side.

Agreed!! There is now a notation on every one of our individual repair orders at Toyota signifying that a Technician has physically checked the floor mats as part of the multipoint inspection. .

 

[wifeys-ST]

Those symptoms don’t surprise me at all. My 2020 had a high resistance ground in the AWD module and so it was getting lower voltage than it needed (9v) and it was causing the ABS module to become unresponsive after i put it in drive or reverse so i had NO BRAKES at all until i mashed the brake about 5 times. Happened about 6 times before i fixed the ground. Worst part is there were no DTCs from these events until the ground got worse and i got different symptoms,

 

[Nascarbilly]

Those symptoms don’t surprise me at all. My 2020 had a high resistance ground in the AWD module and so it was getting lower voltage than it needed (9v) and it was causing the ABS module to become unresponsive after i put it in drive or reverse so i had NO BRAKES at all until i mashed the brake about 5 times. Happened about 6 times before i fixed the ground. Worst part is there were no DTCs from these events until the ground got worse and i got different symptoms,

@wifeys-ST: I take it Ford did not help you with this problem. It is great that you are mechanically savvy enough to triage and ultimately fix the problem before it became a bigger concern.

Personally, I guess it just rubs me wrong that I unknowingly bought a watered down Explorer ST (pretty much the way @Gadgtfreek described the SUV for almost $60,000). Now it has a recall and I barely have 2,100 miles on it in 10 months. Starting to have a confidence concern based upon poor workmanship.

 

[COBRA90GT]

Cross referencing another related thread in case others are looking for a picture of the actual letter - ( I don't think mods will want to "merge" the two together since each thread is technically for a different issue.... ? )

https://www.explorerst.org/threads/october-software-update-installed-today.9597/#post-118952 <----- See post # 6 by user " Caster .

 

[KCM]

Let's put this all into perspective; my wife has had (4) four Toyota vehicles: new 2008 Camry XLE Hybrid, new 2015 Avalon Limited Hybrid, 2005 Prius from her parents estate and a new 2025 Highlander Platinum Hybrid since 2008. Her grand total of recall notices for all (4) cars during that period is ZERO, as in NONE. Ford has NEVER made any vehicle that can make that claim.

Not so. My Dad's 2018 Fusion Sport and my 2019 have never had a recall.

Recalls get blown out of proportion sometimes. While some are big safety concerns, such as air bags, brake, or major engine problems, others are just minor or problems that most cars won't have. Preventative recalls. My 2020 ST currently has two recalls. One is for a "possible" loose or missing fastener on the seat belts and the other to replace the bezel on the rear seat fold button as it may inadvertently press the button and fold the seat. I'm sure because they are related to safety that is the reason for the recall. But I've never had the problems since I've owned it and I bet there are very few out there that have. Cameras are one I feel are blown out of proportion. Yes, they help in preventing accidents, but I grew up when cars did not have cameras and got by without them. Do I want them on a new car, yes, but it is just an inconvenience if they don't work and does not prevent you from driving the car.

Personally I'd rather have a car recalled and a problem fixed rather than have a known problem with a car and not have an automaker recall it.

 

[Nascarbilly]

Not so. My Dad's 2018 Fusion Sport and my 2019 have never had a recall.

Recalls get blown out of proportion sometimes. While some are big safety concerns, such as air bags, brake, or major engine problems, others are just minor or problems that most cars won't have. Preventative recalls. My 2020 ST currently has two recalls. One is for a "possible" loose or missing fastener on the seat belts and the other to replace the bezel on the rear seat fold button as it may inadvertently press the button and fold the seat. I'm sure because they are related to safety that is the reason for the recall. But I've never had the problems since I've owned it and I bet there are very few out there that have. Cameras are one I feel are blown out of proportion. Yes, they help in preventing accidents, but I grew up when cars did not have cameras and got by without them. Do I want them on a new car, yes, but it is just an inconvenience if they don't work and does not prevent you from driving the car.

Personally I'd rather have a car recalled and a problem fixed rather than have a known problem with a car and not have an automaker recall it.

@KCM: I consider your family Ford Recall Record to be very good to excellent. With the (4) four Ford Mustangs I have owned, every single vehicle had at least one if not 2 recalls during my ownership. One recall was for the airbags issues, 2 times it was for separate camera issues (and yes, you are right about them), a couple more were electrical wiring, etc., that kind of stuff. If you have followed this thread from start, you saw where I said I threw caution out the window buying this ST. I agree it is much better to have the recall notices vs not knowing.