NHTSA Complaint #11697796 — 2021 FORD EXPLORER

We received notification from Ford that there is a "rear axle bolt fracture" possible on our 2021 Ford Explorer and noted we were to contact our dealer to address. However when I reached out to the dealership (and then subsequently to Ford Customer Service) I was told that the issue was being treated on an "extended warranty" basis. We would recognize the issue when we noticed severe vibration and lost of mobility in the vehicle and that putting it in Park would not keep the vehicle from rolling. Based on those calls, my wife could be left on the side of the road, involved in a fatal accident (to her or others) etc., instead of addressing the issue as a preventive measure. In addition, nothing in our coversations or in their notice involved the cost to us for additional damage to the vehicle, towing or a rental car (as the dealership said they wouldn't even be able to order the bolts until the fracture occurred and they had the vehicle in their shop. The service code for this defect is 24N01. As of this date we have not experianced this issue but am trying to avoid it occurring since it is a known defect by Ford.