Saturday, August 8, 2026
RecallGazette

Vehicle problems, recalls & safety intelligence

Ford Explorer 2020–2021technical service bulletin

Bulletin SSM 51391 · NHTSA communication 10232484 · issued Feb 28, 2023

Technical service bulletin
communication type
Back Over Prevention
component
2020–2021
model years
2
vehicle entries

Official summary

Some 2020-2021 Explorer vehicles with 2.3L engine may exhibit a lack of heat from the passenger side vents of the vehicle when using the climate control. When diagnosing for insufficient, erratic or no heat from passenger side vents, perform Workshop Manual (WSM) pinpoint (PPT) tests K, and referred pinpoint tests G/H, and/or AE as applies. If WSM PPT tests are inconclusive, replace heater core per WSM Section 412-00.

What a TSB means. Technical service bulletins are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls, and repairs are not automatically free (warranty extensions are an exception worth checking). The full document is available via NHTSA’s vehicle lookup.