Ford Explorer 2020–2023 — technical service bulletin
Bulletin SSM 51439 · NHTSA communication 10233725 · issued Mar 14, 2023
Technical service bulletin
communication type
Power Train
component
2020–2023
model years
8
vehicle entries
Official summary
Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator 4x4/AWD vehicles with hybrid powertrain may experience a harshness and/or vibration felt through the seat, steering wheel and/or center console after initial driveaway between 25-50 MPH (40-80 Km/h) that lessens after driving 5-10 minutes. This may be due to driveshaft center bearing bounce mode during cold ambient temperatures. To resolve the concern, install a softer durometer L1MZ-4A499-F driveshaft center bearing per Workshop Manual Section 205-01. For claiming, use causal part 4A499 and applicable labor operations in Section 4 of the Service Labor Time Stan
Vehicles covered
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.