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October 7, 2025 Service bulletin

Some 2021-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine, 2021-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped...

Ford technical service bulletin SSM 54275 for 2021-2024 Ford F-150, 2021-2023 Ford Explorer and 2021-2023 Ford Edge and others.

Bulletin number
SSM 54275
Component
Engine
Summary
Some 2021-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine, 2021-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost or 3.0L plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) engine, 2021-2023 Edge/Nautilus vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost, 2021-2024 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost, and 2021-2024 Bronco and 2024 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine. This noise may occur on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more that may last for 2-5 seconds. This may be due to an internal component of the variable cam timing (VCT) unit. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 > Diagnosis and Testing > Engine > Pinpoint Test F has been updated to include additional steps along with a video to identify the affected VCT unit that requires replacement.

Owners of these vehicles have filed 539 complaints in the engine category.

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