Ford bulletin SSM 51536
What it saysFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. NHTSA’s full summary ↓
Ford filed this with NHTSA as a service bulletin dated Apr 4, 2023, received May 4, 2023, about the structure. It names 209 model years across Ford and Lincoln (2016–2023). A service bulletin is not a safety recall: it is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a condition, and whether the work is paid for depends on the warranty in force. Quoting the number at a service desk can save a diagnosis.
One page for every brand it was filed under. Each brand’s bulletins: Ford · Lincoln.
Get the next Ford bulletin for your model by email Weekly, only when something new is filed. Nothing else; one-click unsubscribe.
What the bulletin says
Source: NHTSA's summary of the manufacturer's communicationFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are followed when diagnosing the condition prior to all module replacements and only order modules using the correct VIN.
Document filed under this number
| Document | Kind | Dated | NHTSA id | At NHTSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSM 51536 | Service bulletin | Apr 4, 2023 | 10235153 | PDF, 60 KB |
The summary is NHTSA’s abstract of the document, as filed under 49 CFR 579.5. One communication is usually filed as several documents — the bulletin, a dealer notice, an owner letter — and the number on any of them finds this page. A PDF link is shown only once NHTSA’s own server has been seen to serve that document; the rest are checked over the following nights. Quote the number at a service desk; it is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Model years it names
Source: as the manufacturer filed themFord 168 model years
and 83 more on this site: 2017 Ford Explorer, 2016 Ford Explorer, 2023 Ford F-150, 2022 Ford F-150, 2021 Ford F-150, 2020 Ford F-150, 2019 Ford F-150, 2018 Ford F-150, 2017 Ford F-150, 2016 Ford F-150, 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, 2022 Ford F-250 Super Duty, 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty, 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty, 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, 2018 Ford F-250 Super Duty, 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty, 2016 Ford F-250 Super Duty, 2023 Ford F-350 Super Duty, 2022 Ford F-350 Super Duty, 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty, 2019 Ford F-350 Super Duty, 2018 Ford F-350 Super Duty, 2017 Ford F-350 Super Duty, 2016 Ford F-350 Super Duty, 2023 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2022 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2021 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2020 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2019 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2018 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2017 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2016 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2019 Ford Fiesta, 2018 Ford Fiesta, 2017 Ford Fiesta, 2016 Ford Fiesta, 2019 Ford Flex, 2018 Ford Flex, 2017 Ford Flex, 2016 Ford Flex, 2018 Ford Focus, 2017 Ford Focus, 2016 Ford Focus, 2020 Ford Fusion, 2019 Ford Fusion, 2018 Ford Fusion, 2017 Ford Fusion, 2016 Ford Fusion, 2021 Ford GT, 2020 Ford GT, 2019 Ford GT, 2018 Ford GT, 2017 Ford GT, 2023 Ford Maverick, 2022 Ford Maverick, 2023 Ford Mustang, 2022 Ford Mustang, 2021 Ford Mustang, 2020 Ford Mustang, 2019 Ford Mustang, 2018 Ford Mustang, 2017 Ford Mustang, 2016 Ford Mustang, 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E, 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, 2023 Ford Ranger, 2022 Ford Ranger, 2021 Ford Ranger, 2020 Ford Ranger, 2019 Ford Ranger, 2020 Ford Transit, 2019 Ford Transit, 2023 Ford Transit Connect, 2022 Ford Transit Connect, 2021 Ford Transit Connect, 2020 Ford Transit Connect, 2019 Ford Transit Connect, 2018 Ford Transit Connect, 2017 Ford Transit Connect, 2016 Ford Transit Connect.
Also filed against model years this site has no page for: 2016 Ford F-53; 2017 Ford F-53; 2018 Ford F-53; 2019 Ford F-53; 2020 Ford F-53; 2021 Ford F-53; 2022 Ford F-53; 2016 Ford F-550 SD; 2017 Ford F-550 SD; 2018 Ford F-550 SD; 2019 Ford F-550 SD; 2020 Ford F-550 SD; 2021 Ford F-550 SD; 2022 Ford F-550 SD; 2023 Ford F-550 SD; 2020 Ford F-600 SD; 2021 Ford F-600 SD; 2022 Ford F-600 SD; 2016 Ford F-650; 2017 Ford F-650; 2021 Ford F-650; 2016 Ford F-650 SD; 2017 Ford F-650 SD; 2018 Ford F-650 SD; 2019 Ford F-650 SD; 2020 Ford F-650 SD; 2021 Ford F-650 SD; 2022 Ford F-650 SD; 2023 Ford F-650 SD; 2016 Ford F-750; 2017 Ford F-750; 2018 Ford F-750; 2021 Ford F-750; 2016 Ford F-750 SD; 2017 Ford F-750 SD; 2018 Ford F-750 SD; 2019 Ford F-750 SD; 2020 Ford F-750 SD; 2021 Ford F-750 SD; 2022 Ford F-750 SD; 2023 Ford F-750 SD; 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan; 2017 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan; 2018 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan; 2019 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan.
Lincoln 41 model years
and 33 more on this site: 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2022 Lincoln Corsair, 2021 Lincoln Corsair, 2020 Lincoln Corsair, 2019 Lincoln MKC, 2018 Lincoln MKC, 2017 Lincoln MKC, 2016 Lincoln MKC, 2016 Lincoln MKS, 2019 Lincoln MKT, 2018 Lincoln MKT, 2017 Lincoln MKT, 2016 Lincoln MKT, 2018 Lincoln MKX, 2017 Lincoln MKX, 2016 Lincoln MKX, 2020 Lincoln MKZ, 2019 Lincoln MKZ, 2018 Lincoln MKZ, 2017 Lincoln MKZ, 2016 Lincoln MKZ, 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus, 2019 Lincoln Nautilus, 2023 Lincoln Navigator, 2022 Lincoln Navigator, 2021 Lincoln Navigator, 2020 Lincoln Navigator, 2019 Lincoln Navigator, 2018 Lincoln Navigator, 2017 Lincoln Navigator, 2016 Lincoln Navigator.
A vehicle page’s bulletin list shows the newest few communications filed against that model year; the count there is every one.
Email me new Ford bulletins for one of these models
A weekly email, sent only in a week when Ford files something new with NHTSA for the model you pick — service bulletins, campaigns, warranty extensions, over-the-air notices, every model year. Nothing else is sent; one-click unsubscribe in every message. Separate from recall alerts.
What owners reported
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseOwners of the 164 model years this bulletin names have filed 57,521 complaints with NHTSA since 2015. 3,660 of them name Structure — the same broad component group this bulletin is filed under. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so that means the same area of the vehicle, not necessarily the same fault.
On the 2017 Ford Explorer, the 317 owners who gave an odometer reading for Structure reported it at a median of 75,000 miles. That figure is one model year’s, not the whole range this bulletin covers — medians from different model years are not averaged.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear hatch independently opened without warning. The contact also stated that the hatch would independently close shut while loading items into the vehicle. The contact stated that he had been struck on the head several times due to the failure.
2022 Ford Escape · Structure · filed with NHTSA Nov 17, 2023 · ODI 11555591
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKT. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number:25V827000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
2017 Lincoln MKT · Structure · filed with NHTSA May 15, 2026 · ODI 11738106
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated the black panel trim had detached while driving at 55 MPH on the highway. The driver ran over the plastic. The contact received the recall notification letter for the NHTSA Campaign Number. 25V827000 (Back Over Prevention) The contact called the local dealer regarding the recall.
2018 Lincoln MKT · Structure · filed with NHTSA May 27, 2026 · ODI 11740353
In depth: 2021 Ford Escape body and structure problems → · 2020 Ford Escape body and structure problems → · 2017 Ford Escape body and structure problems → · 2019 Ford Explorer body and structure problems →
A complaint is one owner’s account, not a defect finding, and a bulletin is not a recall. Nothing here says this bulletin was issued because of these complaints, or that the repair it describes fixed them. Complaint files on this site begin in 2015.
More bulletins about the structure
Source: same model, same component group103 other manufacturer communications filed against these Ford models under the same component group (structure), newest first. The eight newest are listed; the rest are on the Ford list.
| Number | Kind | Dated | NHTSA’s summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSM 55279 | Service bulletin | Oct 24, 2026 | 2025-2027 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility non-hybrid vehicles built on or after 05-Mar-2025 and 2025-2027 Aviator vehicles built on or a… |
| SSM 55275 | Service bulletin | Oct 23, 2026 | Some 2024 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 5th wheel prep package may experience difficulty installing a 5th wheel hitch assembly to th… |
| SSM 55229 | Service bulletin | Oct 8, 2026 | Some 2025-2027 Navigator vehicles equipped with a second row floor console may experience a sliding cover over the cup holders that has beco… |
| TSB 26-2092 V2 | Service bulletin | Sep 22, 2026 | This article supersedes TSB 25-2466 to add Bronco Sport, Escape, Maverick and Corsair, as well as removing Expedition and Navigator. One tim… |
| SSM 55162 | Service bulletin | Sep 10, 2026 | All 2026 Nautilus vehicles built on or after 07-Apr-2026 will no longer come with a plastic rear license plate bracket as part of the loose… |
| RGTM-26.AF | Over-the-air update | Aug 27, 2026 | Quality improvements include: -Rear Gate latch calibration update to permit unlatching via the release button when the system has lost posit… |
| SSM 55117 | Service bulletin | Aug 25, 2026 | Some 2026 Transit vehicles built on or after 16-Jul-2025 may exhibit all of the following symptoms: - "No Key Detected" message displayed on… |
| SSM 55113 | Service bulletin | Aug 21, 2026 | Some 2024-2025 Ranger vehicles equipped with a cargo box power point plug may exhibit a condition where all interior/exterior power outlets/… |
Quote the number at the service desk. It is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Every manufacturer communication NHTSA holds for Ford and Lincoln, by the number printed on the letter.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR 579.5Is Ford SSM 51536 a recall?
No. A service bulletin is a manufacturer communication filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR 579.5; a safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number (two digits, a letter, six digits) and a federal duty to repair for free. Check the vehicle’s recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or on its page here.
Is the SSM 51536 repair free?
Not automatically. A service bulletin describes how to diagnose or repair a condition; who pays depends on the warranty in force, any extension, and the dealer. Quoting the number can save a diagnosis either way.
Which vehicles does SSM 51536 cover?
The manufacturer filed it against 209 model years across 2 brands (Ford and Lincoln): 2023 Ford Bronco, 2022 Ford Bronco, 2021 Ford Bronco, 2023 Ford Bronco Sport, 2022 Ford Bronco Sport, 2021 Ford Bronco Sport and more. Whether one particular vehicle is affected is a matter of its VIN and its build, not its model year alone.