TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
"Steering Assist Fault Service Required" Message In The IPC And Reduced Steering Assist With DTCs
U3008:1B And/Or U3009:1B Stored In The PSCM

26-2035
04 February 2026

This bulletin supersedes 25-2350. Reason for update: update affected vehicles, revised parts list, and Service Procedure enhancements for HEV models to ensure
proper access to repair the framerail ground.
Model:
Ford
2025-2026 Explorer
2025-2026 Police Interceptor Utility
Lincoln
2025-2026 Aviator
Markets: North American markets only
Issue: Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following conditions:
• "Steering Assist Fault Service Required" message displayed in the IPC
• Reduced steering assist
• DTCs U3008:1B and/or U3009:1B stored in the PSCM
This may be due to the PSCM ground connections.
Action: For vehicles that meet all of the criteria in the Issue and Model statements, follow the Service Procedure to improve the PSCM ground connections.
Parts - Parts To Inspect And Replace Only If Necessary
Service Part
Number

Claim Quantity

Package Order
Quantity

Number in
Package

W505261-S450L

Only If Necessary (Up
To 1)

Only If Necessary (Up
To 1)

1

W520412-S450

Only If Necessary (Up
To 1)

Only If Necessary (Up
To 1)

4

W720930-S300

Only If Necessary (Up
To 6)

Only If Necessary (Up
To 2)

4

VC-13-G

Only If Necessary (Up
To 2)

Only If Necessary (Up
To 2)

1

CVC-13-G

Only If Necessary (Up
To 2)

Only If Necessary (Up
To 2)

1

Description
Self-Tapping M8 Bolt
M6 Nut
Blind Rivet
Motorcraft® Yellow Concentrated Antifreeze/Coolant (All Markets
Except Canada)
Motorcraft® Yellow Concentrated Antifreeze/Coolant (Canada Only)

Service part numbers and "number in package" quantity may change after publication, thus also affecting the "package order quantity". Refer to the parts catalog for the
latest information.
Claim Quantity refers to the total number of individual pieces required to repair the vehicle.
Package Order Quantity refers to the amount of the service part number package(s) required to repair the vehicle.
Number In Package refers to the number of individual pieces included in a service part number package, also known as unit of issue (UOI).
Only If Necessary indicates the part is not mandatory. Refer to the Service Procedure to determine the inspection/inclusion criteria.
Warranty Status: Warranty coverage limits and policies are not altered by a TSB. Warranty coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part.
Labor Times
Operation
No.

Description
2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator: Retrieve DTCs Remove Ground G104 Or G116 Modify Sheet Metal And Reinstall Ground Retainer
Retrieve DTCs Repair Complete (Can Be Claimed With MTD)

262035A

Time
0.7 Hrs

2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator: Retrieve DTCs Replace The Nut On Ground G103 Or G119 (Can Not Be Claimed With MTD)

262035B

0.5 hrs

2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator: Retrieve DTCs Remove Ground G104 Or G116 Modify Sheet Metal And Reinstall Ground Retainer
Retrieve DTCs Replace The Nut On Ground G103 Or G119 (Can Be Claimed With MTD)

262035C

0.8 Hrs

MT262035D

Actual Time Up To
5.1 Hours

2025-2026 Explorer Hybrid 3.3L: Extra Time to R&I Cooling Module And Position Aside Hoses/Wires As Needed To Clear Path For
Repair. (Can Be Claimed With A or C)
Repair/Claim Coding
Causal Part:

14300

Condition Code: x1

Service Procedure
1. Using the latest version of the FDRS scan tool, download and run the "Self-Test" application and select "Run ALL CMDTCs". Is DTC U3008:1B present in the PSCM?
1. Yes - proceed to Step 2.
2. No - proceed to Step 11.
2. Is the vehicle a 2026 Aviator?
1. Yes - proceed to Step 3.

2. No - proceed to Step 4.
3. Does the vehicle exhibit DTCU3009:1B?
1. Yes - proceed to Step 12.
2. No - this article does not apply. The ground connection for U3008:1B has been relocated on 2026 Aviator only. Refer to the WSM, Section 211-02 for
normal diagnostics.
4. For hybrid vehicles only, remove the cooling module. Refer to WSM Section 303-03 > Removal and Installation > Cooling Module.
5. For gas vehicles only, remove the engine front undershield. Refer to WSM, Section 501-02 > Removal and Installation > Engine Front Undershield.
6. Remove and discard the M6 fastener from ground G104 (Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility) or G116 (Aviator) on the passenger side frame rail. Refer to Wiring
Diagram Cell 151 for connection locations. (Figure 1)
NOTE: Do not remove any paint from the body as the ground path conduction is through the bolt threads.
Figure 1

7. Carefully enlarge the existing holes in the frame rail sheet metal and the harness eyelet by drilling with a 7 mm (9/32 in.) drill bit.
8. Reinstall ground G104 (Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility) or G116 (Aviator) using the new self-tapping M8 fastener. Make sure the ground eyelet locating tab is
properly aligned with the alignment hole in the frame. Tighten to 71 lb.in (8.0 Nm).
9. For gas vehicles only, install the engine front undershield. Refer to WSM, Section 501-02 > Removal and Installation > Engine Front Undershield.
10. For hybrid vehicles only, install the cooling module. Refer to WSM, Section 303-03 > Removal and Installation > Cooling Module.
11. Using FDRS, download and run the "Self-Test" application and select "Run ALL CMDTCs". Is DTCU3009:1B present in the PSCM?
1. Yes - proceed to Step 12.
2. No - repair is complete. If further diagnosis is necessary, refer to WSM, Section 211-02 > Diagnosis and Testing.
12. On Aviator vehicles, remove the wiring harness retainer from the ground G119 stud bolt in order to hold the bolt while tightening the nut in Step 14. (Figure 2)
Figure 2

13. Remove the right front wheel and tire. Refer to WSM, Section 204-04A > Removal and Installation > Wheel and Tire.
NOTE: Do not remove any paint from the body as the ground path conduction is through the bolt threads.
14. Install the new M6 nut on the existing fastener on ground G103 (Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility) or G119 (Aviator) on the passenger side shock tower. Tighten to
106 lb.in (12.0 Nm). (Figure 3)
Figure 3

15. Install the right front wheel and tire. Refer to WSM, Section 204-04A > Removal and Installation > Wheel and Tire.
16. On Aviator vehicles, install the wiring harness retainer on the ground G119 stud bolt.

© 2026 Ford Motor Company
All rights reserved.
NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that
a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford or Lincoln dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation
determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article. The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor
Company reserves the right to supersede this information with updates. The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.