My VIN was never listed as a recall in the NHTSA. Perhaps that is why they keep them stuck in "production" at the factory and don't say "built" until the 360 is updated and fixed?
Correct. I believe only builds with pre-recall/pre-stop sale (so, pre-May-ish) blend dates will have the recall show up on NHTSA’s VIN tracker. If the build has a post-recall/post-stop sale (so, post May-ish) blend date like mine and yours in July, then it doesn’t have the recall on it… because I’m assuming they built it without the faulty 360 camera equipment but didn’t have the new cameras yet so - as you’re suggesting, those Explorers have been “stuck in production” as you said, or as I call it - purgatory… or some days I call it Hell.
So:
There are pre-recall Explorers on the dealer lots that are in purgatory. I haven’t heard of any of these being repaired just yet. The NHTSA Recall VIN Tracker will show these models are recalled.
There are pre-recall factory builds that are still at the factory in purgatory. The NHTSA Recall VIN Tracker will show these models are recalled as well, because they were built with the faulty camera system. A FEW of these appear to be moving out with the new cameras, on lots, available for sale - and so those few models should no longer display a recall on their VIN.
There are post-recall factory builds that are still at the factory in purgatory. The NHTSA Recall VIN Tracker will NOT show these models are recalled, as they technically are not faulty, but they are incomplete as they currently have NO 360 camera system at all (faulty or new). I haven’t seen these moving yet, maybe because they are installing the new cameras on factory builds by order of build date.
There are post-recall factory builds that are being built with the 360 camera delete credit option (started sometime in August) that are NOT in purgatory and are already shipping out and on lots. These seem to be able to be ordered, built, and shipped out in under a month. Which is crazy, and likely corroborates that the ONLY reason any of us have been waiting so long is this camera issue… which Ford refuses to specify or acknowledge as the cause for this delay. The 360 delete credit is $500 (in my area, anyway) and it is paired with a reverse brake assist credit of $150.
And there are those who already owned and drove their Explorers before the recall went live in May, and communication to them about the camera repair is scheduled to be mailed out in late November, which MIGHT indicate that they are trying to fix all the new builds to get them sold and off the books before moving on to current owners bringing in their cars for repair. But that’s just my deduction.
All of this is a lot!! And I could be wrong about any number of things. But those are my deductions thus far.
Because my build date (7/24) is presumably towards the end of the queue as far as the camera fix is concerned (even though I placed my order in March and have been waiting almost six months), I will be looking for ST’s hitting lots with a similar spec sheet as mine, even if I have to spend a little more. I’m not trying to wait 3-5 more months. I guess I will if it’s the only option, but with things beginning to move now, I think I’ll have one soon one way or the other.