2026 Ford Explorer recalls

14 safety recalls, 44 owner complaints and a 5-star NHTSA crash rating. Official NHTSA data.

14Recalls
44Complaints
3Crashes & fires reported
5/5NHTSA overall rating

Not every 2026 Ford Explorer is affected by every recall. Check your VIN to see open recalls on your exact vehicle.

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2026 Ford Explorer recall list

Air Bags recall

26V-581
September 9, 2026 · Ford Motor Company
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. The active vent on the passenger side may not open as intended, preventing the air bag from deploying properly.
Safety risk
An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S65. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 14, 2026.

Engine and Engine Cooling recall

26V-548
August 25, 2026 · Ford Motor Company
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
Safety risk
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 28, 2026.

Engine and Engine Cooling recall

26V-532
August 13, 2026 · Ford Motor Company
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine. The engine connecting rod bearings may seize, which can result in engine failure.
Safety risk
Engine failure can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing oil to leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the engine long blocks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S58. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 18, 2026.

Seats recall

26V-470
July 21, 2026 · Ford Motor Company
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.
Safety risk
Unexpected movement of the driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will disable the driver seat module (DSM) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S53.

Seats recall

26V-451
July 15, 2026 · Ford Motor Company
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Safety risk
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.

Engine and Engine Cooling recall

26V-343
May 27, 2026 · Ford Motor Company
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Safety risk
A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S35. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 28, 2026.

Visibility recall

26V-202
March 31, 2026 · Ford Motor Company
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system may fail, which can cause the defrosting and defogging system to become inoperative.
Safety risk
An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and secure the instrument panel joints as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S22. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 3, 2026.

Engine and Engine Cooling recall

26V-205
March 31, 2026 · Ford Motor Company
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles. The engine piston circlips may have been incorrectly installed during manufacturing, which can result in piston failure and engine damage, leading to a loss of drive power.
Safety risk
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or mis-installed circlips and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S23. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.

Seat Belts recall

26V-159
March 17, 2026 · Ford Motor Company
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Safety risk
A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.

Exterior Lighting recall

26V-121
March 3, 2026 · Ford Motor Company
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer vehicles. The Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn in the wrong direction when driving through curves in the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Safety risk
A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The headlight control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C12. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.

Visibility recall

26V-024
January 21, 2026 · Ford Motor Company
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Safety risk
In the event of a crash, windshield detachment can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will remove and replace the windshield, free charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C02. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 22, 2026.

Engine recall

25V-828
December 2, 2025 · Ford Motor Company
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
Safety risk
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a fire. In addition, the loss of oil can result in engine seizure and loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still within dealership inventory and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 24, 2025.

Visibility recall

25V-730
October 24, 2025 · Ford Motor Company
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."
Safety risk
Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C60. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 27, 2025.

Trailer Hitches recall

25V-687
October 10, 2025 · Ford Motor Company
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
Safety risk
While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

2026 Ford Explorer owner complaints

44 complaints filed with NHTSA, including 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries and 0 deaths.

Problems by component

Electrical System11
Unknown or Other11
Seats7
Engine6
Visibility/Wiper5
Forward Collision Avoidance4
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Power Train3
Lane Departure3
Vehicle Speed Control2

Recent complaints

October 29, 2026Electrical System

I purchased a new 2026 Ford Explorer and had owned the vehicle for approximately three days when the driver-side front power window failed at approximately 315 miles. The failure occurred on the evening of October 23, 2026, while the vehicle was parked in my driveway. I operated the driver-side window normally and heard loud crunching/mechanical noises from inside the driver door as the window went down. The glass went fully down and then would not raise. When I attempted to operate the window switch afterward, additional crunching noises could be heard from inside the door, but the glass would not move. Because the Ford service department was already closed, I was unable to have the vehicle

October 29, 2026Electrical System

I purchased a brand-new 2026 Ford Explorer on XXX. Approximately five weeks later, I experienced a terrifying and potentially life-threatening malfunction while traveling approximately 70 mph in the left lane of [XXX] in [XXX]. An 18-wheel tractor-trailer was traveling beside me when, without warning, my Explorer suddenly stopped responding to the accelerator. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. The engine continued running, but the vehicle would no longer accelerate. I was unable to maintain my speed or immediately move into the adjacent lane because of the 18-wheeler. As my vehicle slowed, I struggled to maneuver across traffic toward the right shoulder. Looking in my rea

October 13, 2026Unknown or OtherVisibility/Wiper

Rear liftgate window spontaneously shattered while sitting in my driveway.

October 13, 2026Vehicle Speed ControlForward Collision Avoidance

Traveling of the freeway at 80 mph, pull left to pass Semi, upon getting halfway past the truck the adaptive cruise Control activates and brings the vehicle to under 65 mph extremely fast. After a few seconds the vehicle rapidly accelerates back to 80 mph. This has happened at least four times since purchasing the vehicle new. The problem is very erratic and only happens when passing a Semi while driving up a hill or passing on a left turning bend on the freeway. The incident that disturbed me the most was when this malfunction happened the last time a vehicle following me had to take to the borrow pit to prevent collision with my vehicle. Fortunately there was no accident or injuries that o

October 8, 2026Latches/Locks/Linkages

The contact owns a 2026 Ford Explorer. While the contact's wife was driving 45 MPH, an unknown warning light illuminated, and the hood latch independently released. The contact stated that the hood opened independently and fractured the front windshield. The contact stated that the front windshield was shattered. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 1,623.

2026 Ford Explorer crash test ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2026 FORD EXPLORER GAS SUV N/A 4WD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
2026 FORD EXPLORER GAS SUV N/A RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Driver aids on the tested 2026 Ford Explorer: electronic stability control standard, forward collision warning no, lane departure warning no. Rollover risk: 15.1%.

2026 Ford Explorer recall FAQ

Does the 2026 Ford Explorer have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls for the 2026 Ford Explorer. The most recent, filed September 9, 2026, concerns the air bags.

What are the most common 2026 Ford Explorer problems?

Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported area is electrical system (11 reports), followed by unknown or other.

Is the 2026 Ford Explorer safe?

The 2026 Ford Explorer earned up to a 5-star overall safety rating in NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program crash tests.

How do I get a recall fixed on my 2026 Ford Explorer?

Contact any authorized Ford dealer. Recall repairs are free, even if you are not the original owner or the warranty has expired.