2026 Ford Explorer recalls and problems

The 2026 Ford Explorer has 15 recalls and 44 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is electrical system.

Pictured: a 2025 model; the 2026 may differ in details. Photo: 2025 Ford Explorer by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How the 2026 compares

Lowest

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Lowest complaint count among 27 Explorer model years — 25th most. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are still growing.

15recalls

44complaints

3crashes

0fires

3injuries

2,600median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

15 recalls

Interior Lighting

Nov 2, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V726000 · 33,578 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026-2027 Explorer Police Interceptor vehicles. A phantom "Global On" command in the overhead console may illuminate the map lights and prevent them from being turned off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Risk: Overhead map lights that illuminate unintentionally and cannot be turned off may distract the driver or cause interior glare, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the overhead consoles on vehicles built prior to July 9, 2026. Dealers will inspect the overhead console for a "SW2" marking on vehicles built after July 9, 2026 and replace as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C50. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 6, 2026.

Air Bags

Sep 9, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V581000 · 7 vehicles

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.

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

Aug 25, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V548000 · 10,427 vehicles

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.

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

Aug 13, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V532000 · 6 vehicles

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.

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

Jul 21, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V470000 · 76,748 vehicles

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.

Risk: Unexpected movement of the driverâs 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

Jul 14, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V451000 · 387,917 vehicles

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.

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

May 27, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V343000 · 1,536 vehicles

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.

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.

Engine

Mar 31, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V205000 · 278 vehicles

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.

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.

Visibility

Mar 31, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V202000 · 55 vehicles

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.

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.

Seat Belts

Mar 17, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V159000 · 561 vehicles

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.

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

Mar 3, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V121000 · 35,772 vehicles

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."

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

Jan 21, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V024000 · 8 vehicles

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."

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

Dec 1, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V828000 · 6 vehicles

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.

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

Oct 24, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V730000 · 56,841 vehicles

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."

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

Oct 10, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V687000 · 1,412 vehicles

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.

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.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Unknown or other11

Forward Collision Avoidance4

Fuel System3

Lane Departure3

Power Train3

Service Brakes2

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

NHTSA investigations

Burn Injuries From Side Airbag Deployment

PE26008 · opened Nov 6, 2026 · open

Summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 8 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and 4 Early Warning Reporting âDeath and Injuryâ reports alleging burn injuries following side airbag deployment in model years 2021-2026 Ford Explorer vehicles. Consumers have described that during a crash involving deployment of the seat-mounted side airbag, they sustained burn injuries. Burn injuries have been reported for both drivers and front passengers and were typically diagnosed as second or third-degree burns requiring medical treatment. Some of the VOQs report injuries to law enforcement officers following side airbag deployments in Ford Explorer Police Interceptors. ODI has opened this PE to evaluate the scope, frequency, and potential safety-related consequences of the alleged defect. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

2026 vs. other Ford Explorer years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2026. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2026 Ford Explorer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns covering the 2026 Ford Explorer, the latest from Nov 2, 2026 (interior lighting). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Ford Explorer?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention electrical system (11), unknown or other (11), seats (7). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.