# Recalls that may apply to the 2026 Ford Explorer A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups. ## United States (NHTSA), as of 2026-10-19 - [26V581000](/recalls/nhtsa/26V581000.md), 2026-09-09: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. 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. Built 2026\-08\-02 to 2026\-08\-02. - [26V548000](/recalls/nhtsa/26V548000.md), 2026-08-25: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL. 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. Built 2026\-02\-20 to 2026\-04\-18. - [26V532000](/recalls/nhtsa/26V532000.md), 2026-08-13: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL. 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. Built 2026\-02\-10 to 2026\-02\-17. - [26V470000](/recalls/nhtsa/26V470000.md), 2026-07-21: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST. 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. - [26V451000](/recalls/nhtsa/26V451000.md), 2026-07-14: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY. 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. Built to 2026\-06\-24. - [26V415000](/recalls/nhtsa/26V415000.md), 2026-06-30: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT; BACK OVER PREVENTION:WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT. Ford Motor Company \(Ford\) is recalling certain 2024\-2027 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid and 2025\-2027 Explorer Hybrid vehicles. A software error may prevent the vehicle from making the pedestrian warning sound at certain speeds. - [26V343000](/recalls/nhtsa/26V343000.md), 2026-05-27: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL. 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. Built to 2026\-05\-01. - [26V205000](/recalls/nhtsa/26V205000.md), 2026-03-31: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL. 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. Built 2026\-02\-17 to 2026\-02\-26. - [26V202000](/recalls/nhtsa/26V202000.md), 2026-03-31: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR. 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. Built 2025\-10\-19 to 2026\-01\-12. - [26V159000](/recalls/nhtsa/26V159000.md), 2026-03-17: SEAT BELTS. 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. Built to 2026\-01\-21. - [26V121000](/recalls/nhtsa/26V121000.md), 2026-03-03: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 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." Built to 2025\-11\-23. - [26V024000](/recalls/nhtsa/26V024000.md), 2026-01-21: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD. 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." Built 2025\-10\-19 to 2025\-10\-20. - [25V828000](/recalls/nhtsa/25V828000.md), 2025-12-01: ENGINE. 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. Built 2025\-11\-03 to 2025\-11\-12. - [25V730000](/recalls/nhtsa/25V730000.md), 2025-10-24: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD. 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." Built to 2025\-09\-05. - [25V687000](/recalls/nhtsa/25V687000.md), 2025-10-10: TRAILER HITCHES. Ford Motor Company \(Ford\) is recalling certain 2024\-2026 Explorer and 2024\-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose. ## Canada (Transport Canada), as of 2026-10-19 - [2026411](/recalls/tc/2026411.md), 2026-08-26: Engine. Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine pistons may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the pistons may crack and cause the engine to fail. If this happens, there could be a sudden loss of power to the wheels. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 1.5 L or 2.3 L engine. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine. - [2026340](/recalls/tc/2026340.md), 2026-07-14: Seats And Restraints. Issue: On certain vehicles, the driver's seat could recline on its own when using certain remote features including remote door unlocking, remote start and/or approaching the vehicle with the key fob. As a result, the second\-row passenger could become trapped between the seat and the seatback. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with memory seats. Safety Risk: A seat that reclines on its own could increase the risk of injury and/or entrapment. Corrective actions: Ford will notify owners by mail. The corrective actions for this recall are under development. - [2026339](/recalls/tc/2026339.md), 2026-07-14: Seats And Restraints. Issue: On certain vehicles the recall repairs completed by a Ford dealer during recall 25S67 \(Transport Canada recall no. 2025\-328\) may not be effective. As a result, a second repair is required. On certain vehicles, the trim for the seat fold switch on the second\-row outboard seats could become stuck. If this happens, the seat\(s\) could fold and/or move unexpectedly. Note: This recall replaces Transport Canada recall no. 2025\-328. Vehicles that were repaired under that recall also require this repair. Safety Risk: A seat that folds and/or moves could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Action: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the seat fold switch trim and housing for one with an improved design. - [2026258](/recalls/tc/2026258.md), 2026-05-27: Engine. Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the engine could fail and cause a loss of power to the wheels. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 2.3 L engine. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the engine. - [2026159](/recalls/tc/2026159.md), 2026-04-01: Heater And Defroster. Issue: On a small number of vehicles, the ground connection for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning \(HVAC\) blower motor may not have been secured properly. As a result, the defroster could stop working, and you may not be able to defog or defrost the windshield. Safety Risk: A windshield defroster/defogger that doesn't work could cause reduced visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, secure the ground connection\(s\) in the instrument panel. - [2026124](/recalls/tc/2026124.md), 2026-03-17: Seats And Restraints. Issue: On certain vehicles, the second\-row outboard seat belt anchor bolt\(s\) may be loose or missing. As a result, the seat belt\(s\) could detach in a crash. Safety Risk: A seat belt that detaches could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, install, tighten or replace seat belt anchor bolt\(s\). - [2026099](/recalls/tc/2026099.md), 2026-03-03: Lights And Instruments. Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the right headlamp to become incorrectly aimed when turning the steering wheel. As a result, the vehicles may not meet certain requirements of Canadian regulations. Note: This recall only affects the Platinum models equipped with the dynamic bending light feature. Safety Risk: A headlamp that isn't aimed correctly could cause glare for oncoming drivers and could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Action: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the headlamp control module software. - [2026019](/recalls/tc/2026019.md), 2026-01-21: Structure. Issue: On a small number of vehicles, the windshield may not be properly attached and could separate from the vehicle in a crash. Safety Risk: A windshield that detaches in a crash could create an increased risk of injury. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to reinstall the windshield. - [2025548](/recalls/tc/2025548.md), 2025-10-11: Structure. Issue: On certain vehicles, the trailer hitch bolts may not have been tightened properly. As a result, the bolts could loosen and the hitch could detach from the vehicle. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with the trailer tow package. Safety Risk: A trailer hitch and/or towed trailer that detaches from a vehicle could create a road hazard for others and/or create the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, tighten or replace the trailer hitch bolts. ## Check a VIN - [NHTSA recall lookup by VIN, United States](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) - [Transport Canada recall search, Canada](https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/menu.aspx?lang=eng) Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. JSON: [/v1/vehicles/2026_ford_explorer/recalls](/v1/vehicles/2026_ford_explorer/recalls) [Report an error on this page](https://github.com/wenmar-pro/wenmar-open/issues/new?template=data_correction.yml&title=Data%20correction%3A%202026%20Ford%20Explorer&page=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.wenmarpro.com%2Fmakes%2Fford%2Fexplorer%2F2026%2Frecalls&vehicle=2026%20Ford%20Explorer)