NHTSA recall 26V451000
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.
| Published by | NHTSA (United States) |
|---|---|
| Campaign number | 26V451000 |
| Manufacturer's number | 26S52 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Reported | 2026-07-14 |
| Owners notified | 2026-08-21 |
| Component | SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY |
| Units potentially affected | 387911 |
| Part numbers | LB5B-S67460-BD |
What is wrong
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.
What can happen
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
| 2020 FORD EXPLORER | Built from 2018-10-20. |
|---|---|
| 2021 FORD EXPLORER | |
| 2022 FORD EXPLORER | |
| 2023 FORD EXPLORER | |
| 2024 FORD EXPLORER | |
| 2025 FORD EXPLORER | |
| 2026 FORD EXPLORER | Built to 2026-06-24. |
| 2020 LINCOLN AVIATOR | Built from 2018-10-19. |
| 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR | |
| 2022 LINCOLN AVIATOR | |
| 2023 LINCOLN AVIATOR | |
| 2024 LINCOLN AVIATOR | |
| 2025 LINCOLN AVIATOR | |
| 2026 LINCOLN AVIATOR | |
| 2027 LINCOLN AVIATOR | Built to 2026-06-24. |
A vehicle with no link is not in this site's catalog, which covers cars, multipurpose vehicles and trucks by model year. The campaign is from data as of 2026-10-19.
Bulletins for the same vehicles and component
| SSM 55226 | 2026-10-12. Service bulletin. For 2020-2026 Aviator/Corsair and 2018-2026 Navigator vehicles, if diagnostics in Workshop Manual (WSM) Section 501-10A > Front Seats > Diagnosis and Testing lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion extension adjuster, a lower-level part is now available (14C720). It is not necessary to replace the front seat cushion extension adjuster if only the front seat cushion extension motor assembly is damaged. For Corsair, use service part LJ7Z-14C720-A. For Aviator, use service part R2TZ-14C720-A. For 2025-2026 Navigator (both sides) and 2018-2024 Navigator driver side, use service part NL7Z-14C720-A. For 2018-2024 Navigator passenger side, use service part NL7Z-14C720-B. |
|---|---|
| SSM 55100 | 2026-09-01. Service bulletin. For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover J-clips, lower-level service parts are now available. Use service part W709919-S901 if the J-clip is completely detached from the seat cover and W715386-S424 if the clip is still partially attached. It is not necessary to replace the seat cover if only the J-clip is separating from the cover. Refer to PTS Home > Technical Assistance > Technical Support Videos > Section 501- Body and Paint > Seat J-Clips. For claiming, use causal parts from list below and labor operations 63100A and 63100A5. Causal Parts for claiming: Bronco/Bronco Sport/Escape/Explorer/Expedition/Navigator: 7862900 or 7862901 F-150/F-Super Duty: 1562900 or 1562901 Ranger/Maverick: 6062900 or 6062901 |
| 25L01 | 2025-06-03. Other. Certain 2025 Model Year Aviator Reserve 200A Series Retail Ordered Vehicles - Rear Heated Seat Refund PROGRAM TERMS |
| SSM 52776 | 2024-08-16. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2025 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may have a concern where the second row outboard manual/power seats do not fold, exhibit excess effort to fold, or do not slide forward/backward easily. Power or manual second row seats must be pushed forward manually during easy entry function since the assist spring will reduce but not eliminate manual effort. Refer to the Owner's Manua |
| SSM 51720 | 2023-06-22. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may have a concern where the second row outboard manual/power seats do not fold, exhibit excess effort to fold, or do not slide forward/backward easily. Power or manual second row seats must be pushed forward manually during easy entry function since the assist spring will reduce but not eliminate manual effort. Refer to the Owner's Manual > Seats > Rear Seats > Adjusting the Second Row Rear Seats for further details. If the seats do not easily push forward manually, it maybe due to tension in the seat track due to uneven assembly torque. To correct these conditions, unbolt the second row seat frame from the floor to relax tension. Start the bolts by hand, then tighten in the correct sequence and torque per Workshop Manual (WSM) Section 501-10B. |
| SSM 51293 | 2023-01-31. Service bulletin. 2022-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with multi-contour front seats have driver seat control module G (SCMG) and passenger seat control module H (SCMH) seat modules available separately at a lower level service part from the seat back frame (5461018/7861018/7861019). If diagnosis determines that replacement of either multi-contour front seat module is required, it is not necessary to replace the complete seat back frame. Refer to the service part catalog for the correct front seat module part number (14F548/14F549) and Workshop Manual (WSM) Section 501-10A for replacement procedures. |
| TSB 22-2418 | 2022-12-02. Service bulletin. Some 2022 Aviator vehicles built on 19-Apr-2022 and through 11-Jul-2022 may exhibit the seat lumbar settings not populating in the center display screen. The customer may also indicate that the headrest moves the opposite way of the front seat control switch input and/or the front seat control switch hot keys are inoperative. This may be due an incompatibility between the seat switches, headrest, and software in the driver front seat module (DSM) and/or the passenger front seat module (SCMB). To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to verify the correct parts are installed in the vehicle and the software is correct. |
| SSM 51056 | 2022-09-01. Service bulletin. Some 2022 Aviator vehicles built on 19-Apr-2022 and through 11-Jul-2022 may exhibit the seat lumbar settings not populating in the center display screen. This may be due to software issue in the driver seat module (DSM) and/or passenger seat module (PSM) and/or incorrect seat switch part level. This condition does not affect vehicle durability and no additional diagnosis or service is required for this condition at this time. Inform customers that they can continue to drive the vehicle and engineering is currently working on a solution for this condition. Replacement or reprogramming of the DSM/PSM or seat switch replacement is not recommended in the interim. Monitor OASIS for additional information and schedule service appointments for customers once the repair becomes available. |
| SSM 50868 | 2022-06-29. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit a second row folding seat that is inoperative or requires excessive effort to fold. This may be due to tension built up within the seat and seat track that leads to more force required to manually fold the seat. To correct the condition, the second row seat frame will need to be unbolted from the floor and tightened in the correct sequence. Additionally, the sliding tracks of the seat should be inspected for proper alignment when tightening the bolts. It is important to note that the bolts should be started by hand before tightening to the correct torque. This sequence is outlined in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-10. The WSM has been updated to reflect the updated bolt installation procedure. |
| SSM 50817 | 2022-06-01. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit inoperative third row power seat folding. This may be due to the software in the power fold seat module (SCMJ). To correct the condition, connect a battery charger and reprogram the SCMJ using the latest software level of the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. After reprogramming the SCMJ, perform a manual re-learn procedure. With the engine running, tailgate open, and no objects in the third row seats, press and hold the both seat fold button for one minute until both seats completely fold and unfold. Refer to Owner's Manual for information. Verify that each seat operates correctly after the relearn procedure by pressing the left and then the right third row seat fold buttons. For claiming, use causal part 14F042 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual. |
A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.