NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The engine may fail, causing loss of driving power in certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles.
This page covers 11 recalls and EPA fuel economy for the 2026 Ford Explorer.
20–24 mpg combined
9.8–11.8 L/100km
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
The 2026 Ford Explorer has 11 recalls, the most serious involving engine and drivetrain problems that can cause a sudden loss of drive power while moving, and a cylinder head oil leak that raises the risk of an engine fire.
On the engine side, pistons can fail due to internal damage, and separately, oil can leak from the cylinder head onto hot engine or exhaust components. There is also a recall covering the trailer hitch assembly: loose mounting bolts can cause a tow vehicle to lose handling or allow a trailer to fully detach. Several recalls involve windshield integrity: on certain vehicles the windshield may not be properly bonded and can separate in a crash, and on others the glass may have visible air bubbles that reduce the driver's sightlines. Second-row outer seatbelt anchor bolts may also be loose, which can prevent the belt from properly restraining an occupant in a crash. On the visibility and climate side, the HVAC blower motor's ground connection may not be secured, causing the defroster and defogger to stop working and reducing forward visibility in cold or humid conditions. The adaptive headlight software can also send the passenger-side beam in the wrong direction through curves, increasing glare for oncoming drivers.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine may fail, causing loss of driving power in certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the engine long block at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electrical ground connection for the HVAC blower motor may not be properly secured, causing the defroster to stop working and preventing windshield defrosting or defogging.
What the fix does
A dealership will inspect and secure the ground connection(s) in the instrument panel as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The HVAC system may fail due to loose instrument panel joints, causing the defrost and defog functions to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the instrument panel joints as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine piston circlips may have been installed incorrectly during manufacturing, causing pistons to fail and damage the engine, resulting in loss of driving power.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or incorrectly installed circlips and replace the engine if necessary, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the seat belt anchors at the second-row outer seats may not be properly tightened, potentially allowing the seat belts to come loose.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten, repair, or replace the second-row outer seat belt anchor bolts as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Dynamic Bending Light system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn the wrong direction when driving through curves.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the headlight control module software, or the update will be sent wirelessly to your vehicle. The fix is free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield may not be properly bonded to the vehicle during manufacturing, which could cause it to detach during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove and replace the windshield at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield may not be securely attached and could separate from the vehicle during a crash.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to take your vehicle to a dealership, where technicians will reinstall the windshield.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The cylinder head may have been made improperly, causing the ball plugs inside to fail and leak oil.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the cylinder head assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield glass contains visible air bubbles that can block the driver's view through the windshield.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the windshield and replace it if necessary at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts that attach the trailer hitch assembly may become loose, which could cause the hitch to separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
