NHTSA (USA)
The official notice
This page covers 15 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 12 recalls, the most serious being loose trailer hitch bolts that can cause a tow vehicle to lose handling control or a trailer to fully detach, alongside engine defects that can cut drive power without warning or start an underhood fire.
Three separate engine concerns affect certain vehicles. A cylinder head defect can allow oil to leak onto hot engine or exhaust surfaces, raising the risk of fire. Separately, pistons with incorrectly installed circlips can fail internally, causing an abrupt loss of drive power. A broader engine failure issue across certain model years can also cause the engine to stop delivering power unexpectedly, leaving the driver unable to accelerate or maintain speed in traffic.
Two windshield recalls overlap in subject but differ in consequence. On some vehicles, the windshield glass contains visible air bubbles that can obstruct the driver's sightlines. On others, the windshield was not properly bonded during assembly and can separate from the vehicle in a crash, removing a key structural element and raising injury risk for occupants. These are treated as a single bonding issue in the filing history, but the visibility concern is a distinct defect.
Second-row outer seat belt anchor bolts may be loose on certain vehicles, meaning those belts may not hold an occupant properly in a crash.
On the visibility side, a software error in the adaptive headlight system can cause the passenger-side headlight to swing the wrong direction in curves, sending glare toward oncoming traffic instead of illuminating the road ahead. The HVAC system on some vehicles can also fail, disabling the windsh
The official notice
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Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026-2027 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
The remedy is currently under development. The owner notification schedule has not been provided. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S53.
The official notice
Defect
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.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners by mail. The corrective actions for this recall are under development.
The official notice
Defect
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. Interim letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. 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.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may prevent the pedestrian warning sound from operating at certain speeds in these hybrid vehicles.
What the fix does
For 28-speaker Nautilus Hybrid models, dealers will replace the digital signal processing module at no cost. Remedy for other models is under development.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine may fail, causing loss of driving power in certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles.
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.
