Model year 2026 · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2026 Ford Explorer: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2026 Ford Explorer at 19–24 mpg combined across 6 versions. NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls and 42 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as EXPLORER HYBRID.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Ford dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2026 Ford Explorer recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 15 safety recalls for the 2026 Ford Explorer, newest first.
Air bags: Frontal
NHTSA 26V581000 Reported Sep 9, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S65)
- Units affected
- 7 (estimate)
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Engine and engine cooling: Engine: Hard parts internal/mechanical
NHTSA 26V548000 Reported Aug 25, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S61)
- Units affected
- 10,001 (estimate)
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Engine and engine cooling: Engine: Hard parts internal/mechanical
NHTSA 26V532000 Reported Aug 13, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S58)
- Units affected
- 6 (estimate)
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Seats: Front assembly: Power adjust
NHTSA 26V470000 Reported Jul 21, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S53)
- Units affected
- 76,748 (estimate)
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Seats: Mid/rear assembly
NHTSA 26V451000 Reported Jul 14, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S52)
- Units affected
- 387,911 (estimate)
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Forward collision avoidance: Warnings: External/pedestrian alert and 1 more component
NHTSA 26V415000 Reported Jun 30, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S51)
- Components
- Forward collision avoidance: Warnings: External/pedestrian alert; Back over prevention: Warnings: External/pedestrian alert
- Units affected
- 66,383 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A vehicle that does not produce a warning sound may fail to alert pedestrians of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Note: This is an expansion of Recall 25V691. Any vehicles previously repaired under 25V691 must have the new remedy completed. Ford will release an over-the-air (OTA) update or dealers will update the APIM software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will replace the digital signal processing module in Nautilus Hybrid vehicles equipped with 28 speakers, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S51. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 7, 2026.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Engine and engine cooling: Engine: Hard parts internal/mechanical
NHTSA 26V343000 Reported May 27, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S35)
- Units affected
- 1,536 (estimate)
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Visibility: Defroster/defogger/HVAC system: Fan/motor
NHTSA 26V202000 Reported Mar 31, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S22)
- Units affected
- 55 (estimate)
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Engine and engine cooling: Engine: Hard parts internal/mechanical
NHTSA 26V205000 Reported Mar 31, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S23)
- Units affected
- 278 (estimate)
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Seat belts
NHTSA 26V159000 Reported Mar 17, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26C18)
- Units affected
- 561 (estimate)
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Exterior lighting: Headlights
NHTSA 26V121000 Reported Mar 3, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26C12)
- Units affected
- 35,772 (estimate)
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Visibility: Windshield
NHTSA 26V024000 Reported Jan 21, 2026
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26C02)
- Units affected
- 8 (estimate)
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Engine
NHTSA 25V828000 Reported Dec 1, 2025
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25SD3)
- Units affected
- 6 (estimate)
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Visibility: Windshield
NHTSA 25V730000 Reported Oct 24, 2025
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25C60)
- Units affected
- 56,841 (estimate)
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Trailer hitches
NHTSA 25V687000 Reported Oct 10, 2025
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25SA3)
- Units affected
- 1,412 (estimate)
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
2026 Ford Explorer fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2026 Ford Explorer crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
2026 Ford Explorer owner complaints
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026 Ford Explorer, most recently on Oct 13, 2026. 3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.
