2026 Ford Explorer problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Seats (7) · Visibility/Wiper (4) · Power Train (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Explorer model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (14)
Air Bags:frontal 2026-09-09 · campaign 26V581000 · 7 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/Mechanical 2026-08-25 · campaign 26V548000 · 10,001 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/Mechanical 2026-08-13 · campaign 26V532000 · 6 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust 2026-07-21 · campaign 26V470000 · 76,748 vehicles
Defect: 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 driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Seats:mid/Rear Assembly 2026-07-14 · campaign 26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles
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.
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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 1-866-436-7
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/Mechanical 2026-05-27 · campaign 26V343000 · 1,536 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:fan/Motor 2026-03-31 · campaign 26V202000 · 55 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/Mechanical 2026-03-31 · campaign 26V205000 · 278 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat Belts 2026-03-17 · campaign 26V159000 · 561 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2026-03-03 · campaign 26V121000 · 35,772 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield 2026-01-21 · campaign 26V024000 · 8 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Engine 2025-12-01 · campaign 25V828000 · 6 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield 2025-10-24 · campaign 25V730000 · 56,841 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Trailer Hitches 2025-10-10 · campaign 25V687000 · 1,412 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (56)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-24 · SSM 55279 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
2025-2027 explorer/police interceptor utility non-hybrid vehicles built on or after 05-mar-2025 and 2025-2027 aviator vehicles built on or after 24-apr-2025 are no longer equipped with the passenger side underbody air deflector. the vehicle is not misbuilt. do not submit a claim for this condition.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-16 · SSM 55256 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2024-2026 nautilus and 2025-2027 explorer/aviator vehicles equipped with power folding mirrors may exhibit concerns with the auto folding mirror functionality not matching the status selected by the switch in the center display screen menu. examples include mirror auto folding not operating whe
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-08 · SSM 55228 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020-2026 aviator/explorer/f-150/bronco/ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7l or 3.0l (non-diesel) engine may need the front engine cover removed and reinstalled for various reasons. the workshop manual (wsm), section 303-01 engine > removal and installation > engine front cover service procedur
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-06 · SSM 55220 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2024-2026 nautilus and 2025-2026 explorer/aviator/expedition/navigator vehicles may experience android auto connection or general bluetooth pairing concerns for both android and ios after an apim software update. this may be due to the apim software. to temporarily correct the issue:<br /><br /
Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-18 · SSM 55186 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2026 explorer vehicles may exhibit wind noise and/or water intrusion from the panoramic roof panel glass seal. inspection may find that the seal is rolled or separated from the glass. the seal is not serviceable separately from the glass. to correct this condition, replace the panoramic roof pa
Vehicle Speed Control 2026-08-27 · SSM 55131 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2025-2026 aviator/explorer/expedition/f-150/mustang mach-e/nautilus/navigator vehicles may exhibit the hands-free bluecruise feature intermittently/consistently unavailable when bluecruise is active and when traveling in a "blue zone". speed sign recognition may also be inaccurate. if there are
Showing the 6 most recent of 56 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-29 · Electrical System“i purchased a new 2026 ford explorer and had owned the vehicle for approximately three days when the driver-side front power window failed at approximately 315 miles. the failure occurred on the evening of october 23, 2026, while the vehicle was parked in my driveway. i operated the driver-side window normally and heard loud crunching/mechanical n…”
2026-10-29 · Electrical System“i purchased a brand-new 2026 ford explorer on xxx. approximately five weeks later, i experienced a terrifying and potentially life-threatening malfunction while traveling approximately 70 mph in the left lane of [xxx] in [xxx]. an 18-wheel tractor-trailer was traveling beside me when, without warning, my explorer suddenly stopped responding to the…”
2026-10-13 · Vehicle Speed Control“traveling of the freeway at 80 mph, pull left to pass semi, upon getting halfway past the truck the adaptive cruise control activates and brings the vehicle to under 65 mph extremely fast. after a few seconds the vehicle rapidly accelerates back to 80 mph. this has happened at least four times since purchasing the vehicle new. the problem is very e…”
2026-10-13 · Visibility/Wiper“rear liftgate window spontaneously shattered while sitting in my driveway. …”
2026-10-08 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:hood:latch · 1,623 mi“the contact owns a 2026 ford explorer. while the contact's wife was driving 45 mph, an unknown warning light illuminated, and the hood latch independently released. the contact stated that the hood opened independently and fractured the front windshield. the contact stated that the front windshield was shattered. the dealer was contacted and made a…”
2026-10-04 · Seats“- driver seat back reclines by itself when vehicle is approached by key fob. as acknowledged by ford, this situation could result in harm to a passenger sitting behind the driver. the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. - this issue was demonstrated to several dealer service personnel as early as june 12, 2026, at which time there was…”
2026-09-28 · Seats“i was sold and delivered a car with an active safety recall for 2nd row seat easy entry. at the time of sale i was told the recall had been done. 2 days later the dealer called and said the recall had not been done and that the car had a do not sell or demonstrate destination. they wanted me to bring the car back to hold on the lot until parts b…”
2026-09-26 · Unknown Or Other“vehicle would not accelerate, was shuddering and continued shuddering while stopped and parked.…”
2026-09-22 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“during a traffic accident the driver side seat airbag deployed. the airbag vent faces towards the driver when it deploys. the air escaping the vent burned through the shirt of the officer driving the vehicle and also caused a mixture of 2nd and 3rd degree burns to the hip and side abdomen region of their body.…”
2026-09-21 · Structure:body“the glass roof exploded while traveling down the road. no cause for failure present. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.