The Recall Desk

Vehicle

Ford Explorer · 2026

13 recalls affect this vehicle. Sorted by severity, then date.

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1–13 of 13

  • Severity pendingNHTSA·26V548000·2026-08-25

    Ford Recalls 2026 Vehicles for Engine Piston Dome Manufacturing Defect

    Ford is recalling 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles because incorrectly manufactured engine piston domes may fail, causing a loss of drive power.

    Product
    FORD — FORD EXPLORER, BRONCO SPORT, BRONCO, RANGER
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·26V532000·2026-08-13

    Ford Recalls 2026 Explorers Due to Engine Bearing Seizure Risk

    Ford is recalling 2026 Explorer vehicles with 2.3L engines because connecting rod bearings may seize, causing engine failure, power loss, or fire.

    Product
    FORD — FORD EXPLORER
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·26V451000·2026-07-14

    Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles recalled for seat unlatching risk

    Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles because the second-row seat switch may cause seats to move unexpectedly.

    Product
    LINCOLN — LINCOLN, FORD AVIATOR, EXPLORER
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·26V343000·2026-05-27

    Ford Explorer, Ranger and Bronco engines may fail during driving

    Ford is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger and Bronco vehicles because the engine may fail, resulting in a loss of drive power. 1,536 vehicles are affected.

    Product
    FORD — FORD BRONCO, RANGER, EXPLORER
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·26V205000·2026-03-31

    2026 Ford Explorer and Mustang Engine Piston Circlip Defect Recall

    Ford is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles because engine piston circlips may have been incorrectly installed, risking loss of drive power and increasing crash risk.

    Product
    FORD — FORD EXPLORER, MUSTANG
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·26V159000·2026-03-17

    Ford Explorer second-row seat belt anchor bolts may be improperly secured

    Ford is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles because the seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.

    Product
    LINCOLN — LINCOLN, FORD AVIATOR, EXPLORER
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·26V024000·2026-01-21

    Ford Recalls 2026 Explorers for Windshield Bonding Defect

    Ford is recalling 2026 Explorer vehicles because the windshield may not be properly bonded, posing an injury risk in a crash.

    Product
    FORD — FORD EXPLORER
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·25V828000·2025-12-01

    Ford Recalls 2025 Maverick for Cylinder Head Manufacturing Defect

    Ford is recalling 2025 Maverick vehicles with defectively manufactured cylinder heads that can leak oil. The leak increases the risk of fire and engine failure.

    Product
    FORD — FORD, LINCOLN EXPLORER, MUSTANG, MAVERICK, CORSAIR
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·25V687000·2025-10-10

    Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator recalled over loose trailer hitch bolts

    Ford is recalling 1,412 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles because the trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose, risking loss of control or trailer detachment while towing.

    Product
    FORD — FORD, LINCOLN EXPLORER, AVIATOR
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·26V470000·2026-07-21

    Ford Recalls 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator for Seat Recline Issue

    Ford is recalling 76,748 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles because an unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally, potentially trapping a second-row occupant.

    Product
    LINCOLN — LINCOLN, FORD AVIATOR, EXPLORER
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·26V202000·2026-03-31

    Ford Recalls 2026 Explorer and Aviator for HVAC Defrost Failure

    Ford is recalling 2026 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles because the HVAC system may fail, causing the windshield defrosting and defogging systems to become inoperative.

    Product
    FORD — FORD, LINCOLN EXPLORER, AVIATOR
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·25V730000·2025-10-24

    Ford and Lincoln windshields may have visible air bubbles

    Ford is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles because the windshield glass may have visible air bubbles that obscure the driver's visibility.

    Product
    FORD — FORD, LINCOLN EXPLORER, AVIATOR, CORSAIR
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide

Wider context for this vehicle

Beyond the official recalls above. These are third-party figures derived from NHTSA complaint data — useful signal, but not part of our verified recall record.

Federal investigations — 2 open

  • EA26004 Engineering Analysis · open · engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys
  • PE25020 Preliminary Evaluation · engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys
  • DP25001 Defect Petition · structure:frame and members:underbody shields
  • RQ24014 Recall Query · electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery
  • PE24019 Preliminary Evaluation · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
  • PE24014 Preliminary Evaluation · open · fuel system, diesel

Complaint clusters with no matching recall

  • 2016 · steering 527 complaints, median 58,000 mi
  • 2014 · steering 496 complaints, median 90,000 mi
    Includes 1 alleging a death and 2 alleging a fire. Unverified owner allegations from complaint filings — not confirmed by any agency.
  • 2020 · powertrain 456 complaints, median 44,000 mi
  • 2015 · steering 345 complaints, median 60,980 mi
  • 2006 · powertrain 279 complaints, median 64,303 mi
    Includes 2 alleging a fire. Unverified owner allegations from complaint filings — not confirmed by any agency.

Technical service bulletins

1,005 manufacturer service bulletins across 22 model years. A TSB is repair guidance to dealers, not a safety recall.

Third-party reliability score

  • 2026: 3.7/5
  • 2025: 1.9/5 · 95 complaints · most complained-of: electrical
  • 2024: 3.3/5 · 19 complaints · most complained-of: visibility
  • 2023: 2.4/5 · 106 complaints · most complained-of: steering
  • 2022: 1.3/5 · 258 complaints · most complained-of: powertrain

This is ProblemsByVin’s own published heuristic (1 worst – 5 best), not an official rating and unrelated to our severity scale.

Data on this panel comes from ProblemsByVin, derived from US NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, and licensed CC BY 4.0. It is not published by a federal agency and is not part of our verified recall record.

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