Recall campaigns by affected system, 2016–2024.
Showing the 12 most recent of 68 campaigns, newest first, from NHTSA records. Check a specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
26V448000NHTSA report received July 2026Model years: 2016–2019
NHTSA campaign 26V448000: Ford Explorer structure recall
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge.
26V451000NHTSA report received July 2026Model years: 2020–2024
NHTSA campaign 26V451000: Ford Explorer seats recall
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.
Consequence: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge.
26V402000NHTSA report received June 2026Model years: 2020–2021
NHTSA campaign 26V402000: Ford Explorer power train recall
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Consequence: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge.
26V371000NHTSA report received June 2026Model years: 2024
NHTSA campaign 26V371000: Ford Explorer power train recall
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
Consequence: A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will inspect for park system damage and replace the park system components as necessary, free of charge.
26V159000NHTSA report received March 2026Model years: 2020–2024
NHTSA campaign 26V159000: Ford Explorer seat belts recall
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.
Consequence: A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge.
26V117000NHTSA report received March 2026Model years: 2020–2022
NHTSA campaign 26V117000: Ford Explorer visibility recall
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
Consequence: Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge.
26V123000NHTSA report received March 2026Model years: 2020–2024
NHTSA campaign 26V123000: Ford Explorer back over prevention recall
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge.
26V101000NHTSA report received February 2026Model years: 2017–2019
NHTSA campaign 26V101000: Ford Explorer suspension recall
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
Consequence: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge.
26V012000NHTSA report received January 2026Model years: 2019, 2024
NHTSA campaign 26V012000: Ford Explorer equipment recall
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied.
25V685000NHTSA report received October 2025Model years: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
NHTSA campaign 25V685000: Ford Explorer equipment recall
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied.
25V687000NHTSA report received October 2025Model years: 2024
NHTSA campaign 25V687000: Ford Explorer trailer hitches recall
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
Consequence: 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 per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge.
25V455000NHTSA report received July 2025Model years: 2021–2023
NHTSA campaign 25V455000: Ford Explorer fuel system recall
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge.
The same full inspection at every tier, at the seller’s location, with a photo-documented report:
Other midsize and three-row SUVs to weigh against the Ford Explorer. Recall counts cover different model-year spans and are not a reliability ranking.
How many recalls does the Ford Explorer have?
As of NHTSA records retrieved 2026-08-27, NHTSA lists 68 recall campaigns for the Ford Explorer, model years 2016–2024. A recall applies to specific VIN ranges, variants, trims or build dates, so a particular vehicle may be affected by all, some, or none of them, and a campaign count is not a reliability ranking. Whether an open recall is a safety risk depends on the campaign, so read the NHTSA entry for the VIN. Each campaign below shows the remedy NHTSA records, which may be a dealer or service-center repair, an over-the-air software update, or, for some campaigns, a repurchase. This page details the most recent campaigns; the full record for any VIN is at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What should an inspector check on a used Ford Explorer?
Beyond the standard pre-purchase checks, the recall history for this model concentrates in: power train, back over prevention, suspension, seats, fuel system, structure. An inspector documents the visible and operational condition of those systems without disassembly; internal parts, software-only issues and whether a recall remedy was performed are VIN-lookup questions, not inspection findings.
Can a pre-purchase inspection tell me whether a Ford Explorer recall was done?
No. Whether a recall repair was performed is recorded against the VIN, so NHTSA's lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls (or the manufacturer's own) is the authoritative check. Run it before you travel. The inspection covers what a VIN lookup cannot: the physical condition of the vehicle in front of you.
Can you inspect a Ford Explorer at a dealer, a private seller, or out of state?
Yes. The inspector usually travels to the vehicle at the seller's location — a dealer lot or a private seller — and you do not need to be there. Vehicle Inspectors dispatches an independent inspector within 50 miles of any US ZIP code, widening to 150 miles if needed; more remote locations are quoted case by case. You get a photo-documented PDF report in 24–48 hours.
How much does a Ford Explorer pre-purchase inspection cost?
A pre-purchase inspection of a Ford Explorer through Vehicle Inspectors: Bronze $249 · Silver $349 · Gold $449. Your card is saved at booking, not charged. A hold is placed when an inspector schedules, and you are charged after the inspection is completed. If no inspector accepts within 72 hours, the request auto-cancels and nothing is charged.
Vehicle Inspectors matches buyers with independent inspectors nationwide. Local pages for cities with active inspectors:
