Safety RecallNHTSA 26V-470000

Ford Explorer Seat Recall1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 · Free Repair

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.

NHTSA 26V-470000Federal campaign #
1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 ExplorerAffected model years
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUSTSystem
$0 · FreeParts & labor

Is Your Explorer Included?

Enter your 17-character VIN — we query NHTSA in real time and show whether 26V-470000 (and any other open campaign) applies to your exact vehicle.

What Happened — and How It's Fixed

The 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.

The Risk

Unexpected movement of the driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

The Free 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. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed August 31, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S53.

Verified as of 2026-08-28 against NHTSA · Recall 26V-470000 on NHTSA.gov

The 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.

The Risk

A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The Free 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 1-866-436-7332. 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.

Verified as of 2026-08-28 against NHTSA · Recall 26V-451000 on NHTSA.gov

The Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.

The Risk

A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

The Free Fix

Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.

Verified as of 2026-08-28 against NHTSA · Recall 25V-393000 on NHTSA.gov

The Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with power front seats. The seat frames may have sharp edges.

The Risk

Occupants my contact the sharp edges when reaching between the power front seat and center console, increasing their risk of injury.

The Free Fix

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective tape on the exposed inside edge and tab of the power seat frames, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S29.

Verified as of 2026-08-28 against NHTSA · Recall 19V-651000 on NHTSA.gov

The Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 F-150 and Explorer vehicles. Loose power seat adjuster pivot bolts may cause the front seat cushions to detach and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash.

The Risk

In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.

The Free Fix

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tightness of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt, either applying threadlocker or replacing the lift link and hardware, free of charge. Interim letters are expected to go out January 15, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S40.

Verified as of 2026-08-28 against NHTSA · Recall 17V-767000 on NHTSA.gov

The Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat. The seat back frame may have insufficient welds which may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

The Risk

The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The Free Fix

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall begin on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 16C11.

Verified as of 2026-08-28 against NHTSA · Recall 16V-475000 on NHTSA.gov

The Defect

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 EXPLORER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 15, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 13, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SECOND ROW 60% SEATS WITH MANUAL RECLINER MECHANISMS THAT MAY HAVE COMPONENTS THAT ARE OUT OF DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATION. THESE SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."

The Risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK MAY NOT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED STRENGTH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

The Free Fix

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Verified as of 2026-08-28 against NHTSA · Recall 11V-063000 on NHTSA.gov

The Defect

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD RESTRAINT." THE RECLINER GEAR PLATE TEETH MAY BE OUT OF DIMENSION SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN LIMITED PAWL TO GEAR PLATE TOOTH ENGAGEMENT.

The Risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATBACK AND HEAD RESTRAINT MAY MOVE REARWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

The Free Fix

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL RECLINERS FOR BOTH POWER AND MANUAL SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Verified as of 2026-08-28 against NHTSA · Recall 10V-161000 on NHTSA.gov

The Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS, THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT, THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, COULD FRACTURE. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.

The Risk

THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The Free Fix

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT UPPER BOLT WITH A METAL SPACER AND BOLT. IN ADDITION, SEATS WITH TUBULAR BACK FRAMES WILL HAVE THE FULLY THREADED LOWER RECLINER BOLT REPLACED WITH A PARTIALLY THREADED BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Verified as of 2026-08-28 against NHTSA · Recall 03V-281000 on NHTSA.gov

What To Do

Run your VIN

Confirm 26V-470000 applies to your exact Explorer using the checker above.

Schedule the free repair

Book online or call .

Free, by law

Recall parts and labor are free regardless of age, mileage, or where you bought it.

Keep the paperwork

We provide written proof of completion — useful at resale.

Seat Recall FAQs

Is it safe to drive my Explorer before the seat recall repair?

NHTSA issued no park-outside or do-not-drive advisory for any of the 9 campaigns on this page. Schedule the free repair promptly — until it is completed, the defects described above are still present on affected Explorer vehicles.

Which vehicles are affected?

Campaign 26V-470000 covers certain 2025–2027 Ford Explorer vehicles. Model year alone does not settle it — run your VIN in the checker above, which is the definitive answer for your exact vehicle.

What does the repair cost?

Nothing. By federal law, safety recall repairs are free — parts and labor — at any authorized Ford dealer, regardless of the vehicle’s age, mileage, or where it was bought.

I’m buying a used Explorer. Should I check this recall?

Yes — run the VIN before you buy. If campaign 26V-470000 is still open on that vehicle, any authorized Ford dealer (including us) completes the repair free of charge, no matter where the vehicle was purchased.

26V-470000 Open on Your Explorer? Fix It Free.