2026 Ford Explorer: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2026 Ford Explorer: 14 recalls, 39 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
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Recalls
14 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Trailer hitch Vehicle recall #25V687000 · 2025 · 1,412 vehicles
What's wrong: The trailer hitch assembly bolts May be loose.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #25V730000 · 2025 · 56,841 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 6, 2025.
Engine Vehicle recall #25V828000 · 2025 · 6 vehicles
What's wrong: The cylinder head May have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #26V024000 · 2026 · 8 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, windshield detachment can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will remove and replace the windshield, free charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2026.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #26V121000 · 2026 · 35,772 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #26V159000 · 2026 · 561 vehicles
What's wrong: The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions May be improperly secured.
Why it matters: A loose seat belt buckle May not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #26V205000 · 2026 · 278 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #26V202000 · 2026 · 55 vehicles
What's wrong: The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system May fail, which can cause the defrosting and defogging system to become inoperative.
Why it matters: An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system May decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and secure the instrument panel joints as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #26V343000 · 2026 · 1,536 vehicles
What's wrong: The engine May fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Why it matters: A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026.
Seats Vehicle recall #26V451000 · 2026 · 387,911 vehicles
What's wrong: The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats May bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Why it matters: A seat that moves unexpectedly May not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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…
Seats Vehicle recall #26V470000 · 2026 · 76,748 vehicles
What's wrong: An unoccupied driver's seat May recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.
Why it matters: Unexpected movement of the driverâs seat back May trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #26V532000 · 2026 · 6 vehicles
What's wrong: 3l engine. The engine connecting rod bearings May seize, which can result in engine failure.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the engine long blocks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 25, 2026.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #26V548000 · 2026 · 10,001 vehicles
What's wrong: The engine piston domes May have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
Why it matters: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #26V581000 · 2026 · 7 vehicles
What's wrong: The active vent on the passenger side May not open as intended, preventing the air bag from deploying properly.
Why it matters: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Other / unknown (10): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2), leaks (2).
- Electrical (9): the most common themes are electrical failure (3), noise or vibration (2).
- Seats (7): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (6): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3).
The 2026 Ford Explorer has 39 owner complaints, ranking #34 of 38 Explorer model years for complaints (well below the 909 average). Complaints peaked in 2026 (39 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 0 years old, at a median of 3,600 miles. Neighboring years: 2025 (102 complaints, 20 recalls), 2027 (0 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 10-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 10-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2026 Ford Explorer.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2026 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 14 vehicle recalls for the 2026 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2026 Ford Explorer problems?
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are other / unknown (10), electrical (9), seats (7).
What gas mileage does the 2026 Ford Explorer get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.3 L, Automatic 10-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2026 Ford Explorer repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.