Model year
2026 Ford Explorer
NHTSA lists 14 recalls and 42 complaints for the 2026 Ford Explorer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 1 recall and 0 complaints under EXPLORER HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are UNKNOWN OR OTHER (11), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (8), SEATS (7). NHTSA rated 4 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 19–24 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,800–$3,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 952 complaints
- 2001 375 complaints
- 2002 3,295 complaints
- 2003 1,131 complaints
- 2004 1,304 complaints
- 2005 497 complaints
- 2006 630 complaints
- 2007 208 complaints
- 2008 148 complaints
- 2009 33 complaints
- 2010 115 complaints
- 2011 1,197 complaints
- 2012 829 complaints
- 2013 2,237 complaints
- 2014 1,684 complaints
- 2015 1,810 complaints
- 2016 2,462 complaints
- 2017 1,703 complaints
- 2018 734 complaints
- 2019 299 complaints
- 2020 1,241 complaints
- 2021 447 complaints
- 2022 271 complaints
- 2023 111 complaints
- 2024 21 complaints
- 2025 107 complaints
- 2026 42 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
26V581000 · Sep 9, 2026
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
26V548000 · Aug 25, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
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.
26V532000 · Aug 13, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
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.
26V470000 · Jul 21, 2026
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
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.
26V451000 · Jul 14, 2026
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
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.
26V343000 · May 27, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
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.
26V205000 · Mar 31, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
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.
26V202000 · Mar 31, 2026
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
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.
26V159000 · Mar 17, 2026
SEAT BELTS
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.
26V121000 · Mar 3, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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…
4 more recalls are in the NHTSA file for this name and are not listed here. Campaign numbers above link to NHTSA.
Complaints
42 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 3, fire flag on 0, injury field 3, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER HYBRID | 1 | 0 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAS SUV N/A 4WD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.151 | NHTSA photo |
| GAS SUV N/A RWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.147 | NHTSA photo |
| HEV SUV HEV 4WD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.151 | NHTSA photo |
| HEV SUV HEV RWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.147 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer RWD · 3L · Automatic (S10) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Explorer RWD · 2.3L · Automatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 29 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Explorer AWD · 3L · Automatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Explorer AWD · 2.3L · Automatic 10-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Explorer Tremor AWD · 2.3L · Automatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 23 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Explorer Tremor AWD · 3L · Automatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 22 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2026 Ford Explorer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.