NHTSA Campaign 26V451000

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Issued by Ford Motor Company · Reported Jul 14, 2026 · 387,911 vehicles affected

What's wrong

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

Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. 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.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
FORD EXPLORER 2020 387,911
FORD EXPLORER 2021 387,911
FORD EXPLORER 2022 387,911
FORD EXPLORER 2023 387,911
FORD EXPLORER 2024 387,911
FORD EXPLORER 2025 387,911
FORD EXPLORER 2026 387,911
LINCOLN AVIATOR 2020 387,911
LINCOLN AVIATOR 2021 387,911
LINCOLN AVIATOR 2022 387,911
LINCOLN AVIATOR 2023 387,911
LINCOLN AVIATOR 2024 387,911
LINCOLN AVIATOR 2025 387,911
LINCOLN AVIATOR 2026 387,911
LINCOLN AVIATOR 2027 387,911

Source: NHTSA Campaign 26V451000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.