Recall 26V121000: 2025–2026 Ford Explorer

Report received

Mar 3, 2026

Manufacturer

Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected

35,772vehicles

Model years

2025–2026

Check your own vehicle. A recall applies only to vehicles within the affected build range. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

What NHTSA recorded

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 the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Possible consequence

A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C12. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.

Affected model years

Pages for each model year show complaints, parts, mileage and other recalls.

• 2025 Ford Explorer107 complaints
• 2026 Ford Explorer42 complaints