[pending] 2025 FORD EXPLORER
Pending LLM rewrite. Source: NHTSA 26V121000.
What this means for you
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: Pending LLM scoring against the rubric.
Plain-English summary
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."
A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
The recalled product
- Product
- 2025 FORD EXPLORER
- Brand
- FORD
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Affected units
- 35,772
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (1)
- EXPLORER
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same brand · FORD
- Severe2026 Ford Explorer and Mustang Engine Piston Circlip Defect Recall
NHTSA · 2028-07-03
- Severe2025–2026 Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick Occupant Sensor Recall
NHTSA · 2028-07-03
- High
- HighFord Vehicles Recalled for Integrated Trailer Module Software Defect
NHTSA · 2027-08-02
- High2026 Ford Maverick vehicles recalled for moonroof glass detachment risk
NHTSA · 2027-05-03
Same category
- Severe2026 Ford Explorer and Mustang Engine Piston Circlip Defect Recall
NHTSA · 2028-07-03
- Severe2025–2026 Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick Occupant Sensor Recall
NHTSA · 2028-07-03
- High2026 Mercedes-Benz and Maybach Models Rear Seat Belt Recall
NHTSA · 2028-05-05
- High2026-2027 Volvo VHD VN VNL VNR VAH trucks wheel lug nut detachment
NHTSA · 2028-04-05
- High2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid power moonroof glass panel detachment
NHTSA · 2028-04-05