2026 Ford Explorer Interior & seats Problems

The contact owns a 2026 Ford Explorer. While the contact's wife was driving 45 MPH, an unknown warning light illuminated, and the hood latch independently released. The contact stated that the hood opened independently and fractured the front windshield. The contact stated that the front windshield was shattered. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 1,623.

NHTSA ID

11769843

Incident

Oct 6, 2026

Mileage

1,623 mi

- Driver seat back reclines by itself when vehicle is approached by key fob. As acknowledged by Ford, this situation could result in harm to a passenger sitting behind the driver. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. - This issue was demonstrated to several dealer service personnel as early as June 12, 2026, at which time there was no service recall or known fix available. A repair order dated August 28, 2026 indicates that seat was operating normally but that "easy exit" was turned on; service tech notes "easy exit" has been turned off. - We received a notice from Ford in late September 2026 that an open recall--26S53--has been issued. Took vehicle to dealer on September 30, 2026 and repair order states that they updated the driver seat module per the recall (Software validation #R47CF90GJUHMR. 26s53b-0.3). Issue continues after this update.

NHTSA ID

11768817

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

I was sold and delivered a car with an active safety recall for 2nd row seat easy entry. At the time of sale I was told the recall had been done. 2 days later the dealer called and said the recall had not been done and that the car had a do not sell or demonstrate destination. They wanted me to bring the car back to hold on the lot until parts become available. I would have never bought the car if I knew the recall had not been done. It’s now over 3 weeks and still waiting on parts. I feel the dealer just wanted the sale. I don’t see how this “mistake” happened. The dealer is telling me I have to bring the back to their dealership for the recall. I don’t trust them and want the recall done at another dealership.

NHTSA ID

11767505

Incident

Sep 5, 2026

Ford has issued a recall related to the driver seat recline memory feature. It is recall 26V470. The remedy (software-based) disables the driver seat recline memory feature altogether. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. Instead of correcting the issue with the recline memory feature, Ford has chosen to disable the feature completely. I did not purchase a new vehicle, just to have the manufacturer disable a standard feature than does not function properly. Ford must repair the standard feature and return the vehicle to it's normal operating function. The solution must not diminish the features and usability of the vehicle that was purchased.

NHTSA ID

11762884

Incident

Sep 8, 2026

When entering the vehicle with a key fob that is programmed for a saved seat setting for the driver, the chair back begins to recline all the way. This could crush a passenger seated behind them.

NHTSA ID

11759080

Incident

Jul 2, 2026

When using memory seat function and switching between driver profiles, the seat reclines too far back with no regard for the preset position. The height and forward adjustment is correct, but the recline function is not working correctly and it just keep reclining.

NHTSA ID

11759026

Incident

Aug 23, 2026

The driver's memory seat has a serious malfunction. Whenever I enter the vehicle or switch between memory presets, the driver's seat unexpectedly reclines completely backward. This also crushes anyone sitting in the rear driver's-side seat, making it essentially unusable until we can return the driver's seat to its upright position. Even more concerning, the seat can begin reclining while I am driving, creating an obvious safety hazard. I recently learned that Ford has issued a recall for this exact issue. However, my vehicle was somehow excluded from the recall despite exhibiting the very same defect. My local dealership acknowledged that my car does show the problem listed on the recall and attempted to repair it by replacing the seat back and seat motor. Unfortunately, the replacement parts Ford supplied had the exact same malfunction. The dealership now must order another set of parts and hope they function properly. What concerns me most is the safety aspect. I am continuing to drive a brand-new vehicle with a known defect that may cause the driver's seat to unexpectedly recline while the vehicle is in motion. That is not simply an inconvenience—it is a legitimate safety concern for me, my family, and others on the road.

NHTSA ID

11755498

Incident

Aug 7, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to make a left or right turn, the front passenger’s side seat was moving from side to side. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The contact was informed that that bolts were all connected. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact he would receive a call back within 24 hours. The approximate failure mileage was 2,600.

NHTSA ID

11745642

Incident

May 11, 2026

Mileage

2,600 mi