RoadVitals

2027 Ford Explorer

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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Latest Nov 2, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2027 Ford Explorer. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
26V726000

INTERIOR LIGHTING

Nov 2, 2026
33,578 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026-2027 Explorer Police Interceptor vehicles. A phantom "Global On" command in the overhead console may illuminate the map lights and prevent them from being turned off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 101, "Controls and Displays."
The risk: Overhead map lights that illuminate unintentionally and cannot be turned off may distract the driver or cause interior glare, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the overhead consoles on vehicles built prior to July 9, 2026. Dealers will inspect the overhead console for a "SW2" marking on vehicles built after July 9, 2026 and replace as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C50. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 6, 2026.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 26C50View on NHTSA.gov
26V470000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

Jul 21, 2026
76,748 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: Unexpected movement of the driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will disable the driver seat module (DSM) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S53.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 26S53View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM 55298

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STEERING

Some 2025-2027 Aviator/Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit a "Steering Fault Service Required" message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) C1B00, U2016, and/or U3000:96 set in the power steering control module (PSCM) after using the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) scan tool to reprogram the steering column control module (SCCM) and/or the gearshift module (GSM). To correct this condition, perform the following: <br /><br /> - To clear DTCs C1B00 and U2016, disconnect the 12-volt battery for 5 minutes, then reconnect the battery. On hybrid vehicles, the auxiliary battery must also be disconnected.<br /> - To clear DTC U3000:96, download and run the "PSCM - Reset the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM)" application using the latest software version of the FDRS scan tool.<br /> - If U211B is set in the PSCM, download and run the "Trusted Real-Time Operation Network (TRON) Module Authentication" application using the latest software version of the FDRS scan tool. When prompted, select the "TRON Diagnosis and Repair" option.<br /><br />

SSM 55303

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY/WIPER

Some 2025-2027 Aviator/Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit one of the front power windows stuck down or inoperative with a window regulator cable that has come off of the window regulator pulleys. The torque specification is being increased for the 2 upper window regulator nuts from 97 lb-in (11 Nm) to 115 lb-in (13 Nm). Use a torque wrench to apply the updated 115 lb-in (13 Nm) torque specification when installing a new front window regulator. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-11 is in the process of being updated to reflect this change.<br /><br /> Engineering is currently working on a permanent solution for this condition. If the vehicle exhibits this condition, submit a Vehicle Concern Report. To submit a report, click on the "Submit Global Concern Report (GCR)" link at the upper right of the Professional Technician System (PTS) Vehicle ID screen (vehicle identification number ÝVIN¨ required) and fill out the form. Do not use the "Report A Problem" link to submit a report for this condition.

SSM 55279

STRUCTURE:BODY

2025-2027 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility non-hybrid vehicles built on or after 05-Mar-2025 and 2025-2027 Aviator vehicles built on or after 24-Apr-2025 are no longer equipped with the passenger side underbody air deflector. The vehicle is not misbuilt. Do not submit a claim for this condition.

SSM 55256

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2024-2026 Nautilus and 2025-2027 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with power folding mirrors may exhibit concerns with the auto folding mirror functionality not matching the status selected by the switch in the center display screen menu. Examples include mirror auto folding not operating when the switch is enabled and/or auto folding continuing to function when the switch is disabled. This may be due to the software in the driver door module (DDM) and passenger door module (PDM). Power folding mirror operation from the physical button is not affected by this condition. Inform customers that engineering is currently working on a solution for this condition that is expected by the end of Q2 2027. Replacement or reprogramming of the accessory protocol interface module (APIM), DDM, or PDM will not resolve this condition. Monitor Professional Technician System (PTS) for additional information and schedule service appointments for customers once the repair becomes available.<br /><br /> If the vehicle exhibits this condition, submit a Vehicle Concern Report. To submit a report, click on the "Submit G

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Explorer by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027Viewing020—
20264415164.7
202511120165.8
20242110166.0
202311315164.8
202227624369.9
202145626369.2
20201,25433367.3
20193036161.1
20187367264.7
20171,70614264.6
20162,46715260.5
20151,8209566.2
20141,6847460.4
20132,23912661.8
20128317460.2
20111,1988461.9
20101152153.1
2009331045.6
20081483152.2
20072083152.1
20066304047.1
20054973254.7
20041,3044459.5
20031,1317359.9
20023,29510762.6
200137512265.6
200095215466.1
19991,34815665.4
19981,95914867.4
19971,73112666.6
19961,45011366.9
199584312666.2
19941,20771368.2
199393991468.0
199263371467.7
1991609111768.5
1990120247.9
1989101—
1988401—
1987301—
1986301—
1985100—
1984100—
1977200—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.