Ford Recalls 387,911 Explorers and Aviators for Seat Defect

Ford Motor Company is recalling 387,911 vehicles, including 227,520 Ford Explorers (2020-2026) and 160,391 Lincoln Aviators (2020-2027), due to a defect in the second-row easy-entry seat switches. The recall affects vehicles assembled between October 19, 2018, and June 24, 2026.

The defect involves a switch bezel for the tip-and-slide seat release that can become misaligned or stuck during regular use. If the switch fails to return to a fully latched position, seats may unlatch, tip, or slide unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion. This failure could alter an occupant's position relative to safety belts and crash structures during a collision, increasing the risk of injury.

This action expands a previous June 2025 recall. Ford converted a prior Field Service Action into a full recall after discovering that a supplier's attempt to remedy the installation process was unsuccessful. New reports of seat movement also emerged in vehicles built after the original cutoff and in some that had already received the previous repair.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identified the recall as 26S52. Ford will inspect and replace the switch bezel with a part featuring stronger retention force at no cost to owners. Owners will receive notification by mail in late July, with a follow-up letter regarding the remedy expected in January.