2025-2026 Ford Explorer recall: Passenger-Side Headlight Malfunction/FMVSS 108
Report received by NHTSA: March 3, 2026.
Built by the Tribune's code from NHTSA's official records. No AI wrote this page. Updated Nov. 4, 2026.
- What's recalled
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."
- The risk
A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Who's affected
35,772 vehicles potentially affected, according to NHTSA. Models: 2025-2026 Ford Explorer.
- Compared with
Ford Motor Company has 84 NHTSA recalls in 2026 so far, compared with 153 in all of 2025.
Counted by the Tribune from NHTSA's records since Nov. 1, 2016.
- Before this
568 earlier NHTSA recalls by Ford Motor Company since Nov. 1, 2016; the 5 most recent:
- March 3, 2026 2026 Lincoln Navigator recall: Driver's Seat May Move Unexpectedly
- March 3, 2026 2025-2026 Ford F-250 SD, 2025-2026 Ford F-350 SD recall: Driveshaft May Separate
- March 3, 2026 2026-2027 Ford E-350, 2026-2027 Ford E-450 recall: Backup Alarm Sound Failure
- March 3, 2026 2020-2022 Ford Escape, 2020-2022 Ford Explorer, 2020-2022 Lincoln Aviator and 1 more model recall: Windshield Wipers May Fail
- Feb. 20, 2026 2022-2027 Ford Expedition, 2021-2026 Ford F-150, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator and 8 more models recall: Trailer Lighting and Brakes May Not Function/FMVSS 108
Counted by the Tribune from NHTSA's records since Nov. 1, 2016.
- What to do and when
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.
NHTSA's record, word for word
- Check it yourself
NHTSA's VIN lookup shows whether a specific vehicle has an open recall.
Models in this recall
- Ford Explorer 2025-2026
The record as NHTSA published it
| NHTSA recall number | 26V121000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Recall type | Vehicle |
| Component | EXTERIOR LIGHTING |
| Report received by NHTSA | March 3, 2026 |
| Potentially affected | 35,772 vehicles |
| Manufacturer's recall number | 26C12 |
| “Do not drive” warning | No |
| Fire risk when parked (“park outside”) | No |
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall records (public domain). NHTSA's record