2020-2026 Ford Explorer, 2020-2026 Lincoln Aviator recall: Improperly Secured Seat Belt Anchors
Report received by NHTSA: March 17, 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 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
- The risk
A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Who's affected
561 vehicles potentially affected, according to NHTSA. Models: 2020-2026 Ford Explorer, 2020-2026 Lincoln Aviator.
- 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
575 earlier NHTSA recalls by Ford Motor Company since Nov. 1, 2016; the 5 most recent:
- March 17, 2026 2020-2022 Ford F-250 SD, 2020-2022 Ford F-350 SD, 2020-2022 Ford F-450 SD and 3 more models recall: High Pressure Fuel Pump May Fail
- March 17, 2026 2025-2026 Ford Maverick recall: Moonroof Glass Panel May Detach
- March 17, 2026 2025-2026 Ford F-53, 2025-2026 Ford F-59 recall: Unintended Brake Light Illumination/FMVSS 108
- March 3, 2026 2021-2026 Ford Bronco, 2021-2024 Ford Edge recall: Rearview Camera Image May Not Display
- March 3, 2026 2020-2024 Ford Explorer, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2022 Ford Escape and 1 more model recall: Incorrectly Displayed Rearview Camera Image/FMVSS 111
Counted by the Tribune from NHTSA's records since Nov. 1, 2016.
- What to do and when
Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 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 2020-2026
- Lincoln Aviator 2020-2026
The record as NHTSA published it
| NHTSA recall number | 26V159000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Recall type | Vehicle |
| Component | SEAT BELTS |
| Report received by NHTSA | March 17, 2026 |
| Potentially affected | 561 vehicles |
| Manufacturer's recall number | 26C18 |
| “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