2026 Ford Explorer recall: Passenger Air Bag May Deploy Improperly
Report received by NHTSA: Sept. 9, 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 2026 Explorer vehicles. The active vent on the passenger side may not open as intended, preventing the air bag from deploying properly.
- The risk
An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
- Who's affected
7 vehicles potentially affected, according to NHTSA. Models: 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
626 earlier NHTSA recalls by Ford Motor Company since Nov. 1, 2016; the 5 most recent:
- Sept. 9, 2026 2026 Ford Bronco recall: Bracket May Tear Side Curtain Air Bag
- Sept. 9, 2026 2026-2027 Ford Transit recall: Wireless Seat belt Reminder Malfunction
- Sept. 9, 2026 2023-2027 Ford F-150 recall: Fuel Tank May Leak or Detach
- Sept. 9, 2026 2026 Ford F-150 recall: Loose Rear Suspension Stabilizer Rod
- Sept. 9, 2026 2026 Ford F-150 recall: Loss of Drive Power from Incorrect Rear Axle Tail Bearing
Counted by the Tribune from NHTSA's records since Nov. 1, 2016.
- What to do and when
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S65. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 14, 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 2026
The record as NHTSA published it
| NHTSA recall number | 26V581000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Recall type | Vehicle |
| Component | AIR BAGS |
| Report received by NHTSA | Sept. 9, 2026 |
| Potentially affected | 7 vehicles |
| Manufacturer's recall number | 26S65 |
| “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