Dearborn, MI – September 24, 2026 – Ford (NYSE:F) has issued a recall of 288,314 2016-2019 Ford Explorer SUVs whose roof rail covers may detach and land on the road while driving.

The recall is related to one conducted for the same issue back in 2021.

Recall summary  

Roof rail covers protect roof rails that are used to hold cargo – such as a surfboard – on top of the car. In the affected vehicles, these covers may detach and land on the road.

Recall risks

The road debris created by the covers may cause other drivers to swerve to avoid hitting them. These maneuvers may result in an accident, especially in dense traffic conditions.

Background of the recall

Ford conducted a widespread recall for the same model-year vehicles back in 2021, as reported. 

Vehicles included in the present recall were excluded as they were subject to a separate repair campaign, in which dealers were set to use adhesive to secure the covers. The repair was performed incorrectly, necessitating a second round.

Warning signs

Drivers with insecure covers may hear “squeaks and rattles” while driving. They may also notice a “misalignment” between the cover and the roofline.

Other Ford recalls

In August 2026, Ford recalled 45,000 F-150 pickups over a loss of control in a repeated recall after dealers failed to install the remedy in some of the affected vehicles back in 2024, as reported.

In May 2026, Ford recalled 180,000 SUVs with loose front seats, also as reported.

The repair

Ford or Lincoln dealers will replace the push pins or the covers themselves as needed. Owners were set to be notified of the recall by August 24, 2026. Another round of letters will be sent once the repair becomes available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 288,000 vehicles are included in this recall. To see if your 2019 Ford Explorer is part of the recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to do a Ford recall check.