Ford recalls Explorer and Aviator SUVs with faulty seats

Dearborn, MI – September 10, 2026 – Ford (NYSE:F), which also owns the Lincoln brand, is recalling 387,911 SUVs whose seats may move unexpectedly. The defect reduces the level of occupant protection in a crash, upping the risk of injury.

The following models are affected: 

  • 2020 – 2026 Ford Explorer
  • 2020 – 2027 Lincoln Aviator

This recall is both an expansion of and a replacement for a previous one conducted for the same issue in 2025.

Recall summary  

The second-row seats of the affected vehicles feature the so-called “easy entry” switch that allows them to be folded or slid forward when needed to provide access to the third row. The switch may “bind” or “stick,” which could result in the seats moving unexpectedly while driving. 

Recall risks

Seats that suddenly move could either injure occupants or fail to protect them in an accident.

Background of the recall

Some of the affected vehicles were already recalled in June 2025 with dealers replacing the switch and the decorative trim around it. After the recall was completed, Ford received several reports of both repaired cars and ones that were not originally included experiencing issues with the second-row seats. That eventually led to the present recall. 

No injuries or accidents have been reported.

Other Ford recalls

In July 2026, Ford recalled  10,700 F-150 pickups over faulty transmission, as reported.

Earlier that same month, Ford recalled 16,000 Bronco SUVs whose roofs would detach while driving, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the switch and the surrounding decorative trim free of charge.

The remedy is set to be available in January 2027.

When that happens, the owners will receive a letter inviting them to take the car to the nearest dealership.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Ford seat recall affects almost 388,000 SUVS. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Aleksandra SnesarevaFord recalls Explorer and Aviator SUVs with faulty seats

Ford recalls Explorer and Aviator SUVs over loose seat belts 

Dearborn, MI – March 28, 2025 – Ford (NYSE:F), which also owns the Lincoln brand, is recalling 240,510 SUVs whose seat belts “may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash.” This augments the risk of injury to everyone involved.

The following models are affected: 

  • 2020 – 2021 Ford Explorer
  • 2020 – 2021 Lincoln Aviator

Recall summary  

The bolts that hold the seat belt buckles and seat belt retractors in the affected SUV were not sufficiently tightened during assembly and may become loose over time.     

Recall risks

Insufficiently secured seat belt buckles and retractors may not provide adequate protection to the occupants in a crash and increase the risk of serious injuries.

Warning signs

The occupants may notice squeaking and rattling noises.    

Other Ford recalls

In February 2025, Ford recalled Super Duty trucks and Lincoln Corsairs over malfunctioning rearview cameras.  

On a separate note, Ford is currently being investigated by the U.S. government over allegedly malfunctioning seat belt pretensioners.   

The repair

Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle and retractor bolts free of charge.   

The owners should receive letters with more information between March 31, 2025 and April 4, 2025. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Ford seat belt buckle recall affects more than 240,000 SUVS. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls Explorer and Aviator SUVs over loose seat belts 

Ford recalls vehicles with faulty rearview cameras

Dearborn, MI – October 10, 2021 – Ford (NYSE: F) – that owns the Lincoln brand – is recalling 228,297 vehicles whose infotainment system may fail to display the image from the rearview camera. This increases the risk of a crash and injury. Affected vehicles include: 

  • 2020 Ford Explorer
  • 2021 Ford Explorer
  • 2020 Lincoln Aviator 
  • 2021 Lincoln Aviator 
  • 2020 Lincoln Corsair 
  • 2021 Lincoln Corsair 

Recall summary  

Cars that are part of this Ford recall have a SYNC infotainment system that shows a 360° image around the vehicle.  The rearview camera may occasionally fail to display the image, limiting drivers’ visibility while backing up the vehicle

Recall risks

Limited visibility while backing up the vehicle increases the risk of a crash, which can lead to property damage or injury to people behind the car, especially small children.  The risk is even greater when the driver relies solely on the rearview camera when going in reverse. Read more about the history of rearview cameras in our recent article about a similar Stellantis recall.

Other Ford recalls

A wide range of Ford and Lincoln models is having various problems with rearview cameras and other software glitches for some time now. This even caused the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to open an investigation into how the manufacturer handled a recent recall related to the matter.

There were several other Ford Explorer recalls recently as well. In September, for example, over 640,000 2013 – 2017 Ford Explorers were recalled for the fourth time since 2016 due to possible steering loss caused by faulty suspension.

There is also a recent Lincoln Aviator recall, which deals with a wiring issue that could cause electrical fire.

The repair

Ford and Lincoln authorized dealers will fix the problem by updating the software that controls the image processing module (IPMB). Notifications about the repair were sent to vehicle owners from October 7, 2021. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This recall includes more than 220,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles. To check for this and other recalls, use  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls vehicles with faulty rearview cameras