2026 Ford Explorer recall: airbag
⚠️ What's wrong
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.
🔧 The fix
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.
Is the fix free? Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer under federal law, including parts and labor. (Vehicles more than 15 years old when the recall was announced can be excluded, but most manufacturers still fix them.)
- NHTSA campaign
- 26V581000
- Manufacturer recall #
- 26S65
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Vehicles affected
- 7
- Component
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
- Owner phone
- 1-866-436-7332
- NHTSA hotline
- 1-888-327-4236
- Owner letters mailed
- Sep 16, 2026
- Built
- Aug 2, 2026 – Aug 2, 2026
- Recall started by
- MFR