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Ford Explorer and Aviator seat belt anchor bolts loose

NHTSA campaign 26V159000 · Reported 2026-03-17 · Ford Motor Company

high How serious is it? About this label

A belt that is not securely anchored is a real safety concern for anyone riding in the second row, though the notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

What's wrong, in plain English

The bolts that hold the bottom end of the second-row outside seat belts to the vehicle may not have been fastened properly. A seat belt held by a loose bolt may not keep a passenger in place during a crash, so the belt may not protect them the way it should. Dealers will inspect those lower anchor bolts on both outer second-row seats and repair or replace them as needed, at no charge.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your vehicle is affected.
2. Call your Ford or Lincoln dealer and ask for recall 26C18 (Ford: 1-866-436-7332).
3. Have the free seat belt anchor inspection and repair done as soon as you can get an appointment.

Affected vehicles (12)

Who to contact

Ford — official Ford recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Lincoln — official Lincoln recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Official notice

Component
SEAT BELTS
Summary
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.
Safety risk
A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
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.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.