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Ford, Lincoln Second-Row Seats May Shift Unexpectedly
high How serious is it? About this label
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 26V451000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Jul 14, 2026 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Part affected | Seats:mid/rear Assembly |
| Vehicles covered | 12 model/year combinations, model years 2020–2025 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
Ford is recalling certain Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles because the switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick. This can cause the seat to unlatch, tip, or slide unexpectedly. A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain a passenger in a crash. This is a phased recall — the repair will become available at different times depending on the model and model year. Dealers will inspect and replace the switch bezel as necessary, at no cost.
What you should do
2. Contact your Ford dealer, or call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 — repairs are being phased in, with more letters to follow once the remedy is available (expected January 2027).
3. The repair is free of charge.
Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?
Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 26V451000. More in how recalls work.
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
The bigger picture
- Ford Seat Recalls Involving Unlocked Seatbacks and Unexpected Movement · all 21 Ford recalls in this area
- Lincoln seat recalls involving unexpected movement and weakened seat structures · all 10 Lincoln recalls in this area
Other Ford Explorer recalls
- Jul 21, 2026Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator Seats May Reclinemedium
- Jul 14, 2026Ford Explorer Roof Rail Covers May Detachhigh
- Jun 24, 2026Ford, Lincoln SUVs: Transmission Park System May Failhigh
- Jun 9, 2026Ford Explorer Park System May Fail, Rollaway Riskhigh
- May 27, 2026Ford Explorer Engine May Fail Suddenlyhigh
- Mar 19, 2026Ford Explorer and Lincoln Models Camera and ADAS Lossmedium
Official notice
- Component
- SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
- Safety risk
- A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.