Skip to main content

NHTSA recall,

Ford Explorer (2025-2026)

The Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn in the wrong direction when driving through curves in the road.

Summary by Recall Canary from the NHTSA notice

What happened

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer vehicles because the Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn in the wrong direction when driving through curves in the road.

As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall affects 35,772 vehicles nationwide. This was reported to NHTSA on March 3, 2026. Owner notification letters were mailed March 23, 2026.

The headlight control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge.

More exterior lighting defect recalls

What to do

If you own a vehicle in this recall:

  1. Check your VIN (vehicle identification number) at nhtsa.gov/recalls. VINs are searchable from March 5, 2026.
  2. The headlight control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge.
  3. You may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
  4. Look for the owner letter. Owner notification letters were mailed March 23, 2026.

What you get Free repair

Full text from NHTSA

The headlight control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C12. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.

Is your Ford affected?

These models and years may be affected.

  • Explorer, model years 2025 to 2026

Your VIN confirms it. Find the 17-character VIN on the driver's side of the dashboard or on your registration card.

Check your VIN on nhtsa.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recall details

Reported to NHTSA
Sold in
Nationwide
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Component
Exterior lighting defect
Campaign
26V121000
Vehicles affected
35,772
Repair cost
Free of charge
Owner letters mailed
Manufacturer's recall number
26C12
Manufacturer phone
1-866-436-7332

All recalls from Ford Motor Company

Timeline

  1. Reported to NHTSA

  2. Listed on Recall Canary

  3. Summary updated

Other exterior lighting defect recalls

See all: Other exterior lighting defect recalls

Summary by Recall Canary, written with AI · summary updated Oct 2, 2026 · primary source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (opens in a new tab)