Ford bulletin SSM 54581
What it saysSome 2024-2026 Nautilus and 2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with power folding mirrors may exhibit concerns with the auto folding mirror functionality not matching the status selected by the switch… NHTSA’s full summary ↓
Ford filed this with NHTSA as a service bulletin dated Feb 16, 2026, received Feb 17, 2026, about the visibility/wiper. It names 7 model years across Ford and Lincoln (2024–2026). A service bulletin is not a safety recall: it is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a condition, and whether the work is paid for depends on the warranty in force. Quoting the number at a service desk can save a diagnosis.
One page for every brand it was filed under. Each brand’s bulletins: Ford · Lincoln.
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What the bulletin says
Source: NHTSA's summary of the manufacturer's communicationSome 2024-2026 Nautilus and 2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with power folding mirrors may exhibit concerns with the auto folding mirror functionality not matching the status selected by the switch in the center display screen menu. Examples include auto folding not operating when the switch is enabled and/or auto folding continuing to function when the switch is disabled. This may be due to the software in the driver door module (DDM) and passenger door module (PDM). Power folding mirror operation from the physical button is not affected by this condition. Inform customers that engineering is currently working on a solution for this condition that is expected in Q4 2026. Replacement or reprogramming of the accessory protocol interface module (APIM), DDM, or PDM will not resolve this condition. Monitor Professional Technician System (PTS) for additional information and schedule service appointments for customers once the repair becomes available.<br /><br /> If the vehicle exhibits this condition, submit a Vehicle Concern Report. To submit a report, click on the "Submit Global Concern Report"
Document filed under this number
| Document | Kind | Dated | NHTSA id | At NHTSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSM 54581 | Service bulletin | Feb 16, 2026 | 11028848 | PDF, 70 KB |
The summary is NHTSA’s abstract of the document, as filed under 49 CFR 579.5. One communication is usually filed as several documents — the bulletin, a dealer notice, an owner letter — and the number on any of them finds this page. A PDF link is shown only once NHTSA’s own server has been seen to serve that document; the rest are checked over the following nights. Quote the number at a service desk; it is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Model years it names
Source: as the manufacturer filed themFord 2 model years
Lincoln 5 model years
A vehicle page’s bulletin list shows the newest few communications filed against that model year; the count there is every one.
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What owners reported
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseOwners of the 7 model years this bulletin names have filed 255 complaints with NHTSA since 2015. 85 of them name Electrical System, Visibility/Wiper — the same broad component group this bulletin is filed under. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so that means the same area of the vehicle, not necessarily the same fault.
The contact owns a 2025 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that the front passenger's side window failed to roll up or down as needed. The contact stated that the front driver's side window motor was previously replaced due to the same failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired.
2025 Lincoln Aviator · Visibility/Wiper · filed with NHTSA Aug 18, 2026 · ODI 11757628
I had my car in drive in a parking spot. I was ready to go, put the car in drive, DID NOT MOVE but needed to put it in park fast to assist to a child in the back seat. I put it in park pretty fast. Took my seatbelt off and assisted child. It must have not engaged. Car rolled into my office metal mailbox. I 100% put it in park.
2026 Ford Explorer · Electrical System · filed with NHTSA Aug 25, 2026 · ODI 11759587
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V157000 (Visibility); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted.
2025 Ford Explorer · Visibility/Wiper · filed with NHTSA Jul 7, 2025 · ODI 11671513
A complaint is one owner’s account, not a defect finding, and a bulletin is not a recall. Nothing here says this bulletin was issued because of these complaints, or that the repair it describes fixed them. Complaint files on this site begin in 2015.
More bulletins about the visibility/wiper
Source: same model, same component group15 other manufacturer communications filed against these Ford models under the same component group (visibility/wiper), newest first. The eight newest are listed; the rest are on the Ford list.
| Number | Kind | Dated | NHTSA’s summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSM 55186 | Service bulletin | Sep 18, 2026 | Some 2026 Explorer vehicles may exhibit wind noise and/or water intrusion from the panoramic roof panel glass seal. Inspection may find that… |
| 26N09 | Other | Jun 11, 2026 | Customer Satisfaction Program 26N09 Certain 2020 Model Year Escape, 2020-2021 Corsair, 2020-2021 Aviator, and 2020- 2021 and 2023 Explorer V… |
| DDM-26.21.5 | Over-the-air update | May 14, 2026 | Quality improvements include: -Prevents window bounce backs after using the one touch up feature |
| HCM-25.5.0 | Over-the-air update | Feb 19, 2026 | "Quality improvements include: -Enhanced dynamic bending lights performance " |
| SYNC-25.2.0.16.1 | Over-the-air update | Jan 22, 2026 | "Quality Improvements Include: - Bug Fixing and Feature improvements. - Resolves black screen issue caused when there is no SiriusXM disk s… |
| 25N19 | Other | Dec 8, 2025 | Customer Satisfaction Program 25N19 Certain 2024-2026 Model Year Corsair and Certain 2025-2026 Model Year Explorer and Aviator Vehicles Win… |
| SSM 54272 | Service bulletin | Oct 5, 2025 | Some 2025 Aviator vehicles may exhibit a condition where the rear windows are locked when the child lock is off, and the rear windows are un… |
| SSM 54233 | Service bulletin | Sep 23, 2025 | Some 2025 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit a "Front Camera Fault Service Required" message appearing in the… |
Quote the number at the service desk. It is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Every manufacturer communication NHTSA holds for Ford and Lincoln, by the number printed on the letter.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR 579.5Is Ford SSM 54581 a recall?
No. A service bulletin is a manufacturer communication filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR 579.5; a safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number (two digits, a letter, six digits) and a federal duty to repair for free. Check the vehicle’s recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or on its page here.
Is the SSM 54581 repair free?
Not automatically. A service bulletin describes how to diagnose or repair a condition; who pays depends on the warranty in force, any extension, and the dealer. Quoting the number can save a diagnosis either way.
Which vehicles does SSM 54581 cover?
The manufacturer filed it against 7 model years across 2 brands (Ford and Lincoln): 2026 Ford Explorer, 2025 Ford Explorer, 2026 Lincoln Aviator, 2025 Lincoln Aviator, 2026 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Nautilus and more. Whether one particular vehicle is affected is a matter of its VIN and its build, not its model year alone.