2016–2019 Ford Explorer: structure recall
A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
What was reported
Source: manufacturer filing, 49 CFR Part 573Reported to NHTSA Jul 14, 2026 by Ford Motor Company.
What that means, in plain English
Source: WhichTrim's reading of the filing above — not NHTSA's wordingA detached roof rail cover becomes a road hazard to other vehicles, which per the guidelines is high rather than critical absent a stop-drive order, and the defect can directly contribute to a crash for following traffic.
Written for us by a language model from the manufacturer's filed text, which is quoted in full above. Where the two differ, the filing is the record and this is only our summary of it.
The fix, from the dealer bulletin
Source: NHTSA remedy instructions and dealer noticeThe remedy, in the manufacturer’s words: availability including repair instructions have been provided to dealers.
Read from NHTSA’s copy of the manufacturer’s dealer documents (manufacturer campaign 26S54). The procedure itself is in the bulletin; a franchised dealer has the current copy on the manufacturer’s portal, and that copy governs. Working a lot or a fleet? Recall Watch carries this line on every VIN it checks: remedy status, hours, stop-sale.
Which vehicles are covered
Source: NHTSA campaign 26V448000Vehicles built Sep 19, 2014 to Mar 3, 2019 — a VIN outside that window is not part of this campaign even if the year, make and model match.
| Model year | Class | Safety Signal | Recalls on file |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Ford Explorer | Large SUV | F | 14 |
| 2017 Ford Explorer | Large SUV | F | 14 |
| 2018 Ford Explorer | Large SUV | F | 7 |
| 2019 Ford Explorer | Large SUV | D | 6 |
Those are the model years inside WhichTrim's range, 2016 onward. The campaign may cover others outside it, and the only thing that settles whether one specific vehicle is included is its VIN.
The federal paperwork
Source: nhtsa.govFiled documents
Check one specific vehicle
A recall applies to a build range, so year, make and model cannot settle it. Type the VIN and the WhichTrim recall report checks this campaign’s build window and engine against it.
Campaign 26V448000 · the manufacturer calls it 26S54
Own one, or run a fleet? Recall Watch checks each VIN against every new NHTSA campaign and emails you when one lands, this one's expansions included. Or take a free one-line alert by model year.
A recall covers a build range. Only your VIN settles it.
Check it with the WhichTrim recall report now, or have us check it every night and email you when something new is filed.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573Is 26S54 the same recall as 26V448000?
Yes. 26S54 is the number Ford Motor Company uses for this campaign in its own paperwork and in the letter it sends owners. 26V448000 is the number NHTSA files it under. One recall, two references — dealers and service departments generally quote the manufacturer's.
Does this recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to remedy a safety defect or a compliance failure at no charge, for vehicles up to 15 years old measured from the date of first sale. A dealer that asks you to pay for a recall repair is in the wrong.
How do I know whether my vehicle is included?
By VIN, not by model year. This campaign covers vehicles built Sep 19, 2014 to Mar 3, 2019. The manufacturer files a build range with NHTSA and only vehicles inside it are covered, so two identical-looking cars from the same year can differ. NHTSA's own lookup checks a VIN against the manufacturer's list.
What if the repair is not available yet?
It happens, and often. Manufacturers must notify owners when a defect is found even if the parts or the software are not ready, then notify them a second time once the remedy exists. This campaign was filed without a repair available — Ford Motor Company says so in the text above, and expected one by January 2027.
What did the manufacturer say was wrong?
The problem, risk and fix quoted on this page are the manufacturer's own words as filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR Part 573. WhichTrim does not paraphrase them.
Who started this recall?
NHTSA's record credits NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. A recall can begin with the manufacturer's own testing, with a defect investigation, or with a compliance test against a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.