2026 Ford Explorer: air bags recall
An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
What was reported
Source: manufacturer filing, 49 CFR Part 573Reported to NHTSA Sep 9, 2026 by Ford Motor Company.
Which vehicles are covered
Source: NHTSA campaign 26V581000Vehicles built Aug 2, 2026 to Aug 2, 2026 — 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Ford Explorer | Large SUV | F | 15 |
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
- Defect report PDF — The manufacturer's own filing to NHTSA describing the defect, the risk and the affected build range.
Check one specific vehicle
A recall applies to a build range, so year, make and model cannot settle it. NHTSA checks a VIN against the manufacturer's own list and tells you whether the repair is still outstanding on that vehicle.
NHTSA VIN recall lookup →Campaign 26V581000 · the manufacturer calls it 26S65
Common questions
Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573Is 26S65 the same recall as 26V581000?
Yes. 26S65 is the number Ford Motor Company uses for this campaign in its own paperwork and in the letter it sends owners. 26V581000 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 Aug 2, 2026 to Aug 2, 2026. 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. The remedy filed for this campaign is described above.
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 the manufacturer. 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.