2020–2026 Ford Explorer, 2020–2026 Lincoln Aviator Recall: Seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be…
NHTSA campaign 26V159000 · Seat Belts · filed Mar 17, 2026 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
The risk
A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
More Ford Explorer recalls
- 2026–2027 Ford Explorer and 1 other model — An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally…
- 2016–2019 Ford Explorer — Roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle
- 2020–2026 Ford Explorer and 1 other model — Switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind…
- 2018–2021 Ford Expedition and 4 other models — Transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in…
- 2024 Ford Explorer — An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may…
Other campaigns involving Ford vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 26V159000 (manufacturer number 26C18). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.