Saturday, August 22, 2026
RecallGazette

Vehicle problems, recalls & safety intelligence

2026 Ford Explorer Recall: Engine connecting rod bearings may seize, which can result in engine…

NHTSA campaign 26V532000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Aug 13, 2026 · verified Aug 22, 2026

Units reported
6
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Risk
Fire
Owner letters
Expected Aug 24, 2026

The defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine. The engine connecting rod bearings may seize, which can result in engine failure.

The risk

Engine failure can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing oil to leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

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 replace the engine long blocks, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S58. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 18, 2026.

Affected vehicles

MakeModelModel years
FordExplorer2026

Related recalls

All Ford Explorer recalls → · All Ford recalls →

Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 26V532000 (manufacturer number 26S58). Data last verified Aug 22, 2026.