Ford recall: Exterior lighting
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer vehicles. The Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn in the wrong direction when driving through curves in the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
What could happen
A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
The headlight control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C12. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.
Vehicles covered
- Ford Explorer 2025–2026
Facts
- NHTSA recall number
- 26V121000
- Type
- Vehicle
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company
- Reported to NHTSA
- Mar 3, 2026
- Owners notified
- Mar 23, 2026
- Vehicles or items affected
- 35,772
- Started by
- NHTSA investigation
- Built
- –
- Part
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
- Maker's own recall number
- 26C12
- Safety standard
- FMVSS 108
Other recalls for the same vehicles
- Ford recall: Air bags Sep 9, 2026
- Ford recall: Engine and engine cooling Aug 25, 2026
- Ford recall: Engine and engine cooling Aug 13, 2026
- Ford / Lincoln recall: Seats Jul 21, 2026
- Ford / Lincoln recall: Seats Jul 14, 2026
- Ford recall: Structure Jul 14, 2026
To check one car, enter its 17-character VIN on the official NHTSA page: a recall may cover only some vehicles of a model year.
Recall data: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.