2025–2026 Ford Explorer Exterior Lighting Recall 26V121000 (Ford 26C12)

NHTSA recall 26V121000 (Ford recall 26C12) covers about 35,772 2025–2026 Ford Explorer vehicles (exterior lighting), filed with NHTSA Mar 3, 2026. There is no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory.

Source: NHTSA campaign 26V121000 · Data as of Nov 6, 2026 · By CarWhere Research

35,772
vehicles affected (potential)
2025–2026
model years
Mar 3, 2026
filed with NHTSA
None
NHTSA advisory

What's recalled

Component: Exterior lighting (headlights)

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."

The risk

A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy and its status

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.

Status: NHTSA lists Mar 23, 2026 as the owner-notification date for this campaign.

Ford recall number 26C12

NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number for 26V121000 as 26C12. Owner letters and dealer service departments often use this code, so a search for "26C12 recall" refers to the same campaign.

Affected models and years

Models and model years NHTSA lists for this campaign. Not every vehicle of a listed model and year is included; check by VIN.

VehicleModel yearsMore
Ford Explorer2025–2026All Explorer recallsYears to avoid

Key dates

Report filed with NHTSA
Mar 3, 2026
Owner notification
Mar 23, 2026
Build dates covered
Nov 29, 2023 to Nov 23, 2025
Recall initiated by
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
Filed by
Ford Motor Company
Safety standard (FMVSS)
108

Check your VIN for 26V121000

  1. Find the 17-character VIN on the driver-side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the door-jamb sticker, or your registration.
  2. Enter it in NHTSA's free VIN recall lookup. It shows every open recall on that exact vehicle, including this one if it applies and hasn't been repaired.
  3. If 26V121000 is open, call any Ford dealer's service department and give them the recall number (26V121000 or 26C12). The repair is free.

Not sure of the exact model or year? Decode it first with the free VIN decoder.

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 26V121000?

NHTSA recall 26V121000 (Ford recall 26C12) covers about 35,772 2025–2026 Ford Explorer vehicles (exterior lighting), filed with NHTSA Mar 3, 2026. There is no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. It covers certain 2025-2026 Explorer vehicles.

Is it safe to drive a vehicle with recall 26V121000?

NHTSA's record for 26V121000 carries no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. The risk NHTSA lists is: "A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash." Get the free repair as soon as it is available for your vehicle.

How do I know if my vehicle is affected by 26V121000?

Only a VIN lookup can tell you. Not every vehicle of the listed models and years is included, and repaired vehicles drop off. Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's free recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Ford dealer to check it.

What is the fix for recall 26V121000, and is it free?

NHTSA's record says: "The headlight control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge." NHTSA lists Mar 23, 2026 as the owner-notification date for this campaign. Safety-recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.

What is the Ford recall number for 26V121000?

NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number as 26C12. Dealers and owner letters often use that code (26C12) instead of the NHTSA campaign number 26V121000.

Sources and method

  • NHTSA recall record for 26V121000, from NHTSA's public recall campaign database. Problem, risk and remedy text is NHTSA's own wording.
  • "Vehicles affected" is NHTSA's potential-units-affected count for the whole campaign.
  • Data as of Nov 6, 2026. NHTSA updates campaigns as manufacturers file amendments, so check the official record for the latest.

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