2020–2027 Ford Explorer & Lincoln Aviator Seats Recall 26V451000 (Ford 26S52)

NHTSA recall 26V451000 (Ford recall 26S52) covers about 387,917 2020–2027 Ford Explorer & Lincoln Aviator vehicles (seats), filed with NHTSA Jul 14, 2026. There is no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory.

Source: NHTSA campaign 26V451000 · Data as of Nov 6, 2026 · By CarWhere Research

387,917
vehicles affected (potential)
2020–2027
model years
Jul 14, 2026
filed with NHTSA
None
NHTSA advisory

What's recalled

Component: Seats (mid/rear assembly)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.

The risk

A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The remedy and its status

Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.

Status: NHTSA’s record says the remedy is not yet available (interim owner notice). Owners get a second letter when the fix is ready.

Ford recall number 26S52

NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number for 26V451000 as 26S52. Owner letters and dealer service departments often use this code, so a search for "26S52 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 Explorer2020–2026All Explorer recallsYears to avoid
Lincoln Aviator2020–2027All Aviator recallsYears to avoid

Key dates

Report filed with NHTSA
Jul 14, 2026
Owner notification
Aug 21, 2026
Build dates covered
Oct 19, 2018 to Jun 24, 2026
Recall initiated by
the manufacturer
Filed by
Ford Motor Company

Check your VIN for 26V451000

  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 26V451000 is open, call any Ford dealer's service department and give them the recall number (26V451000 or 26S52). 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 26V451000?

NHTSA recall 26V451000 (Ford recall 26S52) covers about 387,917 2020–2027 Ford Explorer & Lincoln Aviator vehicles (seats), filed with NHTSA Jul 14, 2026. There is no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. It covers certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles.

Is it safe to drive a vehicle with recall 26V451000?

NHTSA's record for 26V451000 carries no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. The risk NHTSA lists is: "A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury." Get the free repair as soon as it is available for your vehicle.

How do I know if my vehicle is affected by 26V451000?

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 26V451000, and is it free?

NHTSA's record says: "Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge." NHTSA’s record says the remedy is not yet available (interim owner notice). Owners get a second letter when the fix is ready. Safety-recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.

What is the Ford recall number for 26V451000?

NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number as 26S52. Dealers and owner letters often use that code (26S52) instead of the NHTSA campaign number 26V451000.

Sources and method

  • NHTSA recall record for 26V451000, 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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