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2025-2026 Ford Explorer recall: headlights

Ford Motor Company reported this safety recall on March 3, 2026. It covers about 35,772 vehicles.

vehicles affected
35,772
reported
Mar 3, 2026
owners notified
Mar 23, 2026
related complaints
5

Exterior lighting: headlights

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."
Risk
A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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 on March 5, 2026.

Recall number 26V121000

Affected vehicles

Owner complaints about the same problem

Owners of these vehicles have filed 5 complaints about lights problems.

Questions about recall 26V121000

Is there a recall on the 2025-2026 Ford Explorer headlights?

Yes. Recall 26V121000, reported on March 3, 2026, covers about 35,772 vehicles.

What is the fix for recall 26V121000?

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 on March 5, 2026.

Is the recall repair free?

Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers. A dealer can confirm with the VIN whether a specific vehicle is included and whether the repair has already been done.

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