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Ford Explorer safety recalls

Every road vehicle recall DVSA lists for the Ford Explorer since 1992: what the problem is, how it is put right, how many vehicles it covers and when they were built. Newest first.

Recalls for the Ford Explorer. Also see car recalls by year and make.

Last updated
Records analysed
15 recalls matched to this model
Methodology
View methodology
  • Recalls since 1992 15 launched 1998 to 2026
  • Most recent 21 August 2026 DVSA recall R/2026/334
  • Recalls 2016 to 2025 7 launched in those ten years
  • Busiest year 2025 3 recalls launched

Does a recall affect your Ford Explorer?

Not every Ford Explorer is affected. Each recall covers cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, which DVSA’s file does not list in full. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check with its registration, or ask the manufacturer or a dealer, who can check the VIN.

Ford Explorer recalls by year

Recalls launched each year, 1998 to 2026

2025 had the most, with 3. 2026 runs to 14 September 2026. A count of recalls is not a measure of safety: one recall can cover a handful of cars or tens of thousands.

Ford Explorer safety recalls by year of launch
Year Recalls
’98 1
’99 1
’00 0
’01 1
’02 0
’03 1
’04 0
’05 0
’06 1
’07 0
’08 0
’09 1
’10 0
’11 0
’12 0
’13 0
’14 0
’15 0
’16 0
’17 0
’18 0
’19 0
’20 0
’21 1
’22 1
’23 0
’24 2
’25 3
’26 2

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated

Every Ford Explorer recall, newest first

2026 2 recalls

26S57 Explorer – Panoramic Roof Partial Detachment

Launched 21 August 2026 DVSA recall R/2026/334 Manufacturer ref. 26S57

Defect
Affected vehicles may have a panoramic roof with an improper adhesion bond. This could result in wind noise water leak or separation from the vehicle.
Remedy
Test the adhesion bonding of the panoramic roof. and replace if necessary
Vehicles affected
21 Explorer vehicles
Built
18 Mar 2026 to 26 Mar 2026

26S06 Capri Explorer - Torque Inspection On Various Joints

Launched 24 February 2026 DVSA recall R/2026/082 Manufacturer ref. 26S06

Defect
Affected vehicles may have rear axle joints that were not tightened to the specified torque during manufacturing.
Remedy
Check toe and camber links to subframe torques and if not according to specification change the fixings. A check of wheel alignment is also required.
Vehicles affected
22 Explorer vehicles
Built
7 Apr 2025 to 6 Jun 2025, 12 Jun 2025 to 1 Sept 2025 and 6 Oct 2025 to 31 Oct 2025
Also covers

2025 3 recalls

CrossCar: Sync3 Rear-View Camera Software Update

Launched 8 September 2025 DVSA recall R/2025/359 Manufacturer ref. 25S72

Defect
On affected vehicles a software problem may result in issues with the rear-view camera that reduce the driver’s view or with it remaining on after a reversing event.
Remedy
Update the vehicle software to the latest level.
Vehicles affected
8 Explorer vehicles
Built
11 Apr 2023 to 29 Jun 2023

25S79 Explorer Capri - Ground Connection Inspection

Launched 7 August 2025 DVSA recall R/2025/317 Manufacturer ref. 25S79

Defect
Affected vehicles may have a ground connection where the correct tightening torque was not achieved during manufacturing. This may lead to the malfunction of specific features engine stalling and arcing with an increased risk of localised melting.
Remedy
Inspect the ground connection and if necessary tighten the nut to the correct specification.
Vehicles affected
5 Explorer vehicles
Built
31 Mar 2025 to 21 May 2025
Also covers

25S69 Explorer Capri - Rear Right Seatbelt Bracket Potential Spot Weld Missing

Launched 4 July 2025 DVSA recall R/2025/242 Manufacturer ref. 25S69

Defect
Affected vehicles have been manufactured with a rear right seatbelt bracket that could potentially have a missing weld. The absence of the weld could compromise the integrity of the seatbelt system during an accident.
Remedy
Install a nut and bolt to restore the integrity of the rear right seatbelt bracket.
Vehicles affected
31 Explorer vehicles
Built
19 May 2025 to 23 May 2025

2024 2 recalls

23S55 - Explorer - Rear axle bolt potential fracture

Launched 11 March 2024 DVSA recall R/2023/316 Manufacturer ref. 23S55

Defect
Vehicles may have been produced with bolts on the rear axle that do not meet the specification and could potentially fracture.
Remedy
Replace affected parts
Vehicles affected
1 vehicle
Built
6 Nov 2019 and 20 May 2020

23S53 – Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle – High Voltage Battery Diagnostic Inspection

Launched 12 February 2024 DVSA recall R/2024/011 Manufacturer ref. 23S53

Defect
The affected vehicles may have a manufacturing defect in one or more of the vehicles. High Voltage battery cells which may result in a cell with a lower than expected capacity. In certain cases the low-capacity cell may develop an internal short circuit.
Remedy
On affected vehicles the battery will be replaced.
Vehicles affected
1,153 across everything the recall covers
Built
6 Nov 2019 and 20 May 2020
Also covers
DVSA lists it as
“EXPLORER”, “EXPLORER PHEV”

2022 1 recall

The rear axle bolts may fracture during vehicle acceleration.

Launched 17 June 2022 DVSA recall R/2022/172 Manufacturer ref. 22S27

Defect
In some of the affected vehicles the rear axle bolts may fracture during vehicle acceleration and may prevent the vehicle from being held stationary if the parking brake is not applied.
Remedy
A software update will engage the electronic parking brake every time the vehicle is shifted into Park preventing vehicles from rolling.
Vehicles affected
2 Explorer vehicles
Built
6 Nov 2019 to 20 May 2020

2021 1 recall

Vehicles may have an issue with the current software that contols the funtionality of the eCall system

Launched 21 May 2021 DVSA recall R/2021/177 Manufacturer ref. 21C12

Defect
Vehicles may have an issue with the current software that controls the functionality of the eCall system.
Remedy
Carry out a software update.
Vehicles affected
100 across everything the recall covers
Built
15 Jul 2019 to 12 Feb 2021

2009 1 recall

Speed control deactivation switch may overheat and catch fire

Launched 7 December 2009 DVSA recall R/2009/128 Manufacturer ref. 9c273

Defect
It has been identified that corrosion within the speed control deactivation switch cavity can create a conductive path between the uninterrupted battery power and ground. This could cause the switch to overheat smoke or burn either with the engine running or when it is switched off.
Remedy
Recalled vehicles will be inspected for corrosion of the specified area and if required will install a revised speed control deactivation switch. If no corrosion is present dealers will install a universal fused jumper harness.
Vehicles affected
2,803 across everything the recall covers
Built
1 Jan 1995 to 31 Dec 2002
Also covers
  • Winstar

2006 1 recall

Speed control deactivation switch may overheat and catch fire.

Launched 25 September 2006 DVSA recall R/2006/147 Manufacturer ref. 5c983

Defect
It has been identified that the speed control deactivation switch may overheat smoke or burn.
Remedy
Recalled vehicles will have the subject switch renewed if necessary in addition to which a modified jumper harness will be installed.
Vehicles affected
3,968 across everything the recall covers
Built
25 Apr 1997 to 21 Oct 1998
Also covers
  • Mountaineer

2003 1 recall

Drivers seat may recline unexpectedly

Launched 13 October 2003 DVSA recall R/2003/143 Manufacturer ref. 3C899

Defect
Driver's side seat upper recliner to seat back frame attachment bolt may fracture forcing seat to fully recline unexpectedly.
Remedy
Recall affected vehicles and fit new design spacer and bolt.
Vehicles affected
3,011 Explorer vehicles
Built
1 Jan 1998 to 31 Dec 2002

2001 1 recall

Front stabiliser bar links.

Launched 22 January 2001 DVSA recall R/2000/153 Manufacturer ref. 0C710

Defect
One or both front stabiliser bar links may break. Under certain conditions vehicle handling may be affected if one or both of the front stabiliser bar links are broken.
Remedy
Both front stabiliser bar links will be replaced with new 10 - millimetre service stabiliser bar links.
Vehicles affected
508 Explorer vehicles
Built
1 Jan 1995 to 31 Oct 1996

1999 1 recall

Throttle may not return to idle when cruise control is disengaged

Launched 6 April 1999 DVSA recall R/1999/021

Defect
Certain of the affected vehicles could be fitted with a cruise control cable that may interfere with the cruise control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the cruise control.
Remedy
Phase 1 - Write to owners advising them to immediately stop using the cruise control system and offering them the option of dealers disabling the system should they so wish. Phase 2 - As soon as replacement cruise control cables become available recall all affected vehicles for replacement of the cable.
Vehicles affected
5,363 across everything the recall covers
Built
1 May 1996 to 31 Mar 1999
Also covers

1998 1 recall

Accelerator pedal may jam

Launched 14 August 1998 DVSA recall R/1998/060

Defect
Two conditions have been identified that may inhibit the throttle pedal from returning to its normal idle position. 1) The possibility that a loose or incorrectly located floor mat may interfere with the lower edge of the pedal assembly and 2) A potential foul condition between the engine compartment bulkhead insulation material and the throttle cable.
Remedy
Recall all affected vehicles to fit revised design floor mats and securing system. A revised design quality assured throttle pedal and associated hardware is also being fitted to provide increased clearance between the lower edge of the pedal and the carpet. This recall supersedes R1998/038.
Vehicles affected
4,577 Explorer vehicles
Built
1 Aug 1996 to 27 Apr 1998

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
Safety recalls Vehicle safety recalls Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Derived statistics UK Motoring 		January 1992 to September 2026 15 recalls matched to this model 15 September 2026
  • Road vehicle recalls (DVSA numbers starting R/) whose model names match the Ford Explorer. DVSA records some recalls under a range or chassis name we cannot match, so this list may be incomplete.
  • Vehicles affected is the number the manufacturer reported to DVSA. When one recall covers several models, DVSA often gives only the total.
  • Build dates are the periods the manufacturer gave. Some recalls have none. VINs are not shown.
  • Concerns written in capitals have been put in sentence case, and apostrophes lost in DVSA’s file have been put back. The text is otherwise DVSA’s.
How we calculate these figures All data sources

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.