Ford Explorer (2025-2026): Exterior lighting
Recall 26V121000 · Mar 3, 2026 · Ford Motor Company
35,772
vehicles affected
35,772
vehicles affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 26V121000
- Date
- Mar 3, 2026
- Maker
- Ford Motor Company
- Units affected
- 35,772
- Kind
- Vehicles
- Component
- Exterior lighting > Headlights
- Model years
- 2025-2026
- Started by
- The safety regulator
- Hazard
- Crash risk
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 can happen
A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Recall repairs are free of charge.
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.
Vehicles covered
1 model, 2 model years in all
Related pages
Questions and answers
Which vehicles are in recall 26V121000?
1 model: Ford Explorer (2025-2026), about 35,772 vehicles in all.
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.
What can happen?
A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data; texts are shortened. A dealer can tell whether a single vehicle still needs the repair.