Recall record at a glance
| Official record | 26V121000 |
|---|---|
| Category | Vehicle Recalls |
| Recalling firm | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS |
| Report date | Mar 3, 2026 |
| Location | United States |
What the recall covers
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."
Potential consequence
A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy described by NHTSA
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.
Vehicle pages currently linked in our database
These are the make, model and model-year pages currently linked to this campaign in Recall Lookup USA. The official NHTSA record may cover additional vehicles.
What to do next
Use the NHTSA recall lookup with your VIN for the most precise vehicle-specific result, then follow the remedy instructions provided by the manufacturer or an authorized dealer. A model-level campaign page cannot confirm whether a particular VIN is affected.
About this record
Recall Lookup USA preserves the most complete source information successfully retrieved. We do not create missing facts or infer affected lots or VINs. The official record may still change, so use the identifier above when verifying current instructions.