Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published July 21, 2026
Ford Explorer 2025 Seats: Risk of Trapping Second Row Occupant
Ford is recalling 2025-2027 Explorer and Aviator vehicles with driver seats that may unintentionally recline, potentially trapping second-row occupants. Owners must contact Ford for free repairs to disable the seat module.
Unexpected movement of the driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
✎ GovInfoNow plain-language explainer
Ford is recalling certain 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles because the driver's seat may recline unexpectedly during remote unlock or start, risking injury to second-row passengers. This issue requires dealers to disable the seat module and replace the motor at no cost. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/464509-ford-explorer-2025-seats-risk-of-trapping-second-row-occupant.
“Ford Explorer 2025 Seats: Risk of Trapping Second Row Occupant.” GovInfoNow, updated September 14, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/464509-ford-explorer-2025-seats-risk-of-trapping-second-row-occupant. Based on NHTSA recall #26V470000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=26V470000).
Ford Motor Company recalled 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles due to seat hazards, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on July 21, 2026. Dealers will disable the driver seat module feature until parts are available. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2026.
How to tell if you have it
Ford Explorer, 2025-2027
Lincoln Aviator, 2025-2027
What to do
Dealers will disable the driver seat module (DSM) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
The hazard
An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start. This unexpected movement of the driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Ford Motor Company has 641 other recalls on record since January 29, 2010. Other recent recalls include the Ford 2021 Bronco Hard Top Recall (October 13, 2026) and the 2026 Ford Ranger Recall (September 22, 2026). NHTSA has received 102 owner complaints for the 2025 FORD EXPLORER, with the latest received on October 6, 2026.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your vehicle was manufactured between 2025 and 2027 and has the driver seat module feature. The recall was announced in September 2026 via owner notification letters.
Brand
Ford
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Contact Ford Customer Service
Call 1-866-436-7332 to schedule a free repair for the driver seat module.
Get Seat Module Repair
Dealers will disable the driver seat module feature and replace the motor at no cost once parts are available.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
Dealers will disable the driver seat module (DSM) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S53.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
Owners were mailed letters 44 days after NHTSA received the defect report.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Added to GovInfoNow
3Owner letters mailed
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on September 14, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.