Ford is recalling 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles with potentially loose second-row seat belt anchor bolts that could increase injury risk during crashes. Owners should contact Ford for free repairs.
A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Ford is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles because second-row seat belt anchor bolts may be improperly secured, increasing injury risk during crashes. This recall requires dealers to inspect and repair the bolts at no cost to owners.
The second-row seat belt anchor bolts may not be securely fastened, which could allow the seat belt to fail during a crash. This might not properly restrain occupants, increasing the risk of injury or ejection from the vehicle.
Owners of 2020-2026 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles are affected. Drivers and passengers in the second row are most at risk if the seat belt anchor bolts are loose.
Check if your vehicle was mailed a recall notice in March 2026. The recall covers 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator models. The VINs for affected vehicles became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
Call 1-866-436-7332 to schedule a free inspection and repair of the seat belt anchor bolts.
Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary at no cost.
Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured, which could increase injury risk during a crash.
Your vehicle is affected if it was mailed a recall notice in March 2026 or if it's a 2020-2026 Ford Explorer or Lincoln Aviator.
The recall notice was mailed March 30, 2026, but dealers will inspect and repair the bolts at no cost as needed.
We’ve drafted a message you can send Ford to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 26V159000 — Ford Ford Hello, I own a Ford that is covered by recall 26V159000 from Ford. The official recall notice states: Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026. I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this? Thank you.
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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.
