Ford Recall 26V-159: Seat belts

The problem

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.

The risk

A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix

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.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign	26V-159 (26V159000)
Manufacturer number	26C18
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Component	Seat belts
Report date	March 17, 2026
Owners notified	March 30, 2026
Vehicles affected	561
Initiated by	Manufacturer

Vehicles covered

Owner complaints about the seat belts

Frequently asked questions

Is the recall 26V-159 repair free?

Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem 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.

How do I know if my car is included?

Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 561 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.