2025-2026 Ford Explorer Headlight Recall (26V121)
Ford Motor Company · 35,772 vehicles · Reported March 3, 2026
Ford Motor Company is recalling 35,772 2025-2026 Ford 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." A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Recall 26V121 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 26V121000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 26C12 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | March 3, 2026 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2025-2026 Ford Explorer |
| Units affected | 35,772 |
| Component | Exterior Lighting > Headlights |
| Safety risk | A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Over-the-air software update |
What is wrong with the 2025-2026 Ford Explorer in recall 26V121?
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.
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."
Is it safe to drive a 2025-2026 Explorer with recall 26V121?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Explorer shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the headlights, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 26V121?
Recall 26V121 covers 35,772 vehicles: 2025-2026 Ford Explorer.
NHTSA lists 35,772 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | Ford | Explorer |
What is the fix for the Explorer headlight recall?
Yes. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
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.
When was recall 26V121 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 26V121 to NHTSA on March 3, 2026. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as March 23, 2026.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| November 23, 2025 | Last affected vehicle built. |
| March 3, 2026 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 26V121000. |
| March 23, 2026 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 7 months ago. If your Explorer was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Explorer is part of recall 26V121?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 26V121 is open on your Explorer, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2025-2026 Explorer vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Explorer owners do about recall 26V121?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 26V121000 applies to your Explorer.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ford dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the headlights happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Explorer owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 139 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 5 of them about the lighting and visibility.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the lighting and visibility have been filed since recall 26V121 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 139 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 5 of them involve the lighting and visibility. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2025 Ford Explorer: 101 complaints in total, 5 about the lighting and visibility
- 2026 Ford Explorer: 38 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
My vehicle originally showed more than 10 open safety recalls in the FordPass app and at the servicing dealer. I saved screenshots of each recall. After Ford performed a remote over-the-air software update, all but one recall suddenly disappeared from the app even though no physical repairs were done and no documentation was provided.
2025 Ford Explorer owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11703494, filed December 6, 2025
First, we took this vehicle to a dealer because the rear window buttons were not working. They wouldn't roll down.
2025 Ford Explorer owner, VA, NHTSA complaint 11709936, filed January 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the doors and windows. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired.
2025 Ford Explorer owner, NJ, NHTSA complaint 11646004, filed March 3, 2025
Can recall 26V121 make my Explorer a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 26V121000 does not automatically make your Explorer a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
A headlight, wiper or visibility defect on the 2025-2026 Ford Explorer can make night or rain driving unsafe, and repeat repairs for the same problem count toward a lemon law claim.
Because the remedy is an over-the-air update, there may be no repair order unless you take the 2025-2026 Ford Explorer in. If the symptom continues after the update, get it documented at the dealer so it counts.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Explorer went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Explorer been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford Explorer recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 26V121
Is the 26V121000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed March 23, 2026.
How do I know if my Explorer is part of recall 26V121000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 26V121000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.