2024 Ford Explorer Transmission Recall (26V371)
Ford Motor Company · 58 vehicles · Reported June 9, 2026
Ford Motor Company is recalling 58 2024 Ford Explorer vehicles. 3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage. A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 26V371 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 26V371000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 26S39 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | June 9, 2026 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2024 Ford Explorer |
| Units affected | 58 |
| Build dates | January 3, 2024 to April 25, 2024 |
| Component | Power Train > Automatic Transmission |
| Safety risk | A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2024 Ford Explorer in recall 26V371?
3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
Is it safe to drive a 2024 Explorer with recall 26V371?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the automatic transmission.
Which vehicles are included in recall 26V371?
Recall 26V371 covers 58 vehicles: 2024 Ford Explorer.
NHTSA lists 58 vehicles in this campaign, built January 3, 2024 to April 25, 2024. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Ford | Explorer |
What is the fix for the Explorer transmission recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect for park system damage and replace the park system components as necessary, free of charge.
Dealers will inspect for park system damage and replace the park system components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S39. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 12, 2026.
When was recall 26V371 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 26V371 to NHTSA on June 9, 2026. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as June 24, 2026.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| January 3, 2024 | First affected vehicle built (per Ford Motor Company's filing). |
| April 25, 2024 | Last affected vehicle built. |
| June 9, 2026 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 26V371000. |
| June 24, 2026 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 3 months ago, and vehicles were built over a span of 113 days. 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 26V371?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 26V371 is open on your Explorer, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 26V371000 is open on your Explorer, it will be listed there, along with Ford recall number 26S39. You can also ask any Ford dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Explorer owners do about recall 26V371?
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 26V371000 applies to your Explorer.
- Call a Ford dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Write down when symptoms involving the automatic transmission 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 21 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 1 of them about the transmission.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the transmission have been filed since recall 26V371 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 21 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 1 of them involve the transmission. 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.
- 2024 Ford Explorer: 21 complaints in total, 1 about the transmission
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
Hello, I bought 2024 ford explore in Aug 2024 with a few hundred miles on it!! Now two months down the road with 5500miles on it, it is jerking real hard when driving or passing vehicles and slowing down!! The drive mode is in normal at all times.
2024 Ford Explorer owner, AR, NHTSA complaint 11619992, filed October 15, 2024
Can recall 26V371 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 26V371000 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))?
Transmission problems tend to come back. Harsh shifts, slipping, delayed engagement and sudden loss of drive power often return after a dealer reflashes software or replaces a part, and each return trip to the dealer is another repair attempt on the record.
This campaign follows an earlier recall for the same issue. A second recall can mean the first remedy failed, and repeated repair attempts on the same defect are the core of most lemon law claims.
Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 23V070000.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
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 typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
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 26V371
Is the 26V371000 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 June 24, 2026.
How do I know if my Explorer is part of recall 26V371000?
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.
Will a transmission software update fix the problem for good?
Sometimes. Many owners report that shifting problems return after an update. If yours does, go back to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up.
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.
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 26V371000 (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.