2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator Windshield Wiper Recall (26V204)

Recall 26V204 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator in recall 26V204?

The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.

Is it safe to drive a 2021-2023 Navigator with recall 26V204?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a 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 linkages.

Which vehicles are included in recall 26V204?

Recall 26V204 covers 422,613 vehicles: 2021-2023 Ford Expedition; 2022-2023 Ford F-250 SD; 2022-2023 Ford F-350 SD; 2022-2023 Ford F-450 SD; 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator.

NHTSA lists 422,613 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Navigator windshield wiper recall?

Yes. Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge.

Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S24.Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 1, 2026.

When was recall 26V204 announced?

Ford Motor Company reported recall 26V204 to NHTSA on March 31, 2026. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as August 5, 2026.

This recall was filed 6 months ago. If your Navigator was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Navigator is part of recall 26V204?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 26V204 is open on your Navigator, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 26V204000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should Navigator owners do about recall 26V204?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 26V204000 applies to your Navigator.
2. Call a Lincoln dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the linkages happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are Navigator owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 820 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 32 of them about the lighting and visibility.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the lighting and visibility have been filed since recall 26V204 was reported (4) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 820 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 32 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.

• 2021 Ford Expedition: 235 complaints in total, 13 about the lighting and visibility
• 2022 Ford F-250 SD: 123 complaints in total, 4 about the lighting and visibility
• 2022 Ford Expedition: 113 complaints in total, 6 about the lighting and visibility
• 2022 Ford F-350 SD: 111 complaints in total, 3 about the lighting and visibility
• 2023 Ford Expedition: 64 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility
• 2023 Ford F-250 SD: 43 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility
• 2023 Ford F-350 SD: 41 complaints in total, 2 about the lighting and visibility
• 2021 Lincoln Navigator: 33 complaints in total, 2 about the lighting and visibility

A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):

LED Daytime Running Light on passenger side headlight is fading and has purple hue at times. This presents poor visibility to other vehicles and can create confusion due to inconsistent appearance for oncoming traffic.

2021 Ford Expedition owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11684484, filed September 2, 2025

Passenger side front headlight failure. The LED turns purple. Appears this is a common problem on vehicle with this type of headlight assembly F series as well. Dealers claim they don't know about it but a quick search to find its a common issue. Available for inspection.

2021 Ford Expedition owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11625916, filed November 18, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the moonroof. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V729000 (Visibility).

2021 Ford Expedition owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11722526, filed March 6, 2026

Can recall 26V204 make my Navigator 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 26V204000 does not automatically make your Navigator 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))?

Lighting and visibility defects, such as headlights that fail, wipers that stop or mirrors that do not work, reduce your ability to see and be seen. They are often electrical, and they often come back.

This is not the first recall for this problem. When a manufacturer has to recall the same linkages again, that suggests the earlier fix did not work. If your 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator has had this repair more than once, keep every repair order.

Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 22V250000.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Navigator 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.

Frequently asked questions about recall 26V204