GROUNDWORK — 26V451000: Airbags, seat belts and seats recall for FORD EXPLORER / LINCOLN AVIATOR FORD EXPLORER / LINCOLN AVIATOR: check the listed vehicles, the reported issue and the manufacturer remedy for 26V451000. Keep the official status and service answers in one private record. Campaign: 26V451000 Official record checked: 2026-10-19T20:36:38.806Z Official campaign: https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/campaignNumber?campaignNumber=26V451000 Official VIN lookup: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls LISTED VEHICLES (VIN confirmation required) 2024 FORD EXPLORER 2022 LINCOLN AVIATOR 2027 LINCOLN AVIATOR 2021 FORD EXPLORER 2026 FORD EXPLORER 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR 2020 FORD EXPLORER 2020 LINCOLN AVIATOR 2022 FORD EXPLORER 2025 FORD EXPLORER 2025 LINCOLN AVIATOR 2024 LINCOLN AVIATOR 2023 LINCOLN AVIATOR 2023 FORD EXPLORER 2026 LINCOLN AVIATOR OFFICIAL REPORTED ISSUE Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly. OFFICIAL REPORTED CONSEQUENCE A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. OFFICIAL REPORTED REMEDY Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026. OWNER PREPARATION Use vehicle documents and existing service records. Leave airbag, belt and seat disassembly or deployment testing to the service provider. REMEDY TIMING IN THE DATED SOURCE The source describes a phased campaign The official record describes phases for the campaign, notifications or remedy. Ask which phase covers this VIN, model year and equipment, and what arrangements are available now. A past phase date does not establish current availability. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Current availability for your VIN: unconfirmed. YOUR SERVICE QUESTIONS 1. Does the manufacturer confirm that campaign 26V451000 applies to this VIN, including the report’s equipment and production restrictions? A matching model and year is only a starting point. The official lookup or manufacturer must establish the individual vehicle’s status. Discussion status / answer: __________ 2. Which reported phase applies to this VIN, model year and equipment, and what remedy and interim instructions are available now? The official record describes phases for the campaign, notifications or remedy. Ask which phase covers this VIN, model year and equipment, and what arrangements are available now. A past phase date does not establish current availability. Discussion status / answer: __________ 3. Which seating position or restraint component is included, and does the manufacturer give any interim occupancy instruction for this VIN? Compare the answer with the reported component: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY. Discussion status / answer: __________ 4. If an inspection determines which work is needed, what was inspected, what was found, and which corrective work followed? Ask for the inspection result as well as the final action. A parts list alone may not describe an inspection-based remedy. Discussion status / answer: __________ 5. Which items in the reported replacement remedy for 26V451000 were replaced, and are they identified on the work order? Keep the replaced items and the campaign number together so that a later visit can distinguish recall work from other repairs. Discussion status / answer: __________ 6. How does this campaign relate to 25V393000, and does work recorded under an earlier campaign satisfy the current remedy? Show any earlier work order. Related recall numbers can describe expanded or repeated work; ask the manufacturer to reconcile the records. Discussion status / answer: __________ 7. What dated document records the remedy performed under 26V451000, and what should I do if the reported concern remains? Keep campaign completion and unresolved symptoms as separate questions. A saved worksheet or booked appointment does not establish a repair. Discussion status / answer: __________ OFFICIAL LOOKUP DECISIONS Not checked or unavailable: eligibility remains unconfirmed; use the official lookup or manufacturer. Campaign listed as open: confirm current instructions, availability and remedy arrangements. Campaign not listed as open: reconcile repair history and lookup coverage with the manufacturer if needed. A zero-open result does not diagnose symptoms. Work order records completed recall work: keep the exact campaign and dated remedy record; report unresolved symptoms separately. YOUR RECORD Check date: __________ Official lookup result: __________ Service arrangement: __________ Existing observation: __________ Questions and work-order notes (no VIN or plate needed): __________ LOOKUP LIMITS A model/year match does not establish VIN eligibility. The official lookup may omit completed recalls, some recent campaigns or recalls outside its coverage. The listed defect does not prove the cause of a symptom on your vehicle. This guide supports owner preparation and does not provide a repair procedure.