Recall 26V159 covers 561 2020-2026 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles with loose second-row seat belt anchor bolts. Free repair at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 561 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles because second-row outer seat belt anchor bolts were not properly secured. If a buckle is loose, it can fail to properly restrain an occupant in a crash; Ford dealers will secure the anchor bolts free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolt holds the lower end of the seat belt to the vehicle body at the outside rear seating positions. In a 2020-2026 Explorer or Aviator, that anchor is part of what lets the belt stay tight against the passenger during a crash. The bolt has to be fully seated and tightened to the proper specification.
On affected vehicles, the lower anchor bolt was not secured correctly after an incomplete or improper repair at the assembly plant. That leaves the seat belt anchor loose or not installed the way Ford designed it. If the anchor is loose, the belt does not have the same fixed point to pull against when it needs to restrain a passenger.
Owners can notice a rattle from the second-row seat belt area when the lower anchor is not secure. That rattle is the warning sign to report when scheduling the recall inspection and repair.
Who's affected?
Spans Explorer and Aviator across 7 model years, with the same second-row outer seat belt assembly screw.
| 2020 Ford Explorer | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2021 Ford Explorer | seat belt |
| 2022 Ford Explorer | seat belt |
| 2023 Ford Explorer | seat belt |
| 2024 Ford Explorer | seat belt |
| 2025 Ford Explorer | seat belt |
| 2026 Ford Explorer | seat belt |
| 2020 Lincoln Aviator | seat belt |
| 2021 Lincoln Aviator | seat belt |
| 2022 Lincoln Aviator | seat belt |
| 2023 Lincoln Aviator | seat belt |
| 2024 Lincoln Aviator | seat belt |
| 2025 Lincoln Aviator | seat belt |
| 2026 Lincoln Aviator | seat belt |
| Units affected | 561 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific SUV.
What's the safety risk?
A loose seat belt buckle can fail to restrain an occupant properly during a crash, increasing injury risk. A rattle from the seat belt lower anchor is a warning sign that the anchor is not secure. Schedule the inspection soon and mention the rattle when you call. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2026 Ford Explorer or Lincoln Aviator is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free second-row seat belt anchor bolt inspection.
- Schedule the bolt repair or replacement that re-secures the second-row outer seat belt lower anchors and addresses the loose buckle risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 26V159 and Ford recall 26C18 when you call.
- Use extra care with second-row passengers until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the lower anchor bolts for the outer second row seat belts. If an anchor bolt is not secured correctly, the dealer repairs or replaces the affected hardware. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. If you've already paid out of pocket for a related seat belt anchor repair, Ford's general reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring repair paperwork to the dealer or contact Ford customer service for the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 17, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 19, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| March 19, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 19, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 30, 2026 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V159?
Recall 26V159 covers 561 2020-2026 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles with second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts that are improperly secured. A loose buckle can fail to properly restrain an occupant in a crash. Dealers will inspect and repair the anchor bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2026 Ford Explorer or Lincoln Aviator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 26V159. If it is, contact a franchised dealer to schedule the seat belt anchor bolt inspection and repair. Reference Ford recall number 26C18 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 26V159, dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced seat belt restraint in a crash. If a second-row outer seat belt buckle is loose, it can fail to properly hold an occupant during a collision, increasing injury risk. Confirm your VIN, then arrange the free dealer repair if your vehicle is included.
When were owners notified about this recall?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on March 30, 2026. VINs became searchable for this recall on March 19, 2026. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN and reference recall 26V159 or Ford number 26C18 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V159000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V159 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V159000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →