Recall 26V451 affects 387,911 2020-2027 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles for sticking second-row seat switches. Repair will be free once available.
Lincoln is recalling 387,911 2020-2027 Aviator and Explorer vehicles because the easy-entry switch for the second-row outer seats can bind or stick. The seat can unlatch, tip, or slide unexpectedly and fail to restrain an occupant in a crash; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The easy-entry switch bezel is the trim frame around the button for the outer second-row seats in 2020-2027 Aviator and Explorer vehicles. That button releases the seat so it tips and slides forward for access to the back row. When the button is not being pressed, the seat should stay latched in its normal riding position.
On affected vehicles, the bezel can shift out of position. If it moves far enough, it interferes with the switch button and leaves the button sticking, including in the down position. A stuck button can command the seat to unlatch, tip, or slide when no one asked it to move.
The warning sign is a button that stays down. You also can notice that the easy-entry feature stops working correctly, or that the seat will not return to its normal position after you use the feature.
Who's affected?
Spans Aviator SUVs from 2020-2027 and Explorer SUVs from 2020-2026, all tied to the same seat assembly switch bezel.
| 2020 Lincoln Aviator | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2021 Lincoln Aviator | seat assembly |
| 2022 Lincoln Aviator | seat assembly |
| 2023 Lincoln Aviator | seat assembly |
| 2024 Lincoln Aviator | seat assembly |
| 2025 Lincoln Aviator | seat assembly |
| 2026 Lincoln Aviator | seat assembly |
| 2027 Lincoln Aviator | seat assembly |
| 2026 Ford Explorer | seat assembly |
| 2020 Ford Explorer | seat assembly |
| 2021 Ford Explorer | seat assembly |
| 2022 Ford Explorer | seat assembly |
| 2023 Ford Explorer | seat assembly |
| 2024 Ford Explorer | seat assembly |
| 2025 Ford Explorer | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 387,911 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A seat that moves unexpectedly can leave an occupant improperly restrained during a crash, increasing injury risk. A stuck easy entry button is a warning sign, especially if the seat will not return to its normal position. Use caution and contact a Lincoln dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Lincoln dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2027 Lincoln Aviator or Explorer is included in this recall.
- Watch for Lincoln's interim safety letter expected July 27, 2026, then the remedy letter once repairs open.
- Contact a franchised Lincoln dealer after the remedy opens to schedule the free switch-bezel inspection and replacement that fixes the second-row seat unlatching risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Lincoln has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 26V451 when you call.
- Avoid using the easy-entry second-row outer seat switch until the inspection is complete.
What happens at the repair
Once the remedy opens, a Lincoln technician will inspect and replace the bezel around the easy-entry second-row seat switch as needed. The final dealer repair will be free once available; the source anticipates that repair notice in January 2027. For now, Lincoln will send interim letters explaining the safety risk. The manufacturer used its general reimbursement plan on file, so if you already paid for a related switch or seat-latch repair, ask customer service how to submit documentation for reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 14, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 16, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| July 16, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 16, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 27, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V451?
Recall 26V451 covers 387,911 2020-2027 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles with an easy-entry second-row seat switch that can bind or stick. The seat can unlatch, tip, or slide unexpectedly, which can reduce occupant restraint in a crash and increase injury risk.
What should I do if my 2020-2027 Lincoln Aviator or Explorer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 26V451. If it is, contact a franchised Lincoln dealer and reference recall 26V451 or Lincoln recall number 26S52. Dealers will inspect the seat-switch bezel and replace it when the remedy opens.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Lincoln dealers will inspect the easy-entry second-row seat switch bezel and replace the bezel free of charge once parts and repair instructions are available.
Is it safe to drive with recall 26V451 open?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety risk is tied to second-row outer seats that unlatch, tip, or slide unexpectedly, reducing occupant restraint in a crash. Check your VIN, avoid relying on a suspect seat, and schedule the free dealer repair once available.
When will Lincoln notify owners about recall 26V451?
Lincoln expects to mail interim owner letters on July 27, 2026, explaining the safety risk. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, with availability anticipated in January 2027. Used-vehicle owners still qualify for the free recall repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V451000 |
|---|---|
| Lincoln customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V451 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V451000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on July 26, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →