Ford Recalls Nearly 80,000 Explorer and Aviator SUVs Over Power Seat Defect

The 2026–2027 Ford Explorer and 2026–2027 Lincoln Aviator are the latest vehicles affected by a major recall. Nearly 80,000 SUVs are equipped with a power driver's seat system that could unexpectedly recline the seatback—even when no one is behind the wheel.

Ford has announced a recall covering 79,579 SUVs because the driver's seatback may suddenly recline without warning. The issue can occur even when the vehicle is unoccupied, such as after remotely unlocking the doors, using remote start, or activating the memory seat function.

The concern is that passengers in the second row could be struck or pinned by the front seatback if it unexpectedly reclines. Ford says it has not received any reports of injuries, but the potential safety risk prompted the company to launch the recall.

Vehicles Included in the Recall

The recall covers 79,579 vehicles, including:

• 64,409 - 2026–2027 Ford Explorer SUVs
• 15,170 - 2026–2027 Lincoln Aviator SUVs

The affected vehicles were built between November 24, 2025, and June 27, 2026, and were equipped with the same driver's seat recline motor introduced during that production period.

What's Causing the Problem?

The issue does not involve the seat suddenly reclining while the vehicle is being driven. Instead, the driver's seatback can begin reclining on its own after the memory seat function is activated while the vehicle is unoccupied.

The problem can be triggered by several common actions, including remotely unlocking the vehicle, using remote start, approaching the SUV with the key fob, or recalling a saved seating position.

According to Ford, the seat recline motor may incorrectly detect the seatback's position during memory seat operation. As a result, the seat may continue moving rearward farther than intended, potentially contacting a rear-seat passenger. In some cases, the obstruction detection and seat reversal systems may not function properly, increasing the risk of someone being pinched or injured.

The investigation began after owners reported finding the driver's seat fully reclined immediately after unlocking their vehicles, despite no one being inside. Ford traced the issue to a recline motor supplied by a new vendor that the company began using in late 2025. The defect affects only Explorer and Aviator models equipped with that specific motor and a particular seat control software strategy.

As of June 26, Ford had received 133 customer reports related to the issue. The automaker says it is not aware of any crashes or injuries connected to the defect.

Ford is still developing a permanent repair. Owners will receive either a software update or replacement components once engineers determine the final fix. The company has not yet announced when owner notification letters will be mailed.

This is far from Ford's only recall this year. As of July 28, the automaker had recalled 13,518,991 vehicles in the United States across 61 separate recall campaigns during 2026. By comparison, the entire U.S. auto industry has issued 226 recalls covering 26,740,225 vehicles over the same period, meaning Ford accounts for more than half of all vehicles recalled nationwide.