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Transport Canada + NRCan

2026 Ford Explorer

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

9

9 current

Combined

11.2L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$2,821

16,249 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs are almost always free. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number. Transport Canada’s own wording is that a manufacturer “will almost always make these repairs free of charge”, so being asked to pay for recall work is unusual and worth questioning. Since 2018 the Minister of Transport can order a company to pay for repairs so owners do not bear the cost.

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2026411 · manufacturer campaign 26S61

26 August 2026

Transport Canada lists: Bronco 2026 · Explorer 2026 · Mustang 2026 · Ranger 2026

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the engine pistons may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the pistons may crack and cause the engine to fail. If this happens, there could be a sudden loss of power to the wheels. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 1.5 L or 2.3 L engine.

Why it matters

A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine.

3,221 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Seats And Restraints

Transport Canada recall 2026340 · manufacturer campaign 26S53

14 July 2026

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2026–2027 · Aviator 2026–2027

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the driver's seat could recline on its own when using certain remote features including remote door unlocking, remote start and/or approaching the vehicle with the key fob. As a result, the second-row passenger could become trapped between the seat and the seatback. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with memory seats.

Why it matters

A seat that reclines on its own could increase the risk of injury and/or entrapment.

What the dealer will do

Ford will notify owners by mail. The corrective actions for this recall are under development.

9,564 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Seats And Restraints

Transport Canada recall 2026339 · manufacturer campaign 26S52

14 July 2026

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2020–2026 · Aviator 2020–2026

What is wrong

On certain vehicles the recall repairs completed by a Ford dealer during recall 25S67 (Transport Canada recall no. 2025-328) may not be effective. As a result, a second repair is required. On certain vehicles, the trim for the seat fold switch on the second-row outboard seats could become stuck. If this happens, the seat(s) could fold and/or move unexpectedly. Note: This recall replaces Transport Canada recall no. 2025-328. Vehicles that were repaired under that recall also require this repair.

Why it matters

A seat that folds and/or moves could increase the risk of injury in a crash.

What the dealer will do

Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the seat fold switch trim and housing for one with an improved design.

26,900 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2026258 · manufacturer campaign 26S35

27 May 2026

Transport Canada lists: Bronco 2025–2026 · Explorer 2025–2026 · Ranger 2025–2026

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the engine may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the engine could fail and cause a loss of power to the wheels. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 2.3 L engine.

Why it matters

A sudden loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the engine.

159 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Heater And Defroster

Transport Canada recall 2026159 · manufacturer campaign 26S22

1 April 2026

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2026 · Aviator 2026

What is wrong

On a small number of vehicles, the ground connection for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor may not have been secured properly. As a result, the defroster could stop working, and you may not be able to defog or defrost the windshield.

Why it matters

A windshield defroster/defogger that doesn't work could cause reduced visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, secure the ground connection(s) in the instrument panel.

5 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Seats And Restraints

Transport Canada recall 2026124 · manufacturer campaign 26C18

17 March 2026

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2020–2021, 2025–2026 · Police Interceptor Utility Explorer 2020–2021, 2025–2026 · Aviator 2020–2021, 2023–2026

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the second-row outboard seat belt anchor bolt(s) may be loose or missing. As a result, the seat belt(s) could detach in a crash.

Why it matters

A seat belt that detaches could increase the risk of injury in a crash.

What the dealer will do

Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, install, tighten or replace seat belt anchor bolt(s).

44 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVCompliance Mfr

Lights And Instruments

Transport Canada recall 2026099 · manufacturer campaign 26C12

3 March 2026

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2025–2026

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the right headlamp to become incorrectly aimed when turning the steering wheel. As a result, the vehicles may not meet certain requirements of Canadian regulations. Note: This recall only affects the Platinum models equipped with the dynamic bending light feature.

Why it matters

A headlamp that isn't aimed correctly could cause glare for oncoming drivers and could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the headlamp control module software.

3,296 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVCompliance Mfr

Structure

Transport Canada recall 2026019 · manufacturer campaign 26C02

21 January 2026

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2026

What is wrong

On a small number of vehicles, the windshield may not be properly attached and could separate from the vehicle in a crash.

Why it matters

A windshield that detaches in a crash could create an increased risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to reinstall the windshield.

5 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVCompliance Mfr

Structure

Transport Canada recall 2025548 · manufacturer campaign 25SA3

11 October 2025

Transport Canada lists: Explorer 2024–2026 · Police Interceptor Utility Explorer 2024–2026 · Aviator 2025

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the trailer hitch bolts may not have been tightened properly. As a result, the bolts could loosen and the hitch could detach from the vehicle. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with the trailer tow package.

Why it matters

A trailer hitch and/or towed trailer that detaches from a vehicle could create a road hazard for others and/or create the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, tighten or replace the trailer hitch bolts.

102 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Sport utility vehicle: Standard
In its class
More efficient than 41% of 226 2026 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
263 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 2026 Ford Explorer and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

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Common questions

Does the 2026 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 9 recalls on record for the 2026 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are almost always free at a manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 2026 Ford Explorer get?
NRCan rates the 2026 Ford Explorer at 11.2 L/100 km combined, emitting 263 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 4 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 2026 Ford Explorer for a year?
At 16,249 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $2,821 in fuel, producing roughly 4,204 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 17 September 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. These are average residential rates. A car’s charging is added on top of what your home already uses, so on a tiered, time-of-use or subsidised tariff it is billed at your top rate rather than this average — which makes the real cost higher, especially in the territories. Enter your own rate for an accurate figure. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.