- The problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026-2027 Explorer Police Interceptor vehicles. A phantom "Global On" command in the overhead console may illuminate the map lights and prevent them from being turned off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 101, "Controls and Displays."
- The risk
- Overhead map lights that illuminate unintentionally and cannot be turned off may distract the driver or cause interior glare, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the overhead consoles on vehicles built prior to July 9, 2026. Dealers will inspect the overhead console for a "SW2" marking on vehicles built after July 9, 2026 and replace as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C50. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 6, 2026.
Vehicle safety record
2027 Ford Explorer Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2027 Ford Explorer have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in November 2026 for the interior lighting.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Explorer year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2027 Ford Explorer recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.
- The risk
- Unexpected movement of the driver's seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will disable the driver seat module (DSM) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S53.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 2027 Ford Explorer yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Ford Explorer: every year compared
All Explorer years2027 Ford Explorer vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Ford Explorer | 0 | 2 | C | |
| 2027 Hyundai Palisade | 4 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2027 Chevrolet Traverse | 1 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 2027 Kia Telluride | 0 | 2 | D | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2027 Ford Explorer
Does the 2027 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2027 Ford Explorer: interior lighting (November 2026); power adjust (July 2026). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2027 Ford Explorer had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2027 Ford Explorer a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Ford Explorer year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Ford Explorer years have the most complaints?
2002 (3,613), 2016 (2,466), 2015 (1,822). See every Ford Explorer year compared.
What should I do if my 2027 Ford Explorer has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data