Dealers have been instructed to replace affected windshields using the correct urethane application. Windshields on certain 2026 Ford Explorers may not be properly sealed.
Ford is kicking off 2026 much like it wrapped up 2025, dealing with yet another set of recalls. Just last week, the automaker urged nearly half a million owners across several models to stop using their engine block heaters in the middle of winter.
Now, Ford has added two more recalls in the United States, each addressing a different safety issue. The small consolation for Ford is that neither recall involves a large volume of vehicles.
The first recall centers on the updated 2026 Ford Explorer. According to Ford, the urethane used to bond the windshield to the SUV’s body may not have been applied correctly. As a result, the affected vehicles do not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and could present a serious safety concern if the problem is not corrected.
Ford says that in the event of a crash, a poorly bonded windshield could detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury to occupants. The company also notes that drivers may notice excessive wind noise or water leaks, both signs of an inadequate seal caused by the faulty urethane application.
This particular recall affects only eight examples of the 2026 Explorer, all of which were manufactured during a very short production window between October 19 and October 20, 2025.
Owners are expected to be notified of the issue before January 30 and will be instructed to bring their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealership. Dealers have been directed to install a new windshield and ensure the urethane is applied correctly. Ford says it has not received any reports of crashes or injuries linked to the issue.
The second recall involves the 2025 Ford F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis, which is commonly used as the foundation for delivery vehicles and food trucks. Also included is the 2025 Ford F-53 chassis, widely used in motorhome applications.
In these vehicles, the brake lights may fail to illuminate when the brake pedal is pressed, or they could illuminate even when the pedal is not being used. Ford traced the issue back to incorrectly revised installation instructions, which may have resulted in stop lamp switches being installed improperly during assembly.
This recall affects 146 F-59 units built between September 29 and October 13, 2025, as well as 85 F-53 units produced between September 29 and October 10. Dealers have been instructed to replace the stop lamp switch and verify that it is functioning correctly before returning the vehicles to their owners.
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