Ford Recalls 35,772 Explorers Over Headlights That Could Glare at Drivers

Blinded by the Light

Nothing is more annoying than driving at night and encountering cars with blinding headlights. Some Ford Explorer owners, however, may not have control over their headlights after the automaker discovered that certain units equipped with dynamic bending lights could malfunction and glare at other road users.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) recall number 26V121, the affected vehicles were equipped with incorrect Headlight Control Module (HCM) software. As a result, the passenger-side headlight in the dynamic bending light system may turn in the wrong direction while the vehicle is traveling through curves, increasing glare for other road users. The issue could also reduce forward visibility for Explorer drivers, making roads with limited lighting more hazardous.

Such defects violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”

The Scope of the Issue

The safety campaign covers 35,772 units of the 2025–2026 Ford Explorer, with Blue Oval estimating that 100 percent of the vehicles may be affected. It is one of several recent recalls affecting the midsize SUV, including certain MY2026 examples with windshields that could detach.

As part of the remedy, Ford will send an over-the-air (OTA) update to correct the HCM software and ensure the dynamic bending lights turn in the proper direction. Affected owners may also visit Ford or Lincoln dealerships to have the software corrected. The fix will be carried out at no cost to owners.

Ford’s Recall Strategy

Ford will begin notifying affected owners between March 23 and March 27, 2026, with VINs expected to become searchable starting March 19.

Despite having so many recalls, the company argues that this strategy is for the better. Since 2020, almost its entire lineup has been recalled, except for the Ford GT. The brand even set an unwanted record by registering 153 safety campaigns in 2025, the most it has ever issued in a single year. According to the company, it is taking a more proactive approach to addressing potential issues and has even hired a larger team of experts to do so.

While that claim may be open to interpretation, Ford has issued 19 recalls as of this writing. That figure already stands in stark contrast to General Motors, which has the second-highest recall count among major automakers at six, followed by Toyota and Hyundai, according to NHTSA's online database.

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