The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released this morning (2 February 2026) two more Ford Motor {NYSE: F) safety defect recalls with descriptions from Ford required under as required by 49 CFR § 573. Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its previous handing of recalls. These recalls are the result of complicated and meticulous efforts by Ford Motor.*
The first recall, NHTSA ID Number 26V024 or 26V-024, involves 1016 model year 2026 Explorer SUVs. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212, “Windshield Mounting.”
“Ford’s team reviewed plant records to determine the population of affected parts. Affected vehicles are equipped with windshields that may have improperly applied urethane between the windshield glass and windshield frame. These vehicles are not produced in VIN order. Information as to the applicability of this action to specific vehicles can best be obtained by either calling Ford’s toll-free line (1-866-436-7332) or by contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer who can obtain specific information regarding the vehicles from the Ford On-line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS) database.
“Dealers will remove and replace the windshield, free charge [as required by Federal Safety Regulations – AutoCrat]. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 26C02. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 22, 2026,” Ford motor said.
The second recall, NHTSA ID Number 26V025 or 26V-025, affects 2025 F-59 and F-53 vehicles (Buses, Medium & Heavy Vehicles). The exterior brake lights may illuminate unexpectedly or fail to illuminate when the brake pedal is activated, due to an incorrectly installed switch. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”
“Cruise control de-activation may be too sensitive, or not sensitive enough to brake pedal actuation. Trailer-tow may also become inoperative,” Ford said in the filing.
“Dealers will replace the stop light switch, free of charge. [as required by Federal Safety Regulations – AutoCrat]. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 26C01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 22, 2026.
“Ford’s team reviewed plant records to determine the population of affected parts. F-59 vehicles were produced using the incorrect stop lamp switch installation process from September 29, 2025 through October 13, 2025.
“Affected vehicles are equipped with a stop lamp switch that may have been damaged during assembly due to the use of incorrect installation instructions. conversely, may illuminate without brake pedal actuation. Stop lamps that do not activate upon application of the service brakes fail to conform, in part, to Section S7.3.5, Table I.-a of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108 Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. This issue does not affect any other requirements stated within FMVSS 108 – Lamps, reflective requirements and associated equipment,” Ford said in the filing.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
More Ford Recalls – 2026 Explorer, 2025 F-59 and F-53 Vehicles
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released this morning (2 February 2026) two more Ford Motor {NYSE: F) safety defect recalls with descriptions from Ford required under as required by 49 CFR § 573. Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its previous handing of recalls. These recalls are the result of complicated and meticulous efforts by Ford Motor.*
The first recall, NHTSA ID Number 26V024 or 26V-024, involves 1016 model year 2026 Explorer SUVs. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212, “Windshield Mounting.”
“Ford’s team reviewed plant records to determine the population of affected parts. Affected vehicles are equipped with windshields that may have improperly applied urethane between the windshield glass and windshield frame. These vehicles are not produced in VIN order. Information as to the applicability of this action to specific vehicles can best be obtained by either calling Ford’s toll-free line (1-866-436-7332) or by contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer who can obtain specific information regarding the vehicles from the Ford On-line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS) database.
“Dealers will remove and replace the windshield, free charge [as required by Federal Safety Regulations – AutoCrat]. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 26C02. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 22, 2026,” Ford motor said.
The second recall, NHTSA ID Number 26V025 or 26V-025, affects 2025 F-59 and F-53 vehicles (Buses, Medium & Heavy Vehicles). The exterior brake lights may illuminate unexpectedly or fail to illuminate when the brake pedal is activated, due to an incorrectly installed switch. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”
“Cruise control de-activation may be too sensitive, or not sensitive enough to brake pedal actuation. Trailer-tow may also become inoperative,” Ford said in the filing.
“Dealers will replace the stop light switch, free of charge. [as required by Federal Safety Regulations – AutoCrat]. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 26C01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 22, 2026.
“Ford’s team reviewed plant records to determine the population of affected parts. F-59 vehicles were produced using the incorrect stop lamp switch installation process from September 29, 2025 through October 13, 2025.
“Affected vehicles are equipped with a stop lamp switch that may have been damaged during assembly due to the use of incorrect installation instructions. conversely, may illuminate without brake pedal actuation. Stop lamps that do not activate upon application of the service brakes fail to conform, in part, to Section S7.3.5, Table I.-a of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108 Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. This issue does not affect any other requirements stated within FMVSS 108 – Lamps, reflective requirements and associated equipment,” Ford said in the filing.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.