2026 Ford Explorer Recall: Engine (NHTSA 25V828000)

NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) issued a recall affecting 2026 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company. Below is the official summary, the risk involved, and the fix available at no cost.

Table of contents
  1. What does the official notice say?
  2. Risk if left unaddressed
  3. Manufacturer's fix (remedy)
  4. How to check if your vehicle is affected
  5. Frequently asked questions

What does the official notice say?

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.

Risk if left unaddressed

An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a fire. In addition, the loss of oil can result in engine seizure and loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer's fix (remedy)

Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still within dealership inventory and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 24, 2025.

How to check if your vehicle is affected

Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the official NHTSA lookup tool at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in this campaign (number 25V828000).

Frequently asked questions

What is NHTSA recall 25V828000?

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.

What happens if this recall isn't fixed?

An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a fire. In addition, the loss of oil can result in engine seizure and loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Is the repair free, and how do I check my VIN?

Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still within dealership inventory and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 24, 2025. Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in campaign 25V828000.

Source: public NHTSA data, campaign 25V828000, reported on 01/12/2025. This content is for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and is compiled and formatted automatically from official NHTSA data. Always confirm your vehicle's status directly at nhtsa.gov.

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