Lemon Law · Model-year problems
2026 Ford Explorer
What owners of this model year report to the federal safety regulator, the repair attempts that make a California lemon law claim, and what a buyback covers.
What owners report
On file for 2026 Ford Explorer
Public defect-investigation and recall notices on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If any of these describe your vehicle and the manufacturer's repair has not fixed it, Song-Beverly may apply.
- 26V581000 · Air bags: frontal · reported 9 September 2026 An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash. Read campaign 26V581000 at nhtsa.gov · the full record on this site
- 26V548000 · Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical · reported 25 August 2026 An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. Read campaign 26V548000 at nhtsa.gov · the full record on this site
- 26V532000 · Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical · reported 13 August 2026 · owner letters mailed 25 August 2026 Engine failure can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing oil to leak, increasing the risk of a fire. Read campaign 26V532000 at nhtsa.gov · the full record on this site
- 26V470000 · Seats: front assembly: power adjust · reported 21 July 2026 · owner letters mailed 3 September 2026 Unexpected movement of the driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury. Read campaign 26V470000 at nhtsa.gov · the full record on this site
- 26V451000 · Seats: mid/rear assembly · reported 14 July 2026 · owner letters mailed 21 August 2026 A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Read campaign 26V451000 at nhtsa.gov · the full record on this site
- 26V343000 · Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical · reported 27 May 2026 A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. Read campaign 26V343000 at nhtsa.gov · the full record on this site
- 26V205000 · Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical · reported 31 March 2026 · owner letters mailed 10 April 2026 An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. Read campaign 26V205000 at nhtsa.gov · the full record on this site
- 26V202000 · Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor · reported 31 March 2026 · owner letters mailed 10 April 2026 An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Read campaign 26V202000 at nhtsa.gov · the full record on this site
- 26V159000 · Seat belts · reported 17 March 2026 · owner letters mailed 30 March 2026 A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Read campaign 26V159000 at nhtsa.gov · the full record on this site
- 26V121000 · Exterior lighting: headlights · reported 3 March 2026 · owner letters mailed 23 March 2026 A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. Read campaign 26V121000 at nhtsa.gov · the full record on this site
The statute
When a warranty problem becomes a lemon
These are the presumptions in the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and the Tanner Consumer Protection Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22). Each applies when the defect is first reported, and the vehicle is presented for warranty repair, within 18 months of delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. They are presumptions, not predictions about any individual vehicle.
A
Two or more attempts (safety)
For a defect that could cause death or serious injury, reported within 18 months or 18,000 miles.
B
Four or more attempts
For the same non-safety warranty problem, reported within 18 months or 18,000 miles.
C
30 days out of service
Cumulative, for warranty repair, within 18 months or 18,000 miles.
Have an attorney read your 2026 Ford Explorer repair orders.
Start My Free Case ReviewAttorney Advertising disclaimer: Prior results do not predict or indicate a similar outcome in any future matter. The information on this page is general information about California law, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If your vehicle is unsafe to drive, stop driving it and call the firm on (619) 235-0137. Figures from the federal safety regulator's record are estimates taken from the record on the date shown.