NHTSA campaign 26V159000 · Ford campaign 26C18
Ford and Lincoln Recall 26V-159: Improperly Secured Seat Belt Anchors
NHTSA recall 26V159000 (Ford campaign 26C18) was reported by Ford Motor Company on March 17, 2026, with 561 vehicles potentially affected (per NHTSA). NHTSA's record lists the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator for model years 2020–2026. Owners were notified on March 30, 2026, per NHTSA.
Updated daily from NHTSA's recall files
Is my vehicle included?
This page lists, by model year, the vehicles NHTSA's recall record names for campaign 26V159000 in the model years try.vin imports (1995 and later); NHTSA's own record can list more. A model year on the list doesn't mean every vehicle of that year is included, and some may already have been repaired.
To see whether a specific vehicle is included and still needs the repair, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Free VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Key facts
- NHTSA campaign
- 26V159000 (also written 26V-159 or 26V159)
- Filed by
- Ford Motor Company
- Ford campaign number
- 26C18
- Report received
- Potentially affected
- 561 vehicles (per NHTSA)
- Component
- Seat Belts
- Owners notified
- Safety standard
- FMVSS 210
Repair completion: 31.55% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
NHTSA cautions against comparing completion rates across recalls or manufacturers. How try.vin reads them.
Vehicles listed for this recall
NHTSA's recall record lists these vehicles for recall 26V159000. try.vin imports model years 1995 and later, so NHTSA's own list can be longer. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to it. Build dates are NHTSA's range for a model year (per NHTSA); a vehicle built in that range is not necessarily included.
Ford
Ford Explorer
Lincoln
Lincoln Aviator
NHTSA's recall notice
As NHTSA's recall record states it for campaign 26V159000.
Defect description
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Safety consequence
A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
Sources
Official NHTSA notice for recall 26V159000
Campaign details come from NHTSA's recall files, which try.vin imports once a day. The plain-language subject and the completion rate come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Recalls Data dataset. How try.vin reads recall data.