Quick Answer (TL;DR)
Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2025 FORD EXPLORER vehicles — because hard parts internal/mechanical (NHTSA campaign 26V343000, reported May 27, 2026). The remedy: dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. If the defect persists after the fix, or your dealer can't complete the repair within 30 days, you may qualify for a buyback, replacement, or cash compensation under your state's lemon law.
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Recall at a Glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| NHTSA Campaign | 26V343000 |
| Date Reported | May 27, 2026 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Affected Vehicles | Pending NHTSA publication |
| Model Years | 2025 |
| Models Covered | FORD EXPLORER |
| Defect | Hard Parts Internal/mechanical |
| Safety Consequence | A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. |
| Remedy | Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed June 15, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S35. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 28, 2026. |
| FORD Customer Service | 1-800-392-3673 |
| Lemon Law Severity | STANDARD |
What Is the Defect?
Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2025 FORD EXPLORER vehicles. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The Safety Consequence
A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. NHTSA classifies this as a safety-of-life issue. The remedy must be completed by an authorized FORD dealer; owners should not delay scheduling the fix.
The Manufacturer's Remedy
Ford Motor Company will provide the following remedy free of charge: dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Owners may contact FORD customer service at 1-800-392-3673 — referencing NHTSA campaign 26V343000.
Owner Timeline — What to Expect (Weeks 1-4)
For most EXPLORER owners, the recall repair follows a predictable path. Here's the typical 30-day window — and where lemon-law rights start to apply if it goes off track:
Confirm your VIN at NHTSA.gov. If included, FORD mails an owner notification letter. Schedule the repair at any authorized FORD dealer.
Dealer performs the remedy (dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge). Save the repair order with date, mileage, technician notes, and recall campaign number.
Drive normally and watch for any return of the defect. Log mileage, location, and time of any incident.
If the defect returns, if dealer can't complete the fix within 30 days, or if a second repair fails — you may qualify under your state's lemon law. Call us.
Does This Qualify for Lemon Law?
A recall by itself does not automatically qualify a vehicle as a lemon. What matters is whether the defect is fixed after reasonable repair attempts. Most state lemon laws require:
- Substantial impairment to safety, value, or use of the vehicle (the hard parts internal/mechanical clearly qualifies)
- A reasonable number of repair attempts (typically 3-4 for the same issue, or 1-2 for safety defects)
- OR 30+ cumulative days out of service for warranty repairs
- The defect persists despite the manufacturer's attempt to fix
Recall 26V343000 helps a lemon-law claim two ways: (1) the recall itself is documented evidence the defect exists, and (2) if the manufacturer's remedy doesn't permanently fix the hard parts internal/mechanical — or introduces a new problem — that failed remedy is exactly what lemon law was designed to address. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act adds an additional layer of protection that typically requires the manufacturer to pay your attorney fees.
Your Lemon Law Rights by State
Easy Lemon represents EXPLORER owners nationwide. Lemon-law statutes vary by state — here are key jurisdictions where we have deep state-court experience:
Texas
24 months / 24K miles. 4 repair attempts (or 2 for serious safety defects).
Arizona
24 months / 24K miles. 4 repair attempts or 30+ days out of service. Safety defects: 2 attempts..
New York
24 months / 18K miles. 4 repair attempts or 30+ days out of service. Among the most consumer-friendly..
New Jersey
24 months / 24K miles. 3 repair attempts or 20+ days out of service. 6-year statute of limitations..
Free VIN Lookup — Is Your EXPLORER Affected?
Check your 17-character VIN against NHTSA campaign 26V343000
Enter your VIN below — we'll open the official NHTSA recall lookup in a new tab so you can verify whether your specific EXPLORER is covered.
Prefer to talk to a lemon-law attorney first? Get a free case review — we'll handle the VIN check and tell you whether you qualify under your state's lemon law.
What to Do Right Now
- Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls to confirm your 2025 FORD EXPLORER is included in campaign 26V343000.
- Schedule the recall repair at an authorized FORD dealer (1-800-392-3673). The repair is free of charge.
- Save every repair order. Get a paper or digital copy showing date, mileage, technician notes, and campaign number 26V343000.
- Document any incidents. If the defect returns after the recall fix, log the date, time, mileage, road conditions — and photos or video if safe. This evidence is critical for a lemon-law claim.
- Contact a lemon law attorney if the defect returns, if your dealer can't complete the fix within 30 days, or if your VIN is on a do-not-drive list. Get a free case review here.
Past FORD Lemon-Law Settlements
Easy Lemon has recovered millions for FORD owners nationwide. Three representative outcomes:
Easy Lemon — No Cost Case Review
Easy Lemon represents vehicle owners nationwide, with deep state-court experience in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, New York, and New Jersey. No upfront fees. When we win, Ford Motor Company typically pays our attorney fees under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
Call 1-855-435-3666 or submit your case online — VIN check is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2026 FORD EXPLORER hard parts internal/mechanical recall covered by lemon law?
Yes, if the defect substantially impairs the safety, value, or use of your 2025 FORD EXPLORER and cannot be repaired after reasonable attempts. NHTSA campaign 26V343000 itself is documented evidence the hard parts internal/mechanical exists — strengthening any lemon-law claim under state law and federal Magnuson-Moss.
What if my FORD dealer can't perform the recall repair?
If Ford Motor Company or its dealer network cannot complete the dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge for recall 26V343000 within roughly 30 cumulative days, that delay can independently qualify the vehicle under state lemon law as an inability-to-repair — even if you never had a failed repair attempt.
Do I need to complete the recall repair before filing a lemon-law claim?
In most cases, yes. Courts and arbitrators expect Ford Motor Company to be given an opportunity to cure the defect. Recommended path: complete the dealer's recall repair first, document each visit, and file a lemon-law claim only if the defect persists or the dealer can't perform the fix within 30 days.
How much can I recover under FORD lemon law for the 26V343000 recall?
Three outcomes are common for owners of the affected 2025 FORD EXPLORER: a manufacturer buyback (full purchase price minus a mileage-use deduction), a comparable replacement vehicle, or cash compensation if you keep the vehicle. Federal Magnuson-Moss claims can also recover attorney fees — typically paid by Ford Motor Company, not by you.
How do I check if my EXPLORER VIN is affected by recall 26V343000?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your VIN is included in NHTSA campaign 26V343000, you'll see the open recall listed. You can also call FORD customer service at 1-800-392-3673 with your VIN, or use the free VIN check on the Easy Lemon contact page to learn about your lemon-law rights.
How long do I have to file a lemon-law claim for the EXPLORER recall?
Statute of limitations varies by state: Florida and Texas typically allow 4 years from the manufacturer's last repair attempt, Georgia 1-2 years, Arizona 4 years, New York 4 years, and New Jersey 6 years. Federal Magnuson-Moss claims may extend the window. Document every repair visit for the 26V343000 fix and contact a lemon-law attorney early to preserve your rights.
What is the remedy for the FORD EXPLORER recall 26V343000?
Ford Motor Company's remedy is: dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. The fix is provided free of charge under federal recall law. If the remedy fails to fix the hard parts internal/mechanical, that failed remedy strengthens your lemon-law case — keep the dealer's repair order and any post-repair incident logs.
Does the hard parts internal/mechanical count as a safety defect?
Yes. NHTSA classifies the hard parts internal/mechanical as a safety issue: a sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.. Safety defects typically qualify for lemon-law relief faster than non-safety issues — most state statutes require fewer repair attempts (often just 2) for documented safety defects.
Affected by the FORD EXPLORER recall? Get a free case review.
No upfront fees. When we win, Ford Motor Company typically pays our fees under federal Magnuson-Moss law.
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