by New Year, Familiar Problems
Automaker Ford is starting 2026 almost where it left off in 2025 – with another wave of recalls. Just last week, the company contacted nearly half a million owners of various models, warning them to stop using engine block heaters even in the middle of winter. Now, two more recalls have been added in the US, each related to separate safety issues. The only relatively good news for Ford is that neither recall involves a large number of vehicles.
Ford warned nearly half a million drivers to stop using engine block heaters in the middle of winter.
Windshield Issue in New Explorers
The first of the two recalls concerns the updated 2026 Ford Explorer. According to the company, the urethane sealant that secures the SUV’s windshield to the body may have been improperly applied. This means the vehicle does not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and could pose a serious risk if the issue is not addressed.
Risk of Detachment and Other Symptoms
Ford reports that in the event of a crash, the windshield may detach due to the defective sealant application, increasing the risk of injury to occupants. The company also notes that affected vehicles may exhibit more wind noise than usual and may have water leaks due to poor sealing.
This recall affects only eight examples of the 2026 Ford Explorer, all of which were manufactured during a short period between October 19 and 20, 2025.
Owners will be notified of the recall by January 30 and instructed to bring their Explorer to a Ford or Lincoln dealership. Dealers are ordered to install a new windshield, ensuring the urethane sealant is applied correctly. Fortunately, Ford has not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue.
Stop Lamp Malfunction in Commercial Chassis
The second recall concerns the 2025 Ford F-59 commercial chassis, often used as a base for delivery vans and food trucks. Also on the list is the 2025 F-53 chassis, which serves as the foundation for many motorhomes.
In both cases, there is a possibility that the stop lamps may not illuminate when the brake pedal is pressed, or they may remain lit even when the pedal is not touched. Ford discovered that the problem lies in incorrectly edited installation instructions, which could have led to the improper installation of the stop lamp switches during assembly.
This recall affects 146 F-59 units produced between September 29 and October 13, 2025, as well as 85 F-53 units manufactured between September 29 and October 10. Dealers are ordered to replace the stop lamp switch and confirm its proper operation before returning the vehicles to customers.
These events continue the trend where even a small number of potentially hazardous vehicles lead to official recalls, indicating high standards of quality control and safety in the modern automotive industry. Despite the small batch sizes, such preventive measures are critically important for maintaining consumer trust and preventing possible incidents. It is especially worth noting the manufacturer’s promptness in identifying problems at early stages, even before receiving reports of accidents, which demonstrates the effectiveness of internal monitoring systems.
