Ford · model year 2026
2026 Ford Explorer
Specifications and certified data for the 2026 model year. All Ford Explorer model years →
2026 UK builds, engines & trims
| Build | Engine | Fuel | Gearbox | Power hp | CO₂ g/km | MPG | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | — | Electric | Automatic | 240 | 0 | — | Dossier |
| Hybrid | — | Hybrid | Automatic | 195 | 105 | — | Dossier |
| Petrol | — | Petrol | Automatic | 170 | 155 | — | Dossier |
UK Vehicle Certification Agency fuel & emissions data and ACS catalogue records, Open Government Licence v3.0, VCA ↗.
2026 US EPA fuel-economy records
| Year | Engine | Drive | Transmission | Fuel | MPG (US) comb. | CO₂ g/mi | EV range mi | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.3 L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | Regular | 24 | 377 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2026 | 2.3 L 4-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | Regular | 23 | 394 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2026 | 2.3 L 4-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | Regular | 21 | 424 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2026 | 3.0 L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | Regular | 21 | 423 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2026 | 3.0 L 6-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | Regular | 20 | 439 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2026 | 3.0 L 6-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | Regular | 19 | 467 | — | EPA ↗ |
US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle), fueleconomy.gov ↗, US government public domain.
US NHTSA safety ratings
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 FORD EXPLORER GAS SUV N/A 4WD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2026 FORD EXPLORER GAS SUV N/A RWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2026 FORD EXPLORER HEV SUV HEV 4WD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2026 FORD EXPLORER HEV SUV HEV RWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (US government, public domain). US-market versions; not the same tests as Euro NCAP.
US safety recalls
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26V581000 2026-09-09 · model years 2026
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. The active vent on the passenger side may not open as intended, preventing the air bag from deploying properly.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is…
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26V548000 2026-08-25 · model years 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026. Additional letters will be…
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26V532000 2026-08-13 · model years 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine. The engine connecting rod bearings may seize, which can result in engine failure.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine long blocks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S58.…
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26V470000 2026-07-21 · model years 2025, 2026, 2027
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.
Remedy: Dealers will disable the driver seat module (DSM) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September…
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26V451000 2026-07-14 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim…
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26V415000 2026-06-30 · model years 2025, 2026, 2027
BACK OVER PREVENTION:WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2027 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid and 2025-2027 Explorer Hybrid vehicles. A software error may prevent the vehicle from making the pedestrian warning sound at certain speeds.
Remedy: Note: This is an expansion of Recall 25V691. Any vehicles previously repaired under 25V691 must have the new remedy completed. Ford will release an over-the-air (OTA) update or dealers will update the APIM software,…
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26V343000 2026-05-27 · model years 2025, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in…
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26V205000 2026-03-31 · model years 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles. The engine piston circlips may have been incorrectly installed during manufacturing, which can result in piston failure and engine damage, leading to a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or mis-installed circlips and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service…
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26V202000 2026-03-31 · model years 2026
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system may fail, which can cause the defrosting and defogging system to become inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure the instrument panel joints as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number…
NHTSA recalls database (US government, public domain). Recalls apply to US-market vehicles; check the manufacturer for your country.
Generation in 2026
Sources
- UK VCA fuel & emissions data — https://carfueldata.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk/Open Government Licence v3.0
- US EPA / DOE FuelEconomy.gov — https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ws/index.shtmlUS Government public domain
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API — https://api.nhtsa.gov/SafetyRatingsUS Government public domain
- NHTSA recalls database — https://www.nhtsa.gov/recallsUS Government public domain
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.