Ford Recalls 288,000 Explorers Over Roof Rails That Can Fly Off at Highway Speeds

AUSTIN, TEXAS - JUNE 30: Ford Motor vehicles are displayed for sale at the Leif Johnson Ford dealership on June 30, 2026 in Austin, Texas. Ford Motor is recalling more than 700,000 vehicles from the 2018–2021 model years due to a transmission and parking system malfunction. The latest recall comes as the automaker has issued more recalls than any other manufacturer in 2025, affecting more than 10 million vehicles.

Ford issued a safety recall this week covering 288,314 model-year 2016–2019 Explorer SUVs whose roof rail covers can loosen and detach while the vehicle is moving — and owners who believe their SUV was already fixed under a prior recall may be wrong. Vehicles repaired with an epoxy adhesive under earlier programs are back on the list. Owners can confirm their recall status now by entering their 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — five weeks before the first notification letters arrive in August.

According to the NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V448 filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on July 14, 2026, a detached roof rail cover can separate from the vehicle at speed and become a flying road hazard for drivers following behind, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford is aware of one accident alleged to have been caused by a detaching cover on a vehicle that had already been repaired.