Ford Recalls Nearly 80,000 SUVs Over Driver’s Seat Defect

Ford has announced a recall affecting nearly 80,000 SUVs after discovering a defect that could cause the driver’s seat to recline unexpectedly, potentially trapping passengers seated in the second row. The latest action adds to a growing number of recalls issued by the automaker in 2026, following recent notices involving moving seats and engine fire risks.

The recall applies to 2026 and 2027 model-year Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs. According to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the driver’s seat may recline without anyone occupying it when the vehicle is remotely unlocked or started. Regulators said the unintended seat movement could pin a second-row passenger, increasing the risk of injury.

Ford said it is still developing a repair for the issue and has not yet established a timetable for notifying affected owners. In the meantime, the company said vehicle owners can contact Ford for possible assistance. The automaker also stated that it is not aware of any crashes or injuries linked to the defect.

The latest notice marks Ford’s 61st recall in the United States this year, exceeding the combined total of the next three automakers. Federal data shows Chrysler has issued 24 recalls in 2026, followed by General Motors with 19 and Hyundai with 17. Ford also led the industry in 2025 with a record 153 recalls involving approximately 12.9 million vehicles, surpassing the combined totals of Chrysler, Forest River, General Motors and International Motors.

Ford has continued issuing recalls ranging from small campaigns to major safety actions throughout the year. Last week, the company recalled 315 Explorer and Aviator SUVs because second-row seats could move unexpectedly. It also recalled about 500,000 Bronco SUVs over a wiring defect that could increase the risk of an engine fire. Earlier recalls included more than 4 million vehicles due to a software issue affecting F-Series trucks, one of the largest vehicle recalls in U.S. history, and another 1.4 million F-150 pickups after Ford warned a defect could cause unexpected downshifting.