A recall of 288,314 Ford Explorers for roof rail covers that may detach.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Affected VINs should be searchable now at the NHTSA website.
Here is the relevant information from the NHTSA Recall notice:
NHTSA ID Number: 26V448
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Components: STRUCTURE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 288,314
Estimated percentage with defect: 1%
Descriptive Information
Affected vehicles are equipped with roof rail covers that may loosen over time, exhibiting a visible gap, developing a rattle, or detaching from the vehicle while in motion. Ford’s team reviewed repair records and plant assembly records to determine the population of affected vehicles. Ford’s process is capable of identifying individual 2016–2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with roof rails that were not included in Safety Recall 21V316/21S22.
These vehicles are not produced in VIN order. Information as to the applicability of this action to specific vehicles can best be obtained by either calling Ford’s toll-free line (1-866-436-7332) or by contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer who can obtain specific information regarding the vehicles from the Ford On-line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS) database.
288,314 Ford Explorer vehicles are affected.
Description of defect or noncompliance:
The roof rail covers may become loose and detach from the vehicle while it is in motion.
Description of the safety risk, including crash, fire, death, injury:
A detached roof rail trim cover can separate from the vehicle while in motion, creating a road hazard for other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash.
Description of the cause:
For vehicles previously repaired under customer satisfaction program 20N11 using epoxy/adhesive, the repair process was repair technician-sensitive. In some instances, damaged retention clips may not have been replaced and/or the correct epoxy/adhesive location, quantity, or cure conditions were not achieved.
For vehicles with plated covers, as the parts have aged, they may have experienced additional heat cycles and wear resulting in potentially loosening of retention clips.
Identification of any warning that can occur:
Vehicles with this condition may exhibit increased wind noise and/or squeaks and rattles as the roof rail cover begins to loosen. A visible gap or misalignment between the roof rail cover and the roofline may develop.
Chronology
Customer satisfaction 20N11, approved at Ford’s Field Review Committee (FRC) meeting of November 20, 2020, provided for a one-time repair under an extended warranty to address roof rail covers that could become loose, show a visible gap, rattle or detach for 2016 – 2019 Model Year Explorer vehicles. These vehicles were built with roof rail covers that were either satin/chrome-plated or painted depending on trim series of the vehicle. The initial 20N11 repair utilized a two-part epoxy/adhesive to secure the covers.
On April 30, 2021, the Ford’s FRC approved safety recall 21V316/21S22 for the population of 2016–2019 Model Year Explorers built with painted roof rail covers that had not yet been remedied under 20N11. This action followed a NHTSA inquiry and subsequent discussion with them on the topic, as well as an updated review of field data showing an increased rate of detachment and looseness/rattling for painted covers. Under this recall, dealers were instructed to inspect the roof rail covers, replace damaged parts, and secure them using four plastic push-pins (mechanical fasteners). Satin/chrome-plated covers were excluded from the 21V316/21S22 population as warranty analysis showed a significantly lower rate of detachment and loose/rattling claims on these vehicles and projections indicated no trend of increasing rate over time. Additionally, pull force data showed plated variants had increased retention strength and were less susceptible to solar loading, which was a contributing factor to the loose/detached condition.
On March 23, 2026, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation contacted Ford regarding 46 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires alleging roof rail cover looseness and/or detachment on 2016–2019 Model Year Explorer vehicles, including vehicles previously repaired under customer satisfaction program (CSP) 20N11 and vehicles previously repaired under safety recall 21V316/21S22.
On March 31, 2026, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group opened an investigation into this concern.
Between April 2026 and June 2026, the investigation team analyzed field data and studied retention performance over time for vehicles with roof rack covers. This analysis determined that 1) both vehicles with satin/chrome-plated roof rail covers in their originally produced condition and 2) vehicles with satin/chrome plated and painted covers repaired using the epoxy/adhesive process under 20N11 continued to experience degraded retention. Vehicles with covers repaired with push-pin fasteners under 21V316/21S22 were found to be performing as intended.
On July 7, 2026, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action.
Ford is not aware of any injuries related to this condition. Ford is aware of one allegation of an accident resulting from this roof rail cover detachment on a vehicle that had been previously repaired using epoxy/adhesive.
Remedy
Description of Remedy
Remedy Type: Inspect, Repair, Replace
Description of remedy program:
Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer. Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers for the presence of the additional end-item push-pin fasteners. If the push pin fasteners are present, no further action is required. If they are not, dealers will follow the technical instructions to replace any broken roof rail clips or damaged roof rail covers and secure the roof rail covers using plastic push pins. There will be no charge for this service.
How remedy component differs from recalled component:
The remedy will utilize four additional push-pins per side to secure the existing roof rail (FB5Z-78551A4(6/7) AA/BA/CA/DA/EA) to the vehicle.
Description of recall schedule:
Notification to dealers is expected to occur on July 16, 2026. Mailing of interim owner notification letters is expected to begin August 24, 2026, and is expected to be completed by August 28, 2026. Mailing of remedy owner notification letters is expected to begin September 21, 2026, and is expected to be completed by September 25, 2026. The date VINs are planned to be searchable is July 16, 2026.
