Ford Recalls Stripped Chassis and Explorer Models Over Safety Concerns

According to Ford Motor Company, two separate safety recalls have been issued for certain 2025 model year F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis and F-53 Recreational Stripped Chassis vehicles, as well as a limited number of 2026 Ford Explorer vehicles. These recalls address critical safety defects that could increase the risk of a crash or injury. The affected vehicles may experience issues with their brake lights or windshield retention, respectively. Ford is notifying owners and will be providing a remedy at no cost.

In the first recall, 146 units of the 2025 Ford F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis and 85 units of the 2025 Ford F-53 Recreational Stripped Chassis are being recalled. These vehicles were produced between September 29, 2025, and October 13, 2025 (F-59) and between September 29, 2025, and October 10, 2025 (F-53). The issue stems from an incorrect installation process for the stop lamp switch, which may have been damaged during assembly due to the use of improper instructions. This defect can cause the exterior brake lights to either not illuminate when the brake pedal is pressed or to illuminate without any brake pedal actuation. Such a malfunction is a violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, which governs lamps and associated equipment. The safety risk associated with this defect includes an increased likelihood of a crash because other road users may not be aware that the vehicle is braking. Furthermore, the condition could allow a driver to shift the vehicle out of park without pressing the brake pedal, potentially leading to unintended rolling and increasing the risk of a crash or injury. A secondary concern identified is that cruise control de-activation may become overly sensitive or not sensitive enough, and the trailer-tow function may also become inoperative. Ford discovered this issue when an engineer observed incorrect stop lamp switch installation at the Detroit Chassis Plant. A stop-ship order was issued for affected vehicles, and subsequent reviews by Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) confirmed the potential for later failure even if the switch passed initial testing. Owners of affected vehicles are advised to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the stop lamp switch replaced. Ford plans to begin notifying owners of this recall by mail starting February 2, 2026, with completion expected by February 6, 2026. Vehicle identification numbers (VINs) will be searchable by dealers and the public starting January 22, 2026.

The second recall involves 8 units of the 2026 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured between October 19, 2025, and October 20, 2025. These vehicles are being recalled due to a potential issue with the windshield installation. An equipment failure at the assembly plant resulted in improperly applied urethane adhesive between the windshield glass and the windshield frame. This noncompliance with FMVSS 212, which addresses windshield mounting, poses a significant safety risk. If the windshield is not adequately retained during a crash, it could increase the risk of occupant injury. Drivers may notice warning signs such as increased wind noise or water leaks, which could indicate an improperly secured windshield. The issue was identified by a Ford engineer during routine water leak testing at the Chicago Assembly Plant. Ford’s Field Review Committee has approved a field service action to address this. Owners of the affected 2026 Ford Explorers will be notified by mail and instructed to bring their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer for a remedy. The dealership will remove the existing windshield and install a new one with properly applied urethane. Notification of dealers is expected on January 22, 2026, with owner notifications by phone or email beginning January 23, 2025. Mailing of remedy notification letters is scheduled to commence on January 26, 2026, and conclude by January 30, 2026. VINs will also be searchable starting January 22, 2026.

For both recalls, owners can obtain more specific information about their vehicle’s applicability by contacting Ford’s toll-free line at 1-866-436-7332 or by visiting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer. The dealers will be able to access the Ford On-line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS) database for detailed vehicle information. Ford is not aware of any reported accidents or injuries related to either of these conditions at the time of the recall reports.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Ford Motor Company

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