By Eve Nowell 
Ford is recalling 35,772 Explorer SUVs after discovering a software defect that can cause headlights to turn in the wrong direction, potentially blinding other drivers and reducing nighttime visibility. The recall affects 2025 and 2026 Ford Explorer models equipped with dynamic bending headlights, a system designed to pivot the beams in the direction of travel while navigating curves. Federal safety regulators said the malfunction stems from incorrect software inside the vehicle’s Headlight Control Module, allowing the passenger-side headlight to aim improperly while the SUV is moving through turns.
Authorities reported that the issue can cause the headlight beam to shift incorrectly when the vehicle follows curved roads. Instead of adjusting in the correct direction to illuminate the path ahead, the passenger-side light may point the wrong way. That malfunction can increase glare for oncoming traffic and other drivers sharing the road. At the same time, the misdirected beam can reduce the driver’s own forward visibility, particularly on dark roads where headlights are critical for safe operation.
The defect centers on the Explorer’s dynamic bending light system, a technology designed to improve nighttime driving by steering the headlights toward the direction of travel. Investigators determined that incorrect programming within the Headlight Control Module interferes with that function. When the system activates during a curve, the passenger-side headlight can pivot incorrectly instead of following the proper arc of the road. That error can direct a strong beam toward other vehicles while failing to illuminate the lane ahead.
Federal regulators said the issue violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, which governs lighting equipment used on motor vehicles in the United States. Those standards set requirements for how headlights and other lighting systems must operate to ensure drivers can see the road and avoid blinding other motorists. When a system causes excessive glare or fails to illuminate the roadway properly, it falls outside those federal requirements.
Ford estimates that every vehicle included in the recall may carry the defect. The campaign covers 35,772 Explorer SUVs built for the 2025 and 2026 model years. Owners of those vehicles will receive notification from the company explaining the issue and the steps required to correct it.
The automaker plans to fix the problem through a software update that corrects the programming inside the Headlight Control Module. In many cases, the repair can be delivered through an over-the-air update, allowing the vehicle to receive the corrected software without requiring a trip to a dealership. Owners who prefer in-person service will also have the option of visiting a Ford or Lincoln dealership where technicians can perform the update.
Ford said the repair will be carried out at no cost to vehicle owners. The company expects to begin notifying affected customers between March 23 and March 27, 2026. Vehicle identification numbers for the affected SUVs are scheduled to become searchable beginning March 19, allowing owners to confirm whether their vehicle is part of the recall.
This headlight issue marks another entry in a growing list of recent recall actions involving Ford’s midsize SUV. Earlier campaigns have targeted separate problems in the Explorer lineup, including certain 2026 models equipped with windshields that could detach under certain conditions. Each recall addresses a specific component or system identified through safety investigations or internal quality reviews.
Ford’s approach to recalls has drawn attention across the automotive industry due to the volume of safety campaigns issued in recent years. The company recorded 153 recall actions in 2025 alone, the highest number it has ever issued in a single year. That figure set an internal record and placed the company well ahead of other major automakers in recall totals.
Company officials have maintained that the higher recall numbers reflect a more aggressive strategy to identify and correct potential safety issues early. According to Ford, the company has expanded its internal teams responsible for safety monitoring and defect detection. Those efforts are intended to locate potential problems before they develop into larger safety concerns affecting drivers on the road.
Even with that explanation, the pace of recalls has remained high. As of early 2026, Ford has already issued 19 recall campaigns covering various models across its lineup. That number again places the company ahead of competitors in total safety actions issued this year.
Government safety databases show that General Motors currently ranks second among major automakers for recall campaigns, with six recorded so far this year. Toyota and Hyundai follow behind with fewer campaigns reported during the same period. The difference illustrates the scale of Ford’s recall activity compared with other manufacturers operating in the U.S. market.
For Explorer owners included in the headlight recall, the solution will be straightforward once the software update becomes available. The corrected Headlight Control Module programming is designed to ensure the dynamic bending lights operate properly when the vehicle travels through curves. When functioning as intended, the system directs light into the path of travel, helping drivers see farther down winding roads without creating glare for oncoming traffic.
Until the update is installed, the defect remains capable of producing incorrect headlight movement in affected vehicles. Drivers experiencing unusual headlight behavior during nighttime driving are advised to confirm whether their vehicle is included in the recall once VIN lookup tools become active.
Ford’s notification letters will begin arriving in late March, providing instructions on how owners can receive the update. The company confirmed that the software correction will be available either through over-the-air installation or through dealership service appointments.
Once the update is applied, the dynamic bending headlights are expected to return to normal operation. Ford said the correction ensures the headlights turn in the proper direction during curves, restoring normal illumination and preventing glare toward other drivers. The recall campaign will remain open until all affected vehicles receive the software fix.
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