Ford Calls Back Explorer SUVs Over Flying Roof Rail Covers
» Posted July 17, 2026 • Resources | Share This Post
Ford Explorer drivers have been wrestling with loose roof rail covers for years. A new recall shows the automaker still does not have a handle on the problem.
Ford is recalling more than 288,000 Explorer SUVs from the 2016 through 2019 model years, the company recently announced. The vehicles’ roof rail covers can loosen over time and detach while the cars are moving, Ford said in a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Flying roof rail covers can damage the SUVs and pose serious hazards for anyone on the road with them. Ford said it is aware of at least one accident related to the defect, but no injuries.
This may sound familiar to Explorer drivers. Ford in 2020 launched a customer satisfaction program that used a two-part epoxy adhesive to glue down covers that were rattling, gapping, or falling off. The automaker recalled Explorers over the problem the following year, in response to questions from NHTSA. This time, it used plastic push-pin fasteners designed to anchor the covers in place.
Ford has since expanded the scope of the recall to include more SUVs. This time around, the automaker will add fasteners to the recalled vehicles and fix those that have been damaged.
The company plans to notify owners of recalled cars by August 24. Explorer drivers can also check the NHTSA website to see if their SUVs are part of the recall.
In the meantime, owners should be on the lookout for signs of trouble.
“Vehicles with this condition may exhibit increased wind noise and/or squeaks and rattles as the roof rail cover begins to loosen,” Ford said in the recall report. “A visible gap or misalignment between the roof rail cover and the roofline may develop.”
Ford Drivers: Know Your Lemon Law Rights
The California lemon law gives Ford drivers in the Golden State some valuable rights and protections. You do not need to wait for a recall to get a defective or malfunctioning car repaired.
The lemon law, known formally as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, requires Ford and other carmakers to do a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces automakers to buy back (or replace, in some cases) covered vehicles that they are not able or flat-out refuse to fix. That includes compensating the owner for the purchase price, as well as financing fees, rental car costs, and other related expenses.
There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replace requirement kicks in. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.
Talk with a San Diego Lemon Law Attorney
If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a San Diego lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.
Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a San Diego lemon law attorney.
