Seat Defect Prompts Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator Recall

Ford is recalling nearly 388,000 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator sport utility vehicles, citing a problem with their second-row seats.

Seat switches may stick, the automaker said in a recall notice, allowing the seats to unexpectedly tip or slide forward while the SUVs are in use. This is the second time in a little over a year that Ford is recalling the cars over the problem.

“A seat that unexpectedly tips or slides while driving could increase the risk of injury, particularly in a crash,” Ford said in the notice, filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall covers certain 2020-2026 Ford Explorers, as well as Lincoln Aviators from model years 2020 through 2027. The affected seats have a tip-and-slide switch, designed to let passengers tilt and slide the seat forward for easier third-row access. The switch can become misaligned, however, and cause the button to stick. 

Ford first recalled the SUVs in June 2025, saying that a supplier had incorrectly installed plastic bezels. The company issued the new recall in response to additional reports of the same problem.

Ford plans to notify owners of recalled vehicles via mail by the end of July. Explorer and Aviator drivers can also check the NHTSA website to see if their SUVs are part of the recall.

Here is the rub: Ford appears to be having a hard time getting replacement parts. So, some owners may not be able to get a fix until as late as January. In the meantime, the company says owners should not let passengers use the second-row easy-entry feature until the repair is completed. 

California Lemon Law Rights for Ford Drivers

Ford is the king of safety recalls, having led automakers in this dubious category for several years straight. As the seat snafu makes clear, the company has a hard time fixing vehicles even after it spots problems.

Here is what Ford drivers in California need to know: have some important rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. You do not need to wait for a recall to be formally announced in order to get a defective vehicle fixed in many situations.

The California lemon law generally requires carmakers to perform a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces manufacturers to buy back vehicles that they are unable or simply refuse to fix. That includes compensating the owner for the vehicle’s purchase price, as well as financing charges, rental car costs and other related expenses.

There is no specific number of recall requests or attempts that must be made before the buyback or replace requirement kicks in. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights, explore your options, and take action.

Talk with an Orange County Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, an Orange County lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back. Our attorneys combine decades of experience in these cases and have a strong track record of successful results.

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with an Orange County lemon law attorney.