Ford Recalls 2025-2026 Explorers Over Headlights That Can Blind Oncoming Drivers

Ford has issued a recall covering 35,772 units of its 2025 and 2026 Explorer SUVs. The culprit is a software glitch in the adaptive headlight system that causes the beams to point in exactly the wrong direction, potentially blinding oncoming drivers and creating a genuine safety hazard.

• Only Platinum trim models equipped with the Dynamic Bending Light system are affected

• In Canada, 3,296 vehicles are involved

• Ford is already leading the recall charts in early 2026, with more than 20 campaigns launched so far this year

The system at the heart of the problem is called Dynamic Bending Light. In theory, it’s designed to swivel the headlights toward a curve to better illuminate the road ahead. In practice, on the affected models, the passenger-side headlight pivots in the wrong direction. Take a left-hand curve, and instead of following the bend, the right headlight turns away from it. On a right-hand curve, the same logic applies in reverse; the left light follows the steering wheel while the right one swings inward.

Transport Canada has flagged the issue as a collision risk. Ford, for its part, says it has no record of any accidents or injuries tied to the defect.

The fix is straightforward: a software update to the headlight control module, which can be applied remotely via an over-the-air update or at a dealership, at no cost to the owner.

Owners will receive notification letters by mail around March 23.

This recall comes almost simultaneously with another action targeting the Lincoln Navigator, which is being recalled over a driver’s seat issue. Worth noting: Ford set an all-time record in 2025 with 153 recall campaigns. The company is already at roughly 20 for 2026, a pattern that is starting to look less like a coincidence and more like a habit.