Ford Recalls Explorer and Lincoln Nautilus: Pedestrian Alert System Malfunctions

Ford Motor Company has issued a recall affecting select 2024 through 2027 model year Ford Explorers and Lincoln Nautilus SUVs. The problem lies with the vehicles’ pedestrian alert system, which is designed to emit a sound when the car is moving at low speeds to warn nearby pedestrians.

According to the automaker, the system may fail to activate, creating a potential safety hazard for people walking near these quiet electric or hybrid vehicles.

The recall covers roughly 130,000 units in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the issue stems from a software error in the body control module. This error can prevent the external speaker from playing the required alert sound when the vehicle is in motion under a certain speed threshold.

Without that audible cue, pedestrians—especially those who are visually impaired—may not realize an approaching vehicle is nearby.

Ford says it is not aware of any crashes or injuries linked to the defect so far. Owners will be notified starting in late March, and dealers will update the body control module software free of charge. If you own one of these vehicles and have questions, you can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln concierge at 1-800-521-4140.

For a quick check, you can also visit the NHTSA recall website with your vehicle’s VIN number.