Ford has recalled 288,314 units of the 2016-2019 Ford Explorer because the roof rail covers may loosen over time and detach while the vehicle is in motion, becoming a significant safety hazard.According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall report, the roof rail covers pose a significant risk to other motorists since they increase the risk of a crash. An object hitting a vehicle at high speed can act like a projectile, leading to injuries or even death.Revealing how the roof rails detach on their own when the Ford Explorer is in motion, the recall report stated:AdvertisementAdvertisement"For vehicles previously repaired under customer satisfaction program 20N11 using epoxy/adhesive, the repair process was repair technician-sensitive. In some instances, damaged retention clips may not have been replaced and/or the correct epoxy/adhesive location, quantity, or cure conditions were not achieved.white bmw m 3 coupe parked on green grass field during daytime"For vehicles with plated covers, as the parts have aged, they may have experienced additional heat cycles and wear resulting in potentially loosening of retention clips."To identify the issue in advance, affected Ford Explorer owners have been advised to watch out for an increase in wind noise or squeaks and rattles coming from the roof rail cover. In addition, affected drivers may also find a misalignment between the roof rail cover and the roofline.Ford first introduced the Customer Satisfaction Program 20N11 in 2020 to fix loose or detached roof rail covers on 2016–2019 Explorer models by securing them with a two-part epoxy adhesive. However, after an NHTSA investigation and a rise in reports involving painted roof rail covers, the automaker issued Safety Recall 21S22 in 2021, replacing the adhesive repair with plastic push-pin fasteners on affected vehicles.AdvertisementAdvertisementOn March 23, 2026, the NHTSA contacted Ford after 46 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires reported loose roof rail covers, including vehicles that had already been repaired. Ford's investigation found that the earlier epoxy repair could still fail over time, while the push-pin repair performed as intended. As a result, the company approved another field action on July 7, 2026.Ford Explorer Loose Roof Rail Problem RemedyAccording to the NHTSA recall report, affected Ford Explorer owners will be instructed to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer, where the roof rail covers will be inspected for "the presence of the additional end-item push-pin fasteners."No further action will be required if the push-pin fasteners are in place. If not, the dealers will follow the technical process to replace broken roof rail clips or damaged roof rail covers and secure them with plastic push-pins. There will be no charge for this service.Dealers were notified on July 16, 2026. Interim owner notification letters will be mailed starting August 24, 2026, and are expected to be completed by August 28, 2026. Remedy owner notification letters will be mailed from September 21 to September 25, 2026.