Ford recalls 80,000 Explorers and Aviators over driver seats that recline on their own

A NHTSA filing Ford submitted on July 21 and that surfaced in coverage Tuesday covers 79,579 new 2026-2027 SUVs whose driver seat can fully recline during remote unlock or start, trapping a second-row passenger. Plus Michigan cyclospora passes 9,253 as a House Democrat opens a Taylor Farms probe, and the recalled eggs and tracked outbreaks hold.

Ford's Field Review Committee approved a field action on July 7, the company filed the paperwork with NHTSA on July 21, and the recall surfaced in media coverage on Tuesday. It is the kind of defect you might only notice when it is too late. The campaign covers 79,579 2026 and 2027 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs built between November 24, 2025 and June 27, 2026, split as 64,409 Explorers and 15,170 Aviators (NHTSA Part 573 report 26V470, Ford Authority).

The problem is in the driver's seat. According to Ford's filing, the seat can "fully recline without driver input" when you remotely unlock the doors, remote-start the vehicle, walk up with the key fob, or recall a saved seat-memory position. The recline motor, after a supplier change, is incorrectly interpreting the seat's position. With no obstacle detection or bounce-back, the seatback can swing all the way rearward and contact the second-row seat, which Ford says poses "a potential entrapment risk and injury hazard to second-row occupants." A child or a rear passenger sitting behind the driver when someone remote-starts the car is the scenario to picture. Ford says it is not aware of any accidents or injuries so far.

This is a distinct fault from the Explorer seat recall that led coverage last week. That one, NHTSA 26V451, covers 387,911 older 2020-2026 Explorers and Aviators whose second-row "easy-entry" seats can tip or slide while driving because a plastic switch bezel binds. This new campaign, Ford recall 26S53, is the driver's seat recline motor, on only the newest model years, and it is the third separate seat or body action on this SUV platform this month (alongside the roof-rail detachment recall 26V448 and the Bronco engine-fire recall 26V468).

What to do: the remedy is still under development (Ford lists it as a part replacement plus a software over-the-air update), and the company has not set a date to mail owner letters. For now, check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls or contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332 (reference 26S53). The practical move until the fix exists is to avoid remote-starting or remote-unlocking while anyone is seated in the second row behind the driver.

Michigan cyclospora passes 9,253 as House Democrat opens Taylor Farms probe

The cyclospora outbreak that has run all summer picked up two new threads on Monday, and both moved it from a food-safety story into a political one.

First, the case count. Michigan reported 9,253 cyclosporiasis cases as of July 27, up 1,077 from Friday's 8,176, though the state notes that 475 of those are previously unreported cases surfaced by delayed lab results rather than a sudden spike (Detroit Free Press, Michigan MDHHS). Hospitalizations hold at 160. Nationally, the CDC counts 4,173 lab-confirmed cases across 41 states plus more than 7,400 additional reported infections, and its Taco Bell-linked outbreak page holds at 1,947 cases in 9 states with 98 hospitalizations and no deaths (CDC). Former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb told Reuters the true scope is likely 10 to 20 times the reported number and called it "the largest outbreak we've ever seen in history of cyclospora," adding that some retailers and restaurants are now refusing produce from central Mexico altogether (Reuters via Star-Advertiser).

Second, Congress. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, sent a letter July 27 to Taylor Farms CEO Bruce Taylor demanding the company turn over every communication it has had with the White House since January 21 and all of its cyclospora-related communications with federal agencies, plus documents on its safety protocols (CBS News). Garcia's statement frames the ask bluntly: "Taylor Farms donated millions to President Trump, met privately with the White House the night the FDA identified their lettuce as the source of this outbreak and then reportedly tried to distance themselves." FEC filings show Taylor Farms contributed $1 million to the MAGA Inc. super PAC in 2025 and more than $1 million to other Republican PACs. The White House dismissed the collusion suggestion as "absolutely false." This escalates the credibility clash that former commissioner Gottlieb opened on Sunday's Face the Nation into a formal document-demand investigation.

The recall itself is unchanged. Taylor Farms de Mexico recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17. At retail, that means Walmart Marketside 12oz and 24oz Iceberg Salad and 8oz and 16oz Shredded Lettuce with Best if Used By dates of July 18 through August 3, sold in 15 states, with foodservice distribution across 27 states. If you have it, throw it out or return it (Walmart refunds at 1-800-925-6278, Taylor Farms at 855-455-0098). Washing does not remove Cyclospora.

Tracking

Recalled eggs. The Salmonella outbreak tied to Midwest Poultry's 1.59 million dozen eggs holds at 98 illnesses, 26 hospitalizations, and no deaths across 17 states, with 73 of the 98 in Texas, per the CDC's July 24 update (CDC). The sell-by window runs July 20 through August 17, so recalled cartons may still be in refrigerators. Check the side of the carton for plant code P-1950 or 0840962 with a Julian date of 157 to 184; brands include Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire's, Country Morning, and Sunups. Return to the store for a refund or call 574-405-9531.

Nara infant formula botulism. Holds at four hospitalized infants (two in California, one in Pennsylvania, one in Washington) with no new cases since the June 13 recall, per the CDC (CDC). Nara's July 24 update said FDA testing found all 27 unopened cans from the implicated lots negative for botulinum toxin, while one opened can from a sick infant's home tested positive. The recall of all lots sold at Target and Nara.com stands.

Clover Hill cheese listeria. Unchanged at 12 illnesses, 10 hospitalizations, and one death in Maryland, per the CDC (CDC). The La Ceiba requeson sold under La Colonia and Selectos Latinos labels expired July 10 and is now 18 days past date, so throw it out if any remains. The cheese may have been repacked under Kesso, Quesos la Ricura, Izalco, De mi Pueblo, or Rio Lindo.

California Dairies powdered milk. The four-month Salmonella cascade tied to California Dairies' 2.7 million pounds of nonfat dry milk continues with no reported illnesses, across 40-plus downstream products from Zapp's chips to Ghirardelli mixes (FDA).

Kia Telluride fire. The 462,869-vehicle 2020-2024 Telluride fire recall (NHTSA 26V430) remains active; VINs are searchable and Kia advises parking outside until the electronic fuse is installed, with owner letters mailing August 13 (NHTSA).