How do I pop the hood on a 2026 Ford Explorer?

[VonPeter]

To pop the hood on a 2026 Ford Explorer, locate and pull the interior hood release handle, then find and lift the secondary safety latch under the front edge of the hood. The process is consistent with the previous model year, requiring a two-step mechanism for safety. The primary release is a T-shaped handle mounted under the dashboard on the driver's side, slightly left of the steering column.

You will not find a button or digital release; it remains a manual mechanical cable system. After pulling the handle, you will hear a distinct pop indicating the primary latch is disengaged. Walk to the front of the vehicle. You will see the hood raised slightly, with a gap of about 1 to 1.5 inches.

Reach your fingers into this center gap. You will feel a lever or button—this is the secondary safety latch. Press or slide it to the side (usually to the right) while simultaneously lifting the hood. The hood is supported by dual gas struts that will automatically raise and hold it in the fully open position. No manual prop rod is required.

Before you start any work, always ensure the vehicle is parked on a level surface, the transmission is in Park, and the engine is completely cool to the touch. This prevents accidental rolling, engine start-up, or burns from hot components. A significant portion of under-hood service incidents occur when these basic safety steps are overlooked.

For visual learners, here is a breakdown of the key steps and locations:

Step	Action	Location / Key Detail
1. Interior Release	Pull the T-shaped handle firmly.	Under driver's side dashboard, near the left kick panel.
2. Hood Primary Release	Hear the audible pop; hood will lift slightly.	Front center of vehicle, creating a 1-1.5 inch gap.
3. Secondary Latch	Feel for the latch through the gap; press and hold it.	Centered under the hood's front edge.
4. Lift Hood	Lift the hood fully; gas struts will engage.	Hood will rise smoothly and lock in the open position.
5. Safety Check	Verify vehicle is in Park, engine is off and cool.	Critical before leaning over or touching engine components.

If the hood does not release after pulling the interior handle, the cable may have slack or need adjustment—a issue documented in less than 0.5% of vehicles based on industry service data for similar SUV platforms. If the secondary latch feels stuck, do not force it. Applying a small amount of silicone lubricant to the latch mechanism often resolves this. If the gas struts fail to hold the hood, the vehicle is safe to drive to a service center, but the hood must be secured with the manual safety catch or a helper.

The design prioritizes safety and reliability. The two-step system prevents accidental opening while driving, a standard across the automotive industry. The transition to gas struts over a prop rod, which began on the Explorer in the early 2020s, provides clearer, safer access to the entire engine bay. Familiarizing yourself with this process is the first step to performing basic maintenance like checking fluid levels or the 12V battery.

[LillianaLee]

Just did this yesterday on my new Explorer. The trick is knowing where to feel. Sit in the driver's seat and run your hand along the lower part of the dashboard, just to the left of the steering column. You'll feel a plastic handle shaped like a little T. Give it a solid pull—you don't need to yank it, but a firm tug does the job.

Walk to the front. You'll see the hood is popped up a bit in the middle. Slide your fingers in from the front, right in the center. You're feeling for a flat, vertical metal lever. Push that lever to the right with your fingertips and lift at the same time. The hood rises on its own after that. Super easy once you've done it once.

[LaWalter]

As a technician, I see people sometimes miss the secondary latch. The interior release cable does about 90% of the work. When you pull that handle, it's only disengaging the primary latch at the front. That’s why the hood lifts just an inch. That gap is intentional, giving you access to the safety catch.

The safety catch is a vital fail-safe. Its job is to stop the hood from flying up if the primary latch fails while you're driving. When you service it, press the latch firmly to the side—don't just flick it. While holding it over, use your other hand to lift the hood smoothly. Let the gas struts do the lifting; don't try to muscle it up. A common tip: if the struts seem slow, the hood might be heavier when the engine is cold. That's normal.

[VonLogan]

My wife asked me how to check the oil in her new Explorer, and it all starts with opening the hood. I made a simple mental note for her: "Pull the lever near your left knee, then go to the front and feel for the second lever in the middle."

The first lever is easy to find. The second one is hidden from view, so you have to go by touch. It's not a button; it's a thin metal bar. The motion is a press-and-hold-to-the-side combined with a lift. The hood is light, and the struts are strong, so it feels very controlled. The whole design is clearly meant to be secure and prevent accidents, which I appreciate.

[MaddoxRose]

I was confused the first time because my old car had a prop rod. The process for the 2026 Explorer is more streamlined. After you pull the inside handle, don't look for a button on the outside grille. The release is entirely underneath the hood's lip. I stood there for a minute looking for an external latch before realizing I needed to slip my fingers into the gap that was already created.

The gas struts are a major upgrade. Once you disengage that secondary latch, you can lift the hood with one hand and it glides to the top, locking securely. No fumbling with a rod. When you're done, just pull the hood down firmly from about a foot above the latch—don't slam it. You'll hear two distinct clicks: the first is the main latch engaging, and a softer second click confirms the safety catch is set. Give the front center a gentle tug to double-check it's fully closed.