The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Thursday a significant recalls affecting more than 100,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles due to a potential safety hazard involving seat belts. The recall covers an estimated 105,322 SUVs, specifically the 2018 to 2020 model years of the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator—two of the most popular full-size SUVs in Ford’s lineup.
According to the NHTSA, the issue lies with the seat belt pretensioners—a safety component designed to tighten the belt in the event of a crash, reducing slack and helping to secure passengers in place. In the affected vehicles, these pretensioners may inadvertently lock during regular use, even when no collision occurs. When this happens, the seat belt may become stuck in a fixed position, unable to retract or extend properly.
This malfunction not only causes inconvenience to drivers and passengers but also poses a serious safety risk, as it can prevent occupants from properly fastening their seat belts—a critical safety measure in any vehicle. In some cases, passengers may be unable to use the seat belt at all, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The recall comes after the issue was detected through consumer complaints and internal reports. While no injuries or accidents related to the faulty seat belts have been reported so far, the auto safety regulator is urging owners of the affected vehicles to take the recall seriously and schedule an inspection with authorized dealers.
As part of the recall process, Ford dealerships will inspect the seat belt retractor date codes to identify defective components. Any impacted parts will be replaced free of charge, in line with federal safety regulations.
Vehicle owners can check whether their SUV is included in the recall by visiting the NHTSA’s website or contacting Ford’s customer service. They can also input their vehicle’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the NHTSA’s recall lookup tool for confirmation.
This latest action adds to a growing list of recalls in the auto industry, as manufacturers continue to address safety flaws to meet federal standards and avoid potential liabilities. Ford has not issued a public comment yet on whether newer model years might also be at risk.
In the meantime, vehicle owners are advised to regularly inspect their seat belts and report any issues to their local dealership or the NHTSA’s safety hotline.
