Ford is recalling nearly 420,000 SUVs in the United States after discovering a seat belt defect that could increase the risk of injury during a crash. The issue affects certain Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models and has already been linked to at least one reported injury.
Ford Motor has announced a major safety recall covering 419,967 vehicles across the U.S. after federal regulators identified a problem involving front seat belt systems.
The recall affects certain model year 2018 through 2022 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the defect involves seat belt pretensioners in the driver and front passenger seats that may lock unexpectedly. When that happens, the seat belt may fail to retract or extend properly.
That malfunction could become dangerous during a collision.
Safety regulators said a seat belt that cannot move properly may fail to restrain occupants as intended, increasing the risk of injury. In some situations, the system could also cause a rapid seat belt retraction that may itself lead to injury.
“Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended,” the NHTSA said in its recall notice.
The latest action expands on two previous recalls involving similar issues.
According to regulatory filings, Ford is aware of two warranty claims, two field reports and one injury connected to the defect. The company decided to broaden the recall after further investigation into the affected components.
Owners of affected vehicles will not have to pay for repairs.
Ford dealers will inspect both front seat belt retractors and replace defective components when necessary at no cost to customers. Notification letters are expected to begin reaching owners in June, with additional communication planned once replacement parts become more widely available.
The recall comes as Ford continues to face heightened scrutiny over vehicle quality and safety issues.
The automaker has issued a number of recalls over the past year involving various vehicle systems, ranging from software problems to suspension defects. Just this week, Ford also issued a separate “do not drive” warning for thousands of Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles due to a suspension-related concern that could affect steering control.
For Expedition and Navigator owners, however, the immediate concern is the seat belt system.
Drivers who own affected vehicles are encouraged to watch for official recall notices and schedule inspections with Ford or Lincoln dealerships as soon as repair appointments become available.
