Ford has announced a major safety recall affecting nearly 420,000 vehicles in the United States after identifying a seat belt issue that could increase the risk of injury during a crash. The recall covers selected Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models produced between 2018 and 2022, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The issue involves the seat belt pretensioner system for the driver and front passenger seats. In affected vehicles, the mechanism may unexpectedly lock the seat belt, preventing it from retracting or extending properly. Safety regulators warn that a malfunctioning seat belt may fail to restrain occupants as intended during a collision, potentially increasing the likelihood of injury.
According to NHTSA, the defect can cause the belt to become stuck or operate abnormally, creating additional safety concerns for vehicle occupants. Ford has reported receiving a small number of warranty claims and field reports related to the issue, while at least one injury has been linked to the defect.
To address the problem, Ford dealers will inspect the affected seat belt retractors and replace them when necessary at no cost to owners. The recall applies specifically to certain 2018–2022 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs, two of the company’s most popular full-size utility vehicles in the U.S. market.
The latest recall highlights the industry’s continued focus on safety-related defects and reinforces the importance of ensuring critical restraint systems function properly under all operating conditions.
