Ford recalls nearly 420,000 vehicles over faulty seat belts
Ford is recalling nearly 420,000 Expedition and Lincoln vehicles over seat belts that may lock and fail to retract or extend.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
Ford says a seat belt defect affects nearly 420,000 model-year 2018 to 2022 Expedition and Lincoln vehicles. Regulators say the issue can raise injury risk in a crash, and Ford says it knows of one injury tied to the problem.
Ford found a problem that can make seat belts get stuck instead of moving the way they should. It is like a seat belt that jams in a seat belt reel, which can make it less able to protect people in a crash.
Analysis
What Ford recalled
Ford is recalling nearly 420,000 vehicles because some seat belts may inadvertently lock, which can prevent them from retracting or extending properly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the defect affects certain Expedition and Lincoln vehicles from model years 2018 through 2022.
Why regulators are concerned
NHTSA said seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, which increases the risk of injury in a crash. Ford told the agency it is aware of one injury related to the faulty seat belts, according to the article.
What owners can expect
Ford says it will begin mailing notices to affected owners on June 8. Dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the seat belt retractors free of charge. The recall number is 26S34.
Another recall in the same notice cycle
The article also says Ford issued a separate "Do Not Drive" warning for 4,653 Maverick and Bronco Sport vehicles over an assembly problem in the suspension system. Ford said some front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or repaired, which could allow the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuckle. Owners are being told not to drive those vehicles until the fix is done, and dealers will inspect and repair them free of charge.
Key points
- Ford is recalling nearly 420,000 Expedition and Lincoln vehicles over a seat belt defect.
- NHTSA says the belts may inadvertently lock and stop retracting or extending properly.
- Ford says it knows of one injury linked to the faulty seat belts.
- Owners are set to be notified by mail starting June 8, and repairs will be free.
- Ford separately issued a do-not-drive warning for 4,653 Maverick and Bronco Sport vehicles over a suspension problem.
If the repair works as planned, owners of affected vehicles should get a free fix that restores normal seat belt function. The mailed notices and dealer inspections may help limit further injuries tied to the defect.
If owners delay the repair, the seat belt problem could continue to raise injury risk in a crash. The article also shows Ford is dealing with another separate safety issue, which may add to concern among affected drivers.
