Ford Recalls 420,000 SUVs for Defective Seat Belt Pretensioners; Owners Urged to Schedule Inspections
June 3, 2026
Interim recall letters are set to begin mailing on June 8, with additional notices to follow once the remedy is ready, which is expected in August 2026.
Owners can contact Ford customer service or NHTSA for more information, and should perform a VIN lookup and schedule a dealer inspection if their SUV is covered.
Ford is recalling about 420,000 vehicles, including certain 2018–2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models, due to a seat belt pretensioner defect that can cause the seat belt to lock and fail to retract or extend, potentially increasing injury risk in a crash.
The defect stems from the seat belt pretensioner, which may inadvertently lock the belt in place and impede retraction or extension as intended.
Ford and NHTSA provide contact information for further assistance and guidance on the recall process.
Owners will be notified by mail and can visit a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the front seat belt retractors inspected and replaced at no cost if affected.
The recall is inspection-based: dealers will inspect and replace affected retractors as needed at no charge, with owners advised to schedule a free inspection and avoid driving if the belt tightens or fails to retract.
The recall expands on two prior NHTSA recalls and is associated with multiple warranty claims, field reports, and at least one reported injury.
If affected, owners should contact Ford customer service to arrange the inspection and possible replacement to ensure vehicle safety.
The issue is linked to earlier recalls from 2024–2025 involving corroded squib pins and supplier manufacturing irregularities, and regulators classify it as a safety defect requiring repair.
Owners can verify eligibility by entering their 17-digit VIN on NHTSA’s recall tool or Ford’s recall site to determine inclusion.
In all cases, the process emphasizes proactive checks and smooth access to information and remedies for affected owners.
Summary based on 12 sources
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Sources

USA TODAY • Jun 3, 2026
Ford recalls nearly 420,000 vehicles. See the affected models
Economic Times • Jun 3, 2026
Ford is recalling nearly 420,000 vehicles for a seat belt issue
Hoodline • Jun 3, 2026
Detroit Seat‑Belt Scare: Ford Yanks Nearly 420,000 Big SUVs From The Road