Recall of 420,000 Ford and Lincoln SUVs due to faulty seat belts
Ford announced a massive recall of nearly 420,000 SUVs in the United States. The cause is a defect in the front seat belt pretensioners, which can deploy unnecessarily, locking passengers in place while driving.
The nature of the problem
Seat belts are supposed to tighten during a crash but remain loose at other times. Unfortunately for hundreds of thousands of Ford owners, this has become the reason for a new recall. The issue lies in the belt pretensioner — a device that instantly tightens the belt upon impact. In defective vehicles, the pretensioners can deploy when the occupants’ safety is not threatened, locking the belt in a fixed position.
Ford states that a belt that cannot move normally increases the risk of injury during a crash. Additionally, unexpected pretensioner deployment can injure occupants due to the force with which the belt suddenly tightens.
Which vehicles are affected by the recall
The recall covers Expedition and Navigator SUVs built at Ford’s Kentucky plant from May 2017 to October 2022. Importantly, even vehicles that have already been repaired under previous campaigns may require another inspection. Some owners will have to visit the dealer again.
Cause of the defect
Ford’s investigation showed that the propellant used in some pretensioners can degrade after prolonged exposure to high temperatures. This results in corrosive byproducts that damage internal components and can cause unwanted deployment. Owners may notice the airbag warning light illuminating before they feel a monster from the back seat attacking them.
How the problem will be solved
The solution is quite simple. Dealerships will inspect both front belt pretensioners starting in late summer and replace defective units free of charge. The new parts use an improved propellant and stabilizer combination that, according to Ford, provides better long-term chemical stability.
This is not the first time Ford has faced issues with seat belt pretensioners. Previous recalls addressing the same fault have already been conducted, but it turned out that not all vehicles were fully corrected. The company continues to refine the design to avoid similar incidents in the future. Owners of affected models should carefully monitor communications from the manufacturer and not delay visiting a service center, as passenger safety is paramount.