Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator Seat Belt Pretensioner Problem

Certain 2018-2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles could experience a problem with the seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat. The issue can cause the seat belt to inadvertently lock, preventing it from extending or retracting.

The problem was first identified in January 2025, when Ford's Critical Concern Review Group began investigating reports of inadvertent deployment of seatbelt retractor pretensioners in certain Ford Expedition vehicles that were not included in a previous recall (24S06). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had also opened an investigation into the issue, receiving several complaints from vehicle owners who experienced the problem despite not being included in the earlier recall.

The earlier recall (24S06) addressed a similar issue with seat belt pretensioners that may develop corroded squib pins, resulting in high resistance or an open circuit. However, the new recall suggests that the problem is more widespread and may not be related to corrosion caused by water intrusion, as previously thought.

Ford's analysis of field data revealed an elevated rate of inadvertent deployment concerns for vehicles produced through July 31, 2020. The company has also learned that some vehicles built after February 2020, which were produced with a modified HVAC drain tube elbow intended to prevent water intrusion, still experienced the problem. This suggests that the cause of the issue may be more complex than initially thought.

As of March 20, 2025, Ford is aware of 17 warranty or dealer reports of inadvertent deployment for vehicles not included in the earlier recall. Owners of affected vehicles will be asked to return to their dealers to have the seat belt retractor date codes inspected and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary.

The recall affects certain 2018-2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles, and owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 14, 2025. Some vehicles that were previously inspected under recall 24V-099 may need to have this new recall remedy completed. Ford's number for this recall is 25S31, and the NHTSA campaign number is 25V-197.

Vehicle owners who are concerned about their seat belt pretensioner or have experienced any issues with their seat belt should contact their local Ford dealership or the NHTSA to learn more about the recall and the necessary steps to take.