Ford Motor Company has recalled over 240,000 SUVs due to safety belt issues. According to a report submitted by Ford to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this recall involves a total of 240,510 units of 2020-2021 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator models. The reason behind the recall is the improper installation of one or more seat belt pretensioner anchor bolts and/or safety belt anchor bolts for the second-row center seat position.
NHTSA pointed out in the report that if the anchor bolts for the safety belt or safety belt pretensioner are not properly secured, it may fail to effectively restrain occupants in the event of a collision, thereby increasing the risk of injury to the occupants. Ford also added in the report that if the anchor bolts are not correctly installed, abnormal noise may be heard while the vehicle is in motion.
The recalled models include 216,563 units of 2020-2021 Ford Explorer and 23,947 units of 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator. Ford stated that the company began investigating this issue in December 2024, when Transport Canada contacted Ford regarding a defect complaint about a 2020 Ford Explorer.
As of February 4, 2025, Ford emphasized that they had not received any accident or injury reports related to this issue, but had identified four warranty claims and one customer complaint that may be associated with this problem.
Regarding the solution for the recalled vehicles, Ford mentioned that dealers will inspect the anchor bolts of all seats’ safety belt pretensioners. If any loose bolts are found, the affected seat components will be replaced. All repairs will be conducted free of charge.
Notification letters for vehicle owners are expected to be sent out by March 31, 2025. Owners can also contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332 for further inquiries. The recall number for this Ford recall is 25S09.