Ford Motor Company is recalling roughly 420,000 vehicles due to a seat belt malfunction that could lead to occupant injuries in the event of a crash, according to a new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall covers certain 2018–2022 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models.
The NHTSA report, released Tuesday, says the seat belts may lock inadvertently, preventing them from retracting or extending properly. That failure can increase the risk of injury during a collision. In some cases, a seat belt that retracts too quickly may also cause harm. Ford said it is aware of two warranty claims, two field reports, and one injury tied to the defect.
This recall expands and replaces two earlier NHTSA recalls. Owners will be notified by mail and can take their vehicles to Ford or Lincoln dealers for free inspection and replacement of the front seat belt retractors.
Separately, Ford has issued a do-not-drive warning for about 4,600 Bronco Sport (model years 2021–2026) and Maverick (model years 2022–2026) vehicles. The NHTSA said the front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or repaired at the assembly plant, which could cause the control arm to detach from the front wheel knuckle. That could lead to a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and repair the ball joints at no cost to owners. The suspension recall comes as Ford continues to grapple with quality issues that have drawn scrutiny from regulators.
These recalls arrive amid a broader political climate where consumer safety and regulatory oversight are hot-button issues. The Trump administration has taken steps to reshape federal workforce policies, including reclassifying thousands of policy workers as at-will employees, which could affect how agencies like the NHTSA operate. Meanwhile, debates over federal spending and border security remain front and center, with Senate leaders pushing a $72 billion border bill that could redirect resources away from regulatory enforcement.
Ford is urging affected owners to contact the company at 1-866-436-7332 or the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 for more information. The automaker also faces ongoing scrutiny over other safety issues, including a separate recall for frozen cheese bread that was linked to salmonella fears, though that recall is unrelated to automotive safety.
The recalls underscore the persistent challenges automakers face in maintaining vehicle safety standards, even as the industry shifts toward electric vehicles and advanced driver-assistance systems. For now, Ford owners are advised to check their vehicle identification numbers (VINs) on the NHTSA website to see if their cars are affected.
