Ford Motor Company has issued a recall affecting nearly 420,000 vehicles due to a seat belt defect that could increase the risk of injury in a crash. The recall, announced June 3, 2026, covers certain Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs from model years 2018 through 2022 — and it replaces and expands on two earlier NHTSA recalls involving the same defect.
The problem is specific: seat belt retractors may lock inadvertently, preventing the belt from retracting or extending as it should. A seat belt that can’t move freely won’t restrain an occupant properly during a collision. Ford has also confirmed at least one injury tied to this defect. For drivers and passengers who have been riding in these vehicles — possibly for years — that’s a serious safety failure.
Separately, a do-not-drive order has been issued for approximately 4,600 Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles from model years 2021–2026, where front lower control arm ball joints may be incorrectly installed and could disconnect from the front wheel knuckle, causing a complete loss of vehicle control.
What Is the Ford Seat Belt Recall About?
Seat belts are the single most important safety feature in any vehicle. According to the NHTSA, seat belts save tens of thousands of lives every year. When a manufacturer produces a vehicle with seat belts that may not function properly under crash conditions, the consequences can be devastating.
The defect in this recall involves the seat belt retractor — the mechanism that allows the belt to extend when you pull it and retract when you release it. In the affected Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a component called the seat belt pretensioner may deploy inadvertently and lock the belt in place. Once locked, the belt can neither extend nor retract, leaving the occupant without proper restraint.
Ford first faced this issue in previous recalls, but the June 2026 action replaces and significantly expands the scope of those earlier efforts, now capturing a much larger population of vehicles. As of the recall date, the company is aware of two warranty claims, two field reports, and one confirmed injury.
Which Vehicles Are Affected?
Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator (Seat Belt Recall)
The primary seat belt recall covers:
- Ford Expedition — model years 2018 through 2022
- Lincoln Navigator — model years 2018 through 2022
Owners of these vehicles should check whether their specific VIN is included using the NHTSA vehicle recall lookup tool or Ford’s official recall page.
Ford Bronco Sport and Ford Maverick (Do-Not-Drive Order)
A separate and urgent do-not-drive notice applies to:
- Ford Bronco Sport — model years 2021 through 2026
- Ford Maverick — model years 2022 through 2026
The issue here is structural: front lower control arm ball joints that may have been incorrectly installed or improperly repaired at the assembly plant can disconnect from the front wheel knuckle while the vehicle is in motion. If this happens, the driver loses steering control entirely. This is not a drive-until-repaired situation — if your vehicle falls into this category, Ford strongly urges you to stop driving it immediately.
Why Seat Belt Defects Are Especially Dangerous
A seat belt defect is not like a faulty turn signal or a software glitch. Seat belts are the last line of defense between an occupant and catastrophic injury during a crash. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that seat belts reduce the risk of death for front seat passengers by 45% and the risk of serious injury by 50%.
When a belt locks in a retracted position, an occupant may not even be able to buckle it properly. When it locks while extended, it creates slack that eliminates the restraint function entirely. In either scenario, the belt that a driver or passenger believes is protecting them may do little to nothing in a severe collision.
Ford has known about this defect category since at least 2024, when an earlier recall was initiated. The expansion of the recall in 2026 — and the confirmed injury — raises serious questions about the adequacy and timeline of Ford’s response.
What Should Affected Vehicle Owners Do Right Now?
- Identify your VIN. Check your vehicle identification number against the NHTSA recall database to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in either recall.
- Stop driving Bronco Sport or Maverick vehicles under the do-not-drive order. The control arm defect is an immediate safety risk. Do not wait for a mailed notice — contact your dealer today.
- Schedule your dealer visit for Expedition and Navigator recalls. Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect both front seat belt retractors and replace any involved in the recall. The repair is free of charge.
- Contact Ford directly if you have questions. Ford customer service is reachable at 1-866-436-7332. You can also contact NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or visit nhtsa.gov for additional information.
- Document any symptoms. If your seat belt has felt unusual — unusually stiff, slow to retract, or hard to buckle — note it and report it to your dealer during the inspection. This documentation may matter later.
- Consult an attorney if you were injured. If you were in a crash while driving or riding in one of these vehicles and suffered an injury, a recall-based repair does not close off your legal options. You may have a product liability claim against Ford Motor Company regardless of whether the recall was issued before or after your accident.
Understanding Your Legal Rights After a Defective Vehicle Injury
Manufacturers have a legal obligation to design, build, and sell vehicles that are safe for their intended use. When a defect in a safety-critical component — like a seat belt retractor — causes or worsens an injury, product liability law may allow the injured party to recover damages from the manufacturer.
There are generally three legal theories available in defective product cases:
Manufacturing defect — The vehicle was built incorrectly, deviating from its intended design. If Ford’s own assembly process produced improperly installed ball joints or faulty retractors, this theory may apply.
Design defect — The design itself was unreasonably dangerous, even when the product is built exactly as intended. If the retractor mechanism was inherently prone to locking, this could support a design defect claim.
Failure to warn — The manufacturer knew of a safety risk and failed to adequately notify owners in a timely manner. Given that this recall expands on earlier actions, the timeline of Ford’s knowledge may be a critical issue.
Victims don’t need to prove that they knew about the defect beforehand. What matters is whether the defect existed, whether it was unreasonably dangerous, and whether it caused or contributed to the injury.
Statutes of limitations apply, meaning injured individuals have a limited window of time to file a claim. The clock typically starts running on the date of the injury, not the date the recall is announced. Consulting an attorney as early as possible protects your options.
How a Product Liability or Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Filing a claim against a company the size of Ford Motor Company is not a straightforward process. Their legal and insurance teams are experienced at minimizing exposure, and they will move quickly once a claim is filed.
An attorney who handles defective vehicle or personal injury cases can:
- Investigate whether the defect contributed to your injuries, independent of Ford’s own assessments
- Secure expert testimony from automotive engineers or accident reconstruction specialists
- Gather and preserve critical evidence — vehicle data, repair records, warranty claims, crash reports
- Negotiate with Ford and its insurers from a position of knowledge and leverage
- Take the case to trial if necessary
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no upfront cost to hire one. Fees are only collected if you recover compensation.
Contact our award-winning personal injury attorneys in Minneapolis today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Ford Expedition or Lincoln Navigator is affected by the recall?
Use the NHTSA recall lookup tool and enter your vehicle identification number (VIN). You can also call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 to confirm whether your vehicle is included.
Is the seat belt repair free of charge?
Yes. Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt retractors at no cost to the vehicle owner. You will receive a mailed notice, but you do not need to wait for the letter — you can contact your dealer now.
What should I do if my Bronco Sport or Maverick is under the do-not-drive order?
Stop driving the vehicle immediately. Contact your Ford dealer to arrange an inspection and repair. If you need transportation in the meantime, ask your dealer about loaner vehicle options.
Can I still file a lawsuit if my vehicle was recalled?
Yes. A recall does not eliminate Ford’s legal liability for injuries that already occurred. If a defect in a recalled vehicle caused your injury — whether before or after the recall was issued — you may have a valid product liability claim.
What if I wasn’t sure my seat belt was malfunctioning before a crash?
That’s common. Many vehicle defects aren’t obvious until they matter most. If you were injured in a crash and your vehicle is now part of this recall, an attorney can investigate whether the defect played a role, even if you didn’t notice a problem beforehand.
How long do I have to file a claim after a defective product injury?
It depends on the state. Statutes of limitations for personal injury and product liability claims typically range from one to three years from the date of injury. Do not delay — waiting can forfeit your right to recover compensation.
What types of compensation can I recover in a defective vehicle case?
Depending on the circumstances, injured victims may recover economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, future care costs) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life). In cases involving egregious manufacturer conduct, punitive damages may also be available.
Do I need to pay an attorney upfront to pursue a claim?
Most personal injury and product liability attorneys handle these cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless and until you recover compensation. An initial consultation is typically free.
