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orywireFord is recalling certain 2018–2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs because a front seat-belt pretensioner can deploy inadvertently and leave the belt locked. Owners should check their VIN and contact a Ford or Lincoln dealer if a front belt is already stuck or will not move normally.
Ford is recalling nearly 420,000 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs because a front seat-belt part can lock and stop the belt from moving normally. Owners of 2018 through 2022 models should check their 17-character VIN and contact a Ford or Lincoln dealer if a front belt is already stuck.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists the campaign as NHTSA Recall No. 26V344. Ford’s recall number is 26S34. Ford told NHTSA that affected SUVs were not produced in VIN order, so the model year alone does not confirm whether a specific vehicle is included.
The recall covers certain 2018–2022 Lincoln Navigator and 2018–2022 Ford Expedition multipurpose passenger vehicles equipped with front seat-belt retractor pretensioners that may deploy inadvertently.
NHTSA lists 419,967 total vehicles potentially involved. The report breaks down the population this way:
Ford Expedition: 342,283 vehicles from model years 2018 through 2022
Lincoln Navigator: 77,684 vehicles from model years 2018 through 2022
Ford Expedition affected by year:
Lincoln Navigator affected by year:
The Ford Expedition production dates listed in the NHTSA report are May 15, 2017, through Oct. 25, 2022. The Lincoln Navigator production dates are May 15, 2017, through Oct. 26, 2022.
The defect involves the driver and/or front passenger seat-belt retractor pretensioners. NHTSA says the pretensioners may deploy when they should not, leaving the seat belt locked in position and unable to retract or extend.
That condition should be noticeable to an occupant. A seat belt that cannot move normally may increase the risk of injury in a crash. In some cases, rapid belt retraction can also injure an occupant.
Ford identified the cause as degradation of propellant inside the retractor pretensioner in high-heat environments. Over time, that degradation can create by-products that oxidize internal components and lead to an unintended pretensioner deployment. The NHTSA report says an airbag malfunction light may appear on the instrument cluster before the seat-belt pretensioner deploys inadvertently.
Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect both front seat-belt retractors. If a retractor falls within the suspect production date range, the dealer will replace it at no charge.
The replacement pretensioners use a propellant and stabilizer combination that Ford describes as having enhanced chemical stability. NHTSA’s report does not list a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory for this seat-belt recall.
Owners should not assume that every 2018–2022 Expedition or Navigator is included. Ford told NHTSA that affected vehicles were not built in VIN order, so the most reliable check is the VIN, not just the model year.
A VIN is usually on the driver-side doorframe, the lower driver-side corner of the windshield, vehicle registration and insurance documents. Owners can use Ford’s recall lookup or NHTSA’s recall tool, or call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline is 888-327-4236.
Owners who already have a front seat belt that is stuck, will not retract or extend, or is accompanied by an airbag warning light should contact a Ford or Lincoln dealer promptly and ask whether the vehicle is included in recall 26S34.
The recall report says VINs were planned to be searchable beginning May 29, 2026. Dealer notification was expected to run from May 29 through June 5.
Interim owner letters are expected June 8 through June 12. Remedy owner letters are expected Aug. 31 through Sept. 4. That second mailing should tell owners when the repair is available.
The recall supersedes Ford safety recalls 24S06 and 25S31, also listed by NHTSA as recalls 24V099 and 25V197. Owners who previously had a related inspection or repair should still check the VIN again because Ford expanded the vehicle population.
Ford estimated that 3% of the recalled population has the defect. In the Part 573 report, Ford said it was aware of two warranty claims, two field reports and one injury globally tied to the condition outside the previous recall populations.
The most useful update for owners will be the remedy letter and VIN lookup status. Owners should recheck their VIN when the remedy letters begin, especially if they bought the SUV used or did not receive a prior notice.
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