Several of these SUVs have already been subject to recall and require a follow-up fix.
By Keith Barry
Ford is recalling more than 105,000 vehicles. Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs manufactured between the 2018 and 2020 models due to potential issues with their front seatbelts getting jammed, preventing them from both retracting and extending properly. This marks the second occasion where Ford has initiated a recall due to this issue. .
The issue stems from a defective pretensioner, which is a crucial safety component designed to use a regulated explosive charge to cinch the seatbelt tight at the onset of a collision, thereby preventing injuries. When the pretensioner activates erroneously, it can cause the belt to become locked unnecessarily, failing to offer protection during an actual crash event. Besides encountering issues with a jammed seatbelt, motorists might also observe that the airbag indicator light is illuminated on their dashboard panel located behind the steering wheel.
In order to resolve the issue, Ford and Lincoln dealerships will provide complimentary replacement for the seatbelt pretensioners. At first, Ford engineers believed that the problem stemmed from a water leakage originating from the air conditioning unit. Nevertheless, the root cause might actually lie within the pretensioners themselves.
In documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the car manufacturer states that they are unaware of any accidents or injuries connected to the recall for this latest group of vehicles. However, there have been 17 reports from dealerships or warranty claims regarding the problem. This comes after an earlier recall. 11 reports of injuries .
Details of Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator Recalls
Vehicles recalled: The Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs produced from October 1, 2018, through July 31, 2020.
The problem: Corrosion inside the seat belt pretensioner mechanism might lead to unintentional deployment of the pretensioner, causing the seat belt to get locked in place.
The fix: Dealerships will replace the seatbelt pretensioner at no cost.
Where can one reach out to the manufacturer? Owners can reach out to Ford at 866-436-7332.
NHTSA campaign number: 25V197. This recall has been designated as 25S31 by Ford. The previous recall was numbered 24V099.
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