Ford Motor has issued a recall for 419,967 SUVs in the U.S. due to faulty seat belts, adding to the automaker’s growing number of vehicle callbacks this year.
The details: The latest recall affects certain 2018-2022 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The issue involves the driver and/or front passenger seat belt pretensioner, which may prevent the seat belt from retracting or extending properly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Under the recall, dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors and replace them, if necessary, at no cost to owners.
Why it matters: The Expedition and Navigator recall adds to ongoing quality concerns surrounding Ford vehicles, requiring dealers and service teams to be prepared to address customer questions and reinforce confidence in the brand.
OUTSMART THE CAR MARKET IN 5 MINUTES A WEEK
Get insights trusted by 55,000+ car dealers. Free, fast, and built for automotive leaders.
Between the lines: Ford is already on track to surpass last year's recall pace, even if the total number of affected vehicles ultimately differs.
As of May 11, Ford had issued 34 recalls in 2026, nearly triple the number reported by the next closest automaker, GM, according to AutoBlog, citing NHTSA data.
The automaker has already recalled nearly 10 million vehicles this year, including a recent callback affecting 4.3 million pickup trucks and SUVs over a software issue.
Ford issued 152 recall notices in 2025, affecting just under 13 million Ford and Lincoln vehicles.
Bottom line: For dealers, the recall highlights the importance of proactive customer outreach and service scheduling. While repeated recalls can weigh on consumer confidence, they also create opportunities for dealerships to generate service revenue, update customer records, and strengthen long-term relationships with vehicle owners.
A quick word from our partner
Are blanket service discounts costing you more than they're worth?
When mass coupons go out to an entire database, it often unintentionally reduces service margin on customers who were already planning to pay full price.
The new Intentional Consumer Playbook analyzes broader shifts in consumer behavior to reveal exactly how today's buyers pre-plan their decisions long before they ever engage with a business.
Learn how to map this behavior to your service lanes to protect your dealership’s profitability.
