Ford Motor Company has announced a recall affecting almost 420,000 vehicles due to a seat belt malfunction that could lead to injuries in the event of a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that the recall includes certain Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models from 2018 to 2022. The problem involves seat belts that may inadvertently lock, preventing them from retracting or extending properly, which could pose a risk during a collision.
Ford’s recall expands on two previous NHTSA recalls and is linked to two warranty claims and two field reports, with one injury reported. Vehicle owners will receive notifications by mail and can visit Ford or Lincoln dealers to have the front seat belt retractors inspected and replaced if necessary, free of charge.
Do-Not-Drive Order for Bronco Sport and Maverick
In addition to the seat belt recall, Ford has issued a do-not-drive warning for thousands of Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles due to potential suspension system issues. The NHTSA highlighted that the front lower control arm ball joints in these vehicles might have been improperly installed or repaired, risking detachment from the front wheel knuckle. Such a detachment could lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the likelihood of a crash.
The suspension recall affects 4,600 Bronco Sport models from 2021 to 2026 and Maverick models from 2022 to 2026. Ford dealers will inspect and repair the suspension components as needed, at no cost to the vehicle owners.
For more information, vehicle owners can contact Ford customer service or the NHTSA through their respective hotlines.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
