Ford Motor is recalling nearly 420,000 vehicles because of a seat belt defect that can raise the risk of injury in a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the recall, which covers certain Ford Expedition and Lincoln vehicles with model years 2018 through 2022.
According to CBS News, the seat belts in the affected vehicles may inadvertently lock, preventing the belt from retracting or extending properly. "Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash," NHTSA said in the recall notice.
Ford reported to the safety agency that it is aware of one injury connected to the faulty seat belts. The company will begin notifying affected owners by mail on June 8. Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the seat belt retractors free of charge. The recall number is 26S34.
Separately, Ford issued a "Do Not Drive" warning for 4,653 Ford Maverick and Bronco Sport vehicles because of improper assembly of their suspension systems. The recall covers some 2021 to 2026 Bronco Sport and 2022 to 2026 Maverick models.
"The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuckle," Ford said in the notice. Ford advised owners not to drive those vehicles until the repair is completed. Dealers will inspect and fix the defective parts at no cost.
Owners can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. The recall number for the Maverick and Bronco Sport suspension issue is 26S36.
