Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 1% | 80,000 miles |
| 2023 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% | 94,000 miles |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% | 85,000 miles |
| 2020 | 39 | 9% | 66,000 miles |
| 2019 | 108 | 21% | 90,000 miles |
| 2018 | 14 | 4% | 27,000 miles |
| 2017 | 6 | 2% | 18,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% | 86,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% | 23,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 4% | 52,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% | 96,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% | 82,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% | 85,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% | 46,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% | 36,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% | 71,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% | 139,000 miles |
| 2003 | 14 | 2% | 65,000 miles |
| 2002 | 20 | 6% | 100,000 miles |
| 2001 | 36 | 6% | 91,000 miles |
| 2000 | 9 | 1% | 95,000 miles |
| 1999 | 8 | 1% | — |
| 1998 | 25 | 3% | 130,000 miles |
| 1997 | 15 | 2% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, a vehicle that was making a U-turn crashed into the rear passenger side door and that after the impact, all of the air bags failed to deploy. The contact's son, who was seated in the front passenger seat, had his seatbelt retractor failed to lock as a result he lunged forward from the impact and causing him to hit his chest against the instrument panel. Additionally, the contact stated that her other son was seated in the rear passenger seat and that after the impact, his seat belt was unlatched inadvertently and hit the window. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the contact heard a loud banging sound coming from the driver's side seat belt. An independent mechanic or a dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V099000 (SEAT BELTS); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Daily the automatic transmission will erratically and forcefully downshift at highway speed. When changing Driving Modes the transmission display on the dash has numbers disappear and the transmission downshifts with great force which has lead to injuries. After sitting for more than a few hours the transmission will not go into reverse at first but will then violently shift into reverse after several minutes. These issues began not long after we purchased this vehicle new. The service manager at the dealership the vehicle was purchased from when I told him about these problems told me that I don't understand how a 10 speed transmission works. Sometimes the driver's seatbelt will not buckle.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving in the rain at 50 MPH, a vehicle hydroplaned and crashed into both the contact's vehicle and another vehicle. The contact stated that air bags did not deploy , the seat belts did not lock and no warning lights appeared upon impact. The contact and her daughter both sustained a headache and other aches to their neck and shoulders. A police report was filed. Despite the failure, the contact managed to drive the vehicle back home despite front end damage to the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure and both referred her to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V197000(Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 40 MPH, the front driver's side seat belt retracted and tightened unexpectedly, and then detached. Additionally, the front driver's side air bag deployed unexpectedly. The contact's wife sustained bruises and a head injury; however, no medical assistance had been received. The insurance company assisted in towing the vehicle to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer related the failure to the recall and confirmed that the recall parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 40 -45 mph, he collided with a Volkswagen Jetta that cut him off. All the airbags in the vehicle deployed. The contact son was occupying the front passenger seat but the seat belt failed to retract. There were no warning lights illuminated. The steering wheel air bag struck the driver in the mouth. The passenger had scratches, but medical attention was not provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified about the failure but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V099000 (Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer sent a mobile mechanic to place of employment to inspect the vehicle and the contact was informed that the seat belts were in proper working order. Recently while attempting to park the vehicle, there was a loud booming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact discovered that the front passenger's side seat belt retractor pretensioner had unexpectedly deployed. The contact stated that 30 minutes after the failure, there was an abnormal burning sulfur odor coming from the vehicle. The contact called the dealer, and a mobile mechanic arrived to inspect the vehicle. The mechanic advised the contact to drive the vehicle to the dealer for additional inspection. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 20 MPH, the front driver's side seat belt exploded, making a loud popping sound, and the seat belt tightened and pulled the driver back into the seat. Additionally, the automatic emergency braking system engaged, causing the vehicle to stop. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband stated that the cabin was filled with smoke and an electrical burning odor was noticed. The driver pulled over, but the seat belt had significantly retracted and was able to be unbuckled after several attempts. The contact's husband sustained a seat belt mark on the left shoulder, but no medical attention was received. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. …
Related recalls (6)
Seat belts › Pretensioner
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 8, 2026.
Seat belts › Pretensioner
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Seat belts › Pretensioner
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently deploy and lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors, as necessary. Additionally, dealers will install an HVAC drain tube elbow if it is missing. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Seat belts
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition vehicles. The seat belt tension sensor may incorrectly classify a child occupant as an adult.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Seat belts
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition vehicles. The front passenger seatbelt buckle's Belt Tension Sensor (BTS) may malfunction and may result in the seat occupant being misclassified.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seatbelt buckle, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Show 1 more recall
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans. Equipped with seat belts supplied by trw. It is possible that the driver's and/or front passenger's outboard seat belt buckle May not fully latch. Ford crown victoria built at st.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front outboard seat belt buckles and if the buckle fails the inspection process, it will be replaced. Owner notification began July 25, 2001.
NHTSA investigations
Front seat belt buckle assembly
Under recall campaign (01V227), Ford recalled approximately 1.3 million vehicles to inspect and if necessary replace the front driver and/or passenger seat belt buckle.approximately 1.1 million owners responded by taking their vehicles to a dealer for inspection of the buckle using a specialized buckle test tool.Ford reported that 829,927 vehicles had both buckles pass the tool test and another 167,336 vehicles had…
Front seat belt buckle assembly
During the initial recall campaign in 2001, the subject vehicles were inspected by Ford dealerships using a test tool that would detect a defective front seat outboard seat belt buckle assembly.approximately one million vehicles passed the inspection test for one or both front buckles.subsequent to the recall service action, odi received 15 consumer reports alleging that a passed inspection buckle subsequently…
Seat Belt Retractor Pretensioner Inadvertent Deployment
On November 22, 2023, the O ce of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) PE23021 to investigate complaints of front seat belt retractor pretensioner inadvertent deployment in model year (MY) 2019 Ford Expedition vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company.
Seat Belt Pretensioner Inadvertent Deployment
On November 22, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-021 to investigate instances of seat belt pretensioner inadvertent deployment in model year (MY) 2019 Ford Expedition vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company. Some complaints allege hearing a loud, explosion-like sound immediately followed by the seatbelt tightening around the occupant's torso area.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Expedition years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (108), 2020 (39), 2001 (36), 1998 (25) and 2002 (20) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 21% of all complaints for the 2019.
Is there a recall for Ford Expedition seat belt problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 26V-344 (pretensioner, May 27, 2026); 25V-197 (pretensioner, May 23, 2025); 24V-099 (pretensioner, Feb 9, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Expedition seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles; 19% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › buckle assembly (24 mentions), followed by the rear/other (21).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.