The problem
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.
The risk
Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix
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. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S34. This recall replaces and expands previous NHTSA recalls 24V099 and 25V197. Vehicles previously inspected or repaired under the prior recalls will need the new repair completed.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 26V-344 (26V344000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 26S34 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Seat belts › Pretensioner |
| Report date | May 27, 2026 |
| Vehicles affected | 419,967 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the seat belts
- 2018 Ford Expedition seat belt problems 14
- 2019 Ford Expedition seat belt problems 108
- 2020 Ford Expedition seat belt problems 39
- 2021 Ford Expedition seat belt problems 4
- 2022 Ford Expedition seat belt problems 3
- 2018 Lincoln Navigator seat belt problems 2
- 2019 Lincoln Navigator seat belt problems 25
- 2020 Lincoln Navigator seat belt problems 3
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 26V-344 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: 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. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 419,967 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.