Ford initiates recall of 240,000 Sports Utility Vehicles due to malfunctioning seat belt fasteners
Ford Motor Company has announced a recall of up to 240,510 model year 2020-2021 Explorer SUVs and Lincoln Aviator models due to an issue with the seat belt anchor bolts.
The issue was discovered after a customer complaint to Transport Canada about a loose or uninstalled second-row center seat belt anchor bolt on a 2020 model year Explorer. Ford's investigation revealed that undocumented rework of the seats was performed, which was "outside of standard operating procedures."
Further investigation by Ford's investigators suggests that this undocumented rework may have caused seat belt anchor bolts to not be properly secured. The Tier 1 supplier for the seat benches linked to the improperly secured seatbelt buckles is Aptiv.
In addition, Ford has identified four additional warranty claims related to loose or missing seat belt anchor bolts on vehicles, all manufactured by Lear between June 2019 and June 2020. Lear did not respond to requests for comment from Automotive Dive about the recall.
To date, Ford is not aware of any injuries related to the issue. However, customers may experience squeaks or rattles in vehicles with improperly secured anchor bolts.
As a precautionary measure, Ford's Field Review Committee approved a field service action on Feb. 7 to recall the vehicles to inspect for loose seat belt buckle bolts in all seating positions. Notification letters are expected to be mailed on March 31.
This recall comes after Ford issued a recall last month that potentially affects 272,817 vehicles for 12-volt battery failures, including some 2021-2023 Bronco models and 2023 Maverick pickups. In January, Ford also recalled over 149,000 2021-2024 Bronco SUV models for rear shocks that could corrode and fail, causing them to detach from the external reservoir.
Since January, Ford has issued a total of 10 recalls, potentially affecting over 759,000 vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Ford and Lincoln dealers will replace any seat belt components on the recalled vehicles if needed.
Ford's investigation expanded to include Tier-1 supplier Lear, the manufacturer of the seats. Throughout December and January, Ford's investigators reviewed manufacturing records and interviewed employees to better understand the plant's operations. Ford's Critical Concern Review Group opened a broader investigation into the issue on Dec. 10, 2024, including visiting the supplier's manufacturing facility.
Owners are being notified to schedule a service appointment at a dealer for an inspection and replacement of the affected components at no cost. Ford encourages all owners to promptly schedule the necessary service to ensure the safety of their vehicles.
