Ford is Recalling 240,000 2020-2021 Ford Explorers and Lincoln Aviators for Potential Seat Belt Problems

Ford was notified about the potential problem by Canadian authorities after a problem was discovered in a 2020 Ford Explorer there. After reviewing the complaint, Ford started examining the vehicles and has decided to recall 240,510 2020 and 2021 Ford Explorers and Lincoln Aviators. Ford notified NHTSA that some of the seatbelts may not be bolted down or anchored correctly. “Seatbelts or buckles with improperly secured anchor bolts may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.”

What is Causing the Problem

According to the paperwork filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration “Affected vehicles may have an improperly secured seatbelt buckle anchor bolt at one or more seating positions. Vehicles may also have an improperly secured seatbelt retractor anchor bolt and/or seatbelt anchor bolt at the second-row center seating position if equipped.” Less than one percent of the vehicles being recalled are estimated to have the seat belt problem, but service technicians need to check them, just in case.

Ford says in the Safety Recall Report that it believes the improper work was performed at the seat manufacturer. The seats were supplied by Lear. “As of February 4, 2025, Ford is aware of four warranty claims and one customer complaint potentially related to this concern.” Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the seat belt problem.  

The recall affects:

• 216,563  2020-2021 Ford Explorers
• 23,947    2020-2021 Lincoln Aviators

How Ford Will Fix the Problem

Ford will start notifying 2020 and 2021 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator owners about the potential seatbelt problem on March 31, 2025. “Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have an inspection of the seatbelt buckle anchor bolts at all seating positions in the vehicle and the seatbelt anchor and seatbelt retractor anchor bolts if the vehicle is equipped with a second row center seat. If improperly secured anchor bolts are found, affected seat components will be replaced.” All of the recall work will be done free of charge. Anyone who has already paid to have their seatbelts fixed will be reimbursed.

The NHTSA number for this recall is 25V-093. The Ford number for the recall is 25S09. Any drivers who have additional concerns are able to call Ford’s toll-free line 1-866-436-7332.

Ford Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

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