(GoRealNewsNow.com) – Americans be aware: Ford Motor Company has issued a massive recall of over 240,000 SUVs due to potentially defective seat belts that could fail during a crash.
The recall affected popular American-made vehicles, including the 2020-2021 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator models manufactured at the company’s Chicago Assembly Plant.
This critical safety issue was only discovered after a complaint from Canadian authorities, raising questions about quality control at Ford’s manufacturing partners.
The recall specifically targets 216,563 Ford Explorers and 23,947 Lincoln Aviators built between October 2018 and July 2020.
The problem stems from improperly secured seat belt buckle anchor bolts that could come loose during a collision, potentially leaving passengers unrestrained at the moment they need protection most.
Affected vehicles may exhibit warning signs such as unusual squeaks and rattles from loose anchor bolts.
The company began investigating this serious safety concern in December 2024 following a defect complaint from Transport Canada about a 2020 Explorer.
After months of investigation, the company determined that the problem originated with seat manufacturer Lear, not at Ford’s own facilities.
This outsourcing of critical safety components raises concerns about accountability in the automotive supply chain.
While Ford claims no accidents or injuries have been reported due to this issue as of February 4, 2025, the company acknowledges four warranty claims and one customer complaint potentially related to the defect.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has assigned campaign number 25V093 to this recall, with Ford using internal reference number 25S09.
Vehicle owners will have to take time out of their busy schedules to visit dealerships for repairs. Ford dealers will inspect all affected vehicles and replace seat components if loose anchor bolts are found at no cost to owners.
Despite affecting over 240,000 vehicles, the car manufacturer estimates that less than one percent actually have the defect – but all will require inspection by service technicians, creating unnecessary hassle for thousands of loyal American customers.
Furthermore, owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by March 31, 2025. Those affected can contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332 using recall number 25S09 for more information.
Any owners who already paid for repairs addressing this issue out-of-pocket will be eligible for reimbursement, though they will need to navigate Ford’s claims process to receive compensation.
This recall is yet another example of the ongoing quality control issues plaguing the American automotive industry.
Ultimately, manufacturing inconsistencies potentially put families at risk when they trust their safety to major manufacturers like Ford.
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