The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) closed its investigation in mid-2025 into unintended seat-belt pretensioner deployments in certain Ford Explorers and Lincoln Navigators, model years 2018–2020. Ford’s recent recall and follow‑up efforts aim to safeguard drivers and riders.
What’s Happening
Dealer actions: Inspect date codes on seat‑belt retractors. If they fall within the suspect production range, they’ll replace them at no cost.
In April 2025, Ford issued a major recall covering approximately 105,322 SUVs—Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators, model years 2018–2020—to inspect and replace driver and front‑passenger seat‑belt retractor pretensioners free of charge.e
The defect stems from corroded squib pins inside the pretensioner assembly. This corrosion may cause the seat belt to lock, preventing normal retraction or extension.
2025 Ford Expedition Owner Experiences: Seat Belt Pre-Tensioner Concerns
Reports filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2025 indicate that some Ford Expedition owners have experienced the unexpected deployment of seatbelt pre-tensioners.
Owners describe the event as sudden and jarring. In several cases, the pre-tensioners activated without any collision, accompanied by:
- A loud, explosion-like noise
- Immediate and forceful tightening of the seat belt around the torso
- Sensations of chest impact, described as feeling like a punch or kick
- Burning odors and visible smoke inside the cabin
These accounts highlight potential safety and comfort concerns that owners believe Ford and regulators need to address in 2025.
Affected Vehicles in 2025
In 2025, approximately 20,331 Ford Expedition SUVs are reported to be affected by a seat belt pretensioner issue. The investigation focuses specifically on the 2025 model year, raising safety concerns for both consumers and regulators.
The Ford Expedition shares its platform with the Lincoln Navigator, and both models are built on the same underpinnings as the Ford F-150 pickup truck. Due to this shared architecture, industry experts are closely monitoring whether the anomaly could extend beyond the Expedition lineup.
Key Details
- Model year affected: 2025
- Vehicle type: Ford Expedition SUV
- Estimated number of vehicles impacted: 20,331
- Related models: Lincoln Navigator (same platform), Ford F-150 (underpinnings)
Ford’s Response to Ongoing NHTSA Investigation
As of 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) continues its preliminary investigation into the abnormal deployment of seat belt pre-tensioners in certain Ford vehicles. While no official recall has been issued yet, the agency is focused on identifying the underlying cause.
Key potential factors under review include:
- Faulty wiring
- Software logic glitches
- Sensor misalignment
- Defects within the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) module
If the NHTSA determines that a recall is necessary, Ford will be required to implement corrective measures to ensure customer safety and regulatory compliance.
What Does This Mean for Ford Owners?
At this stage, Ford owners do not need to take immediate action. However, staying informed is essential. Ford is expected to cooperate fully with federal regulators and provide solutions if safety risks are confirmed.
Seat Belt Pretensioner Problems and California Lemon Law
If you’re dealing with seat belt pretensioner problems in your Ford Expedition, you may be wondering whether this qualifies as a lemon under California Lemon Law. In 2025, Lemon Law protections remain strong for consumers who buy or lease vehicles that cannot be repaired within a reasonable number of attempts.
A faulty seat belt pretensioner is not a minor inconvenience—it’s a serious safety hazard. When a seat belt pretensioner fails to function correctly, it may not tighten the belt during a crash, thereby increasing the risk of injury to passengers. If this defect persists despite multiple repair attempts, California law may allow you to pursue a Lemon Law claim.
What is a Seat Belt Pretensioner?
A seat belt pretensioner is a safety device designed to tighten the seat belt instantly during a collision, keeping passengers firmly in place. If this mechanism is defective, it undermines one of the vehicle’s most critical safety features.
Does a Faulty Seat Belt Pretensioner Qualify Under Lemon Law?
Yes, it can. Under California Lemon Law (as of 2025):
- The defect must substantially affect the vehicle’s use, value, or safety.
- The manufacturer or dealer must have had a reasonable number of attempts to repair the problem.
- If the defect remains unresolved, you may be eligible for a replacement vehicle or refund.
Q: How many repair attempts are considered “reasonable” under Lemon Law?
A: California law does not give a fixed number, but generally, 2–4 failed attempts on a serious safety issue (like seat belts) may be enough.
Q: Do I need a lawyer for a Lemon Law claim?
A: While you can file a claim yourself, a Lemon Law attorney increases your chances of success. In many cases, the manufacturer covers attorney fees, so you may not have to pay out of pocket.
Q: Does it matter that my vehicle is a 2019 model?
A: No. What matters in 2025 is whether the defect remains unresolved despite warranty coverage or repeated repairs, not the model year itself.
