Ford Recalls More Than 387,000 SUVs Over Second-Row Seat Safety Issue
If you own a newer Ford Explorer or Lincoln Aviator, it's important to check if your SUV is part of a new Ford recall that’s affecting more than 387,000 vehicles in the United States.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a problem with certain second-row seats could prevent people from being properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Which Vehicles Are Included?
The Ford SUV recall affects certain:
2020 through 2026 Ford Explorer SUVs
2020 through 2027 Lincoln Aviator SUVs
Ford says the affected vehicles were previously repaired under an earlier recall, but some may still have an improperly installed component.
What's the Problem?
The issue involves the easy-entry switch that’s used to access the second-row outboard seats.
According to the NHTSA recall, the switch can bind or stick, allowing the seat to unlatch, tip forward, or slide unexpectedly.
If that happens while the vehicle is moving or during a crash, the seat may not properly restrain whoever’s sitting there, increasing the risk of injury.
What Should Owners Do?
Ford will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the easy-entry seat switch bezel if necessary.
Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Anyone affected is supposed to receive a letter in the mail explaining how to schedule the repair with their local Ford or Lincoln dealership.
How to Check if Your Vehicle Is Affected
Even if your SUV matches the model years listed above, it may not be included in the Ford Explorer recall or Lincoln Aviator recall.
The easiest way to find out is to enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) into the NHTSA recall lookup tool or contact your Ford or Lincoln dealer directly.
Ford Will Fix the Problem
Seat restraint systems are designed to help protect people in a crash. If a seat unexpectedly unlatches or shifts position, it may not provide the protection that the engineers designed.
While Ford hasn’t advised anyone to stop driving the affected SUVs, the company does recommend having the repair completed as soon as possible in order to keep everybody safe.
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