Ford Owners Urged to Check Vehicles as Nearly 420,000 SUVs Are Recalled and Some Drivers Face ‘Do Not Drive’ Warning

Ford owners may want to check their mailboxes — or their VIN numbers — sooner rather than later. The automaker has launched several safety recalls affecting nearly 420,000 vehicles, while a separate issue has triggered a rare and urgent “Do Not Drive” warning for thousands of customers.

The largest recall involves certain 2018 through 2022 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), defective seat belt retractors could prevent the belts from extending or retracting properly, potentially increasing the risk of injury in a crash. Ford has linked the problem to multiple warranty claims, field reports, and at least one reported injury.

Vehicle recalls are common in the auto industry, but the combination of a massive safety campaign and an unusual “Do Not Drive” advisory has attracted widespread attention. The actions involve some of Ford’s best-selling SUVs and pickups, making it critical for owners to find out whether their vehicles are affected.

Nearly 420,000 SUVs Recalled Over Seat Belt Issues

The largest action covers about 420,000 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models built between 2018 and 2022. Investigators found that seat belts in some vehicles may unexpectedly lock, preventing them from functioning as designed.

Safety regulators warn that faulty seat belts could fail to properly protect passengers during a collision. In certain situations, the belts may also retract too quickly, creating an additional risk of injury. The latest recall expands on two earlier investigations involving similar problems.

Ford dealerships will inspect the front seat belt retractors and replace them if necessary at no cost to owners. Notification letters are expected to be mailed to customers, and the company recommends scheduling service appointments as soon as owners confirm their vehicles are included. All repairs will be performed free of charge at authorized Ford and Lincoln dealerships.

Why Some Owners Are Being Told Not to Drive

Separate from the seat belt campaign, Ford has issued one of its strongest safety warnings for a much smaller number of vehicles — certain 2021 through 2026 Bronco Sport SUVs and 2022 through 2026 Maverick pickups.

Roughly 4,653 vehicles are affected by a problem involving front lower control arm ball joints that may have been installed or repaired incorrectly. According to filings with Ford and the NHTSA, the defect could allow the control arm to separate from the front wheel knuckle while the vehicle is moving, potentially causing a sudden loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

Because of the seriousness of the issue, Ford is advising affected owners not to drive their vehicles until they have been inspected and repaired. The company is covering towing costs and is encouraging customers to contact their dealers directly rather than attempting to drive the vehicles to a service center. Most Bronco Sport and Maverick models are not impacted, but owners are being urged to verify their VINs immediately.

What Owners Should Do

For drivers, the first step is determining whether their vehicle is included in either recall. Owners can use Ford’s recall lookup tool or the NHTSA database to check their VINs and see whether action is required. Ford says repairs related to both recalls will be provided free of charge.

Owners of Expedition and Navigator SUVs should watch for official recall notices and arrange inspections if their vehicles are affected. While those vehicles can still be driven until repairs are completed, the company recommends addressing the issue promptly because of the potential safety risks.

For Bronco Sport and Maverick owners included in the suspension-related recall, the message is much more urgent. Ford is advising customers not to drive the vehicle until it has been inspected and repaired. The latest recalls serve as another reminder that even relatively small defects can pose serious dangers when they involve critical safety systems.