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2018 Ford Expedition seat belts problems

15 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 26,600.

owner complaints
15
of this car's complaints
4%
typical mileage
26,600
crashes
0
recalls
3

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Expedition seat belts problems in other years

199720002010201520202024

Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Ford Expedition seat belts

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Seat belt 6

Related recalls

Seat belts: pretensionerReported May 27, 2026 · 419,967 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Risk
Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 8, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S34. This recall replaces and expands previous the federal safety agency recalls 24V099 and 25V197. Vehicles previously inspected or repaired under the prior recalls will need the new repair completed.

Recall number 26V344000 · Recall details

Seat belts: pretensionerReported May 23, 2025 · 112,951 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Risk
Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S31. Some vehicles in this recall that were previously inspected under recall 24V‑099 and did not have parts replaced will need to have this new recall remedy completed.

Recall number 25V197000 · Recall details

Seat belts: pretensionerReported February 9, 2024 · 77,574 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently deploy and lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Risk
Seat belts that do not retract or extend may fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors, as necessary. Additionally, dealers will install an HVAC drain tube elbow if it is missing. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S06.

Recall number 24V099000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Seat Belt Retractor Pretensioner Inadvertent DeploymentOpened November 15, 2024, closed July 23, 2025

On November 22, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) PE23021 to investigate complaints of front seat belt retractor pretensioner inadvertent deployment in model year (MY) 2019 Ford Expedition vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company. Some complaints alleged hearing a loud, explosion-like sound immediately followed by the seat belt tightening around the occupant’s torso area. The complaints did not state that a crash occurred that may have resulted in the deployment of the pretensioner system, suggesting that this deployment was inadvertent or otherwise unwarranted. On February 9, 2024, Ford issued safety recall 24V‑099, recalling certain MY 2018-2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with driver and front passenger seat belt retractor pretensioners built between October 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019. Ford described the defect as a seat belt retractor pretensioner assembly that may develop corroded squib pins, resulting in high resistance or an open circuit, which could result in an inadvertent deployment of a pretensioner and an increased risk of injury due to the loss of the pretensioner’s protection and a seat belt that remains in the locked position. This recall includes 77,574 vehicles. On November 15, 2024, ODI opened this Recall Query (RQ24015) after receiving 3 complaints involving vehicles not included in recall 23V‑099 but that alleged a similar failure. As a result of this investigation, Ford issued safety recall 25V‑197 on March 28, 2025, to expand the scope of 24V‑099 to include MY 2018-2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with driver and front passenger seat belt retractor pretensioners built between October 1, 2018, and July 31, 2020. This recall includes 105,322 vehicles, some of which are also included in 24V‑099. Additionally, on May 23, 2025, Ford issued 25V‑197 Amendment #1, which further expands the recall population’s scope for vehicles with build dates of September 2018. This amendment added 7,627 additional vehicles to the 25V‑197 population. In response to ODI’s inquiries in RQ24015, Ford indicated that it cannot conclusively determine the root cause of the relevant failure. Ford was able to determine that certain pretensioners may develop corroded squib pins potentially resulting in inadvertent deployment, but it was unable to specify the cause of corrosion. Without a specific root cause, Ford assessed field performance of pretensioners to determine the scope of the recalls. ODI is aware of three vehicles that experienced pretensioner inadvertent deployment that are not included in either 25V‑197 or 24V‑099. Two of these vehicles are MY 2018 Lincoln Navigator vehicles built prior to October 1, 2018, and both experienced failures after more than six years of use/exposure while the recalled vehicles experienced higher rate of failures with less exposure. The remaining incident involves a MY 2021 Ford Expedition that was built after July 31, 2020. ODI is not aware of any other relevant failures in vehicles built after July 31, 2020. As such, ODI has not currently identified a safety defect trend for this issue in vehicles outside of the recalled populations. ODI will continue to monitor allegations of pretensioner inadvertent deployment in subject vehicles that are not included in 25V‑197. In view of the safety recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ24015). The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to

RQ24015

What 2018 Ford Expedition owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Body, Seat belts · 180,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact received notifications for the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 26V344000 (Seat Belts), 26V368000 (Structure), and 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the parts to complete the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the recall repairs. The contact stated that the transmission required multiple attempts to shift into park(P), and the failure became more frequent over time. While in park(P) with the parking brake engaged, the vehicle experienced unintended rollaway. The contact re-entered the vehicle and, after multiple attempts, shifted the transmission into park(P) and engaged the parking brake. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that remedy parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Seat belts · 98,650 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, her daughter became entrapped by the rear passenger-side seat belt. The seat belt continuously clicked tighter, forcing the contact to cut the belt strap to free her daughter. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts), which the contact associated with the failure. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that because there was no recall regarding a rear passenger-side seat belt failure, assistance could not be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 98,650.

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Seat belts · TN

Manufacturer Recall Number26S34 the federal safety agency Recall Number26V344 Ford promised a remedy by 9/30/2026. There is still no remedy.

Filed Aug 12, 2026 · Seat belts · VA

There is a seat belt recall and 3 other recalls that ford corp office and the dealership in henderson nc told me the parts are not available until 2027 and I am expected to drive this vehicle please help me

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Body, Seat belts · AR

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 24V099000 (Seat Belts), 26V344000 (Seat Belts), 26V368000 (Structure), and 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Body, Seat belts · NY

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 25V197000 (Seat Belts), 26V344000 (Seat Belts), 26V368000 (Structure), and 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Oct 3, 2025 · Seat belts · 121,992 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V197000 (Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal firecracker-like sound coming from the vehicle. The contact later noticed that the front driver's side seat belt had retracted and was locked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the seat belt pretensioner had deployed, causing the seat belt to be locked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the same assessment was made; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to continue driving the vehicle even though the front driver's side seat belt was inoperable. The failure mileage was approximately 121,992.

Filed Sep 16, 2025 · Seat belts · TN

My vehicle is having the exact same issue addressed in Recall 24S06. Although Ford’s system indicates that my VIN is not included in the recall due to its manufacturing date, my vehicle is exhibiting the same safety defect that the recall resolves. My vehicle was manufactured 2 months prior to the date of manufacture that was included in the recall. My Vehicle is the same year, make and model of the vehicles included. Specifically: The Airbag light is on and received a message that says: The restrains control module has detected a fault with the passenger seatbelt retractor pretensioner circuit , causing drivability and safety concerns.

Filed Aug 7, 2025 · Seat belts · 26,600 miles · FL · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 20 MPH, the front driver's side seat belt exploded, making a loud popping sound, and the seat belt tightened and pulled the driver back into the seat. Additionally, the automatic emergency braking system engaged, causing the vehicle to stop. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband stated that the cabin was filled with smoke and an electrical burning odor was noticed. The driver pulled over, but the seat belt had significantly retracted and was able to be unbuckled after several attempts. The contact’s husband sustained a seat belt mark on the left shoulder, but no medical attention was received. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed of that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V197000 (Seat Belts); however, the contact stated that the recall notification had not been received and the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 26,600.

Filed Jun 17, 2025 · Seat belts · NV · 1 injury

Went to leave for work and as I started my vehicle and pulled my seat belt to put it on and the seat belt pretensioner went off.

Questions about the 2018 Ford Expedition seat belts

Does the 2018 Ford Expedition have seat belts problems?

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the seat belts of the 2018 Ford Expedition, 4% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2018 Ford Expedition seat belts problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 26,600 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Ford Expedition seat belts?

Yes, 3 recalls: 26V344000, 25V197000, 24V099000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Expedition have the most seat belts problems?

The Ford Expedition model years with the most seat belts complaints are 2019 (118 complaints), 2020 (40 complaints) and 2001 (36 complaints).

Other 2018 Ford Expedition problems

Transmission 150Engine 120Electrical 34Suspension 26Lights 25Acceleration 15Brakes 15Body 14Fuel system 9Visibility 9Wheels 9Airbags 5Locks 4Steering 4Driver assistance 2Seats 1

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