2019 Ford Expedition: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · Seat belts · TX

While I, the driver, was parking the vehicle, there was a loud pop noise next to my ear. My seatbelt locked up in place and there was smoke coming from the seatbelt tensioner area of the car. The seatbelt will not move at all now. I just took it into the Ford dealer and they said they are unable to fix it under the recall because it is only in the advanced stages. They recommend that I wait.

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Seat belts · OK

While driving down the highway I suddenly heard a loud bang and what looked like smoke came out from the area by the front passenger seatbelt. The seatbelt had suddenly retracted fully and locked. Thankfully the seat was unoccupied at the time, so nobody was injured by this. When calling the local Ford dealership we were told we needed to bring vehicle in for inspection before parts could be ordered. When we called back to schedule the inspection we were told the recall was paused so we needed to wait to even have the inspection. After contacting Ford corporate we were finally able to bring in for inspection 06/01/2026 to confirm what we already knew about the broken seatbelt retractor. The dealership relayed this info to Ford, and Ford told them not to fix it at this time. When we called the dealership 06/08 they relayed that info to us. We then requested that Ford provide us a loaner vehicle. The dealership called us back 06/09 to let us know that Ford would not be providing a loaner vehicle. Our front passenger seat is occupied about 95% of the time, and that seatbelt is completely unusable. We have not been given any kind of timeline for when it can be repaired, and have no other option but to drive it the way it is. It is illegal and we are forced to put the life of one of our family members at risk because we do not have any extra seats or the money to buy yet another vehicle or pay for a rental as we are still paying for this vehicle that we bought less than a year ago.

Filed May 3, 2026 · Seat belts · TN

Complaint: While driving at normal road speed with no collision or impact, I experienced a sudden loud “pop” from the driver-side seatbelt area. Immediately after, I noticed a burning smell coming from the same location. I initially believed I had a tire blowout and pulled over to inspect the vehicle. When I attempted to unbuckle and then re-extend the seatbelt, I found that the seatbelt was locked and would not retract or extend normally. The restraint system is now inoperable. This incident appears to be an inadvertent deployment of the seatbelt pretensioner without a crash event, resulting in a restraint system malfunction. The failure occurred during normal driving conditions and without any external trigger. This creates a serious safety risk because: * The seatbelt is no longer functional and cannot properly restrain the occupant * The unintended deployment could startle the driver and lead to loss of vehicle control * The presence of a burning smell raises concern for thermal or electrical hazard within the restraint system I am aware of similar complaints involving unintended seatbelt pretensioner deployment in Ford Expedition vehicles of similar model years. This incident should be investigated as a potential defect affecting occupant restraint systems. I’ve contacted ford with no help to resolve the issue Injury: No Crash: No Fire: No (burning odor present, no visible flames) Speed at time of incident: 35 Mileage at time of incident: 170xxx The vehicle’s seatbelt system remains in a failed/locked condition and requires repair.

Filed Jul 24, 2025 · Seat belts · FL

On [XXX], the seatbelt pretensioner on my 2019 Ford Expedition MAX Platinum suddenly discharged without warning while the vehicle was stationary. It emitted a loud noise, caused the seatbelt to lock, and released a strong burning smell, consistent with prior reports linked to recall 24V099 / 25V197000. I purchased this vehicle used on [XXX] from Taverna Infiniti of North Miami (FL). At the time of sale, the dealership: •Did not disclose any active recalls •Provided an inspection form stating the seatbelt and warning systems were “OK” •Sold the vehicle with an illuminated airbag (SRS) warning light •Delivered the vehicle with a non-functional driver-side tail light Four days later ([XXX]), the dealer sent me a Carfax report showing the vehicle had an active the federal safety agency safety recall (24V099), issued in February 2024, with a known remedy available. The dealership knowingly sold a vehicle with an unrepaired safety defect, and the defect has now resulted in an actual pretensioner discharge — which could pose a fire risk and compromised occupant protection. I am currently working to have the vehicle serviced at a Ford-authorized dealer. I am reporting this event to document: •The failure of the seatbelt pretensioner •The dealer’s noncompliance with safety disclosure obligations •The risk posed to other consumers INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 28, 2024 · Seat belts · TX

While parking my car in my driveway as I turned the car off I heard a loud explosion in the car. There was some smoke coming out of the passenger side seatbelt area of the frame. I could smile gunpowder. The interior trim piece around the seat belt had come loose. There was a warning sign that had come on that day and I was going to check it out this weekend. I had the dealership come and get the car to check it out. I looked at an article from you that this has happened before and I think it was the seatbelt pretensior. Thanks

Filed Mar 18, 2024 · Seat belts · FL · 1 injury

Pulling up to a stop light and we heard an explosion, my wife immediately said something hit her , we smelled burning smell and smoke. My wife has a large bruise from the seatbelt and the seatbelt no longer works

Filed Aug 19, 2023 · Seat belts · TX

I was getting into my car to drive out of my drive way. Put on my seatbelt(driver side). Started to put it in drive then I heard a loud pop, then it felt like something hit my chest. My husband and daughter were in the car with me and didn’t see anything. I could smell a slight burning smell. After recovering from the pain I opened the door to try to see what happened. We notice the driver side seatbelt would not retract and was loose. We have called the local dealership to bring in.

Filed Aug 17, 2023 · Transmission · SC

The transmission on this vehicle slips in and out of gear . It is very dangerous trying to merge into traffic. It make a high pitch sound and smells a burning smell. I have not taken it to the shop yet but will have to in the near future.

Filed Mar 5, 2023 · Transmission · CA

I had a complete transmission replacement 3 weeks ago and as I was driving down a grade, the car started smoking. I immediately took it back to dealership that had just replaced the transmission. They stated that the new transmission was "factory overfilled" that caused the smoking. They called Ford and now I am on my 3rd transmission. It was covered under the warranty of the transmission I paid 3 weeks ago. This was very scary as we were traveling as a family when the car started smoking. Our car could have started on fire.

Filed Aug 14, 2020 · Acceleration, Electrical · 9,293 miles · OH · fire

Caught fire after using factory installed remote starter. A few days prior to the fire, the cruise control stopped working, after the cruise control stopped working, we received two warning lights on the dash display, service advance trac and hill decent control fault. I took photos of the dash warning and attempted to schedule a service appointment with the dealership, however the fire occurred before we could get it serviced. Ford sent their fire investigators to inspect vehicle, but we never received any explanation for the cause of the fire or a copy of their findings. The fire not only destroyed the expedition, but also caught our attached garage on fire, which caused us to also loose another vehicle along with the majority of our house hold contents. This fire occurred on an early morning while most of our family was sleeping. We could have been killed! In addition to the photos attached, I also took a brief video of the fire as the fire department was arriving on scene.

Filed Dec 4, 2019 · Transmission · 8,000 miles · GA

2019 expedition 10 speed transmission locked up after 2 hours of "free wheeling" behind my motorhome. While approaching (no turning yet) to parking area about 3 to 5 MPH suddently car just locked rear wheels up. When car was started up there were grinding sound coming out of transmission. Since unable to unlock or "free" the transmission car was sent to local dealership more than 400 miles from home. Ford dealer installed a new 10-speed transmission. Week later I attempted to pick up the car, but after an hour of driving light color smoke came behind the vehicle. Car was hauled back to same dealership for furter service. No real reason given why all these happened. ... Do I have a "lemon", vehicle has only about 8000 miles.