2019 Ford Expedition: seat belt won't latch or retract

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Seat belts · MS

My 2019 Ford Expedition is affected by Ford safety recall 25S31, which is related to the front seat belt retractor/pretensioner. The front passenger seat belt is currently stuck and cannot be used, making the front passenger seat unsafe and unusable. I contacted Ford and a Ford dealership regarding this safety recall and the defective seat belt. I was informed that the recall repair could not be completed because the necessary remedy/parts were not available. I have also contacted Ford seeking assistance because I cannot safely transport a passenger in the front passenger seat. This is a serious safety concern because the passenger seat cannot be safely occupied without a functioning seat belt. The vehicle and defective seat belt are available for inspection. I am filing this complaint because I need the safety recall repaired as soon as possible, and I am concerned about the continued delay in obtaining the necessary recall repair or replacement parts.

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Seat belts · 88,539 miles · TX · 1 injury

The contact's wife owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that after refueling and restarting the vehicle, his wife was driving away from the gas pump at 5 MPH when the vehicle experienced a sensation resembling a rear-end collision. The front driver side seat belt retracted and failed to unbuckle immediately as intended, unlatching only after multiple attempts. The driver sustained a shoulder laceration and body soreness, requiring a telehealth medical consultation. Following the failure, the seat belt became inoperable. One day prior to the failure, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and associated the failure with the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,539.

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Seat belts · 163,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while pulling into the driveway under 5 MPH, an explosive sound was coming from the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was parked and the contact exited the vehicle and performed an online search. The dealer was contacted about the failure, and the contact was advised that the front passenger’s side seat belt retractor pretensioner might have deployed. The contact inspected the seat belt and confirmed that the seat belt had retracted and locked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the front passenger’s side seat belt retractor pretensioner had deployed without impact and the failure was associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact was provided a loaner vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure via online chat, a case was filed, and the contact was advised that a callback was forthcoming. The contact called the manufacturer, who later sent an email, advising the contact to continue driving the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Seat belts · KY · 1 injury

On October 22, 2026, the front passenger seatbelt pretensioner in our Ford Expedition unexpectedly deployed while the vehicle was running. There was no collision or accident. The deployment caused the seatbelt to rapidly retract and resulted in an injury to my wife. She experienced significant shoulder/collarbone pain. We sought medical attention, and she underwent X-rays and a CT scan. Although the initial diagnosis was a sprain rather than a fracture, she continues to experience pain. Ford issued safety recall 26S34 / the federal safety agency 26V344 on May 27, 2026, specifically identifying inadvertent deployment of the driver or front passenger seatbelt retractor pretensioners. The recall notice stated that a remedy was not yet available.

Filed Oct 24, 2026 · Seat belts · FL

My 2019 Ford Expedition is subject to Ford Safety Recall 26S34 (the federal safety agency Recall 26V344), involving inadvertent deployment of seat-belt retractor pretensioners. The driver's-side seat-belt pretensioner has deployed, causing the seat belt to retract and lock in a position where it physically cannot extend far enough to fit around the driver. As a result, the driver's seat belt is completely unusable, and the vehicle cannot be safely operated. Ford previously issued an advance recall notice indicating that a remedy was anticipated by September 30, 2026. As of October 24, 2026, I have not been provided with an available remedy. I have contacted Ford Customer Service multiple times and spoken with representatives regarding this issue. Ford has informed me that because the recall remains classified as an Advance Notice, its current policy does not authorize rental vehicle assistance. The dealership has also indicated that it cannot provide a rental without authorization from Ford. I have explained repeatedly that this is not simply a vehicle awaiting a recall repair. The recalled safety component has already failed, leaving the driver's seat belt unusable. Despite these circumstances, Ford has not provided an authorized no-cost repair plan or alternative transportation assistance. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review this actual failure of a recalled safety component and Ford's response, as the vehicle cannot be safely driven in its current condition.

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Seat belts · TX · 1 injury

While driving my 2019 Ford Expedition on the interstate at approximately 75 mph, the driver side seatbelt suddenly and unexpectedly locked up and forcefully retracted without warning. At the same time, there was a loud popping sound resembling a small explosion, followed by a visible puff of smoke and a noticeable odor. There was no collision or impact that would have caused the seatbelt system to activate. The seatbelt tightened forcefully against my body cause me pain and injury. The seatbelt remained locked and could no longer be moved or adjusted. This incident created a serious safety hazard because it occurred unexpectedly while I was traveling at a highway speed. The vehicle and affected seatbelt are available for inspection. The cause of the malfunction has not yet been confirmed.

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Seat belts · 155,000 miles · KY · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact received a notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while his daughter was sitting in the front passenger-side seat, the front passenger-side seat belt suddenly retracted with force, the seat belt retractor locked, and there was white smoke. The contact's daughter sustained severe mental distress. The local dealer was contacted and referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Airbags, Seat belts · FL

Driving to pick up my son from school (in a school zone under 20 mph) while my daughter was in the back seat, we hear a loud noise sounded like a gun shot, I immediately pull over somewhere safe got out and checked the outside of my car, didnt notice anything so i opened the passenger side front door to find the plastic covering piece near the seat belt had broke off, finding the airbag had exploded, the seat belt is no longer usable, This is my only vehicle as a family of 4 with two children. I also reached out to several local dealerships neither are able to help with a loaner for the time being. in fact I was instructed by ford headquarters to keep driving the vehicle even though it does not have operating seatbelt and throwing codes on my dash.

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Seat belts · LA

While sitting in my car, in my driveway, I heard a loud BOOM, smoke, and a horrible “burning firework” smell. I jumped out of my car crying thinking my car was about to explode- later discovered my seatbelt to be extremely tight and locked. It is a recall that has no fix. It is unsafe to drive and I have been told not to drive it by dealerships which I haven’t, but the ford dealership will not take it in service bc they said they can not repair it when there is no remedy. It is against the law to not wear a seatbelt in the state of [XXX] and puts the driver at large safety risk. Every light on my dash is now lit like a Christmas tree, check engine, seatbelt, and airbag. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Seat belts · MS · 1 injury

On September 24, 2026 around 4:10PM, the driver's front seatbelt retractor/pretensioner on my 2019 Ford Expedition unexpectedly malfunctioned and deployed while I was driving on the interstate approximately 70 mph. There was no collision or crash. The seatbelt made an extremely loud popping sound and immediately tightened and locked so tightly around me that it made a rash/burn on my neck. The vehicle has an open seatbelt pretensioner recall, and the airbag warning light had illuminated prior to this incident. I called the local Ford dealer when the light came on, they told me it was not related to the seatbelt recall. I contacted a Ford dealer after the incident and reported what happened, but the vehicle and component have not yet been inspected or confirmed by the dealer, manufacturer, police (told me they would not dispatch and I needed to take it to the dealership), insurance company, or an independent service center. I also contacted Ford Corporate Customer Service and they told me I did not need to operate the car, but there is not a fix until September 30. The local dealer told me that I could bring the car to them and pay out of pocket to get it fixed, if it was the same fix the recall suggests then I would be reimbursed, my worry is, what if they fix it but then the recall suggests a different way to fix it? The vehicle and component remain available for inspection upon request. I am concerned that the unexpected deployment of the driver's pretensioner created a serious safety hazard and that another affected seatbelt in the vehicle could malfunction and cause injury to another occupant.

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Seat belts · AR

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the driver's seat belt pretensioner deployed inadvertently with an explosion and smoke filled the cabin of the vehicle, and the seat belt latched very tightly. The contact freed himself from the seat belt; however, the seat belt no longer retracted and became inoperable. The contact stated that an air bag module warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was a gun powder odor inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance in replacing the seat belt and pretensioner. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.

Filed Sep 18, 2026 · Airbags, Seat belts · NC

While driving my 2019 Ford Expedition the passenger airbag deployed unexpectedly. This resulted in the seat belt not retracting or extending. There were no warnings, messages or problems prior to this occurring. Yes, safety was put at risk by the airbag deploying unexpectedly and the seat belt quickly retracting , it was very startling. This also caused damage to my passenger seat