Ford recall 18V805 covers 34,946 2018 Expedition and Navigator vehicles for a second-row center-seat bracket defect. Free repair once Ford opens it.
Ford is recalling 34,946 2018 Expedition and Navigator SUVs because the second-row center seat track assemblies can be missing one or both J-Channel reinforcement brackets. In a crash, the seat can move and fail to properly restrain the occupant, which raises the risk of injury; the dealer repair will be free once Ford opens it.
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What's wrong?
The second row center seat track in the 2018 Expedition and Navigator is the rail assembly that lets the middle bench seat slide forward and back. Its J-channel reinforcement brackets are small structural pieces in that track. They help the seat track hold its shape and stay attached when the seat is occupied, including during a crash.
On affected vehicles, the supplier did not consistently install one or both J-channel reinforcement brackets during manual assembly. Ford traced the issue to the seat supplier's detection process, where the wrong laser sensor was being used to confirm the brackets were present. Without the reinforcement, the lower seat track can peel or tear when the center seat is adjusted fully forward or near fully forward. If that happens in a crash, the seat can move instead of staying secured.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat can adjust and appear normal even when one or both reinforcement brackets are missing.
Who's affected?
Expedition and Navigator are listed separately, but both point to the same seat assembly.
| 2018 Ford Expedition | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2018 Lincoln Navigator | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 34,946 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2018 Expedition or Navigator does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, a loose seat can move instead of holding the occupant in place, increasing the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before the problem shows up, so confirm whether your VIN is included and follow Ford's interim notice. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once Ford opens it.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Ford Expedition or Lincoln Navigator is included in this recall.
- Watch for Ford's remedy letter before scheduling the final dealer repair.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions, and reference recall number 18V805.
- Avoid seating a passenger in the second-row center seat until Ford confirms the inspection and repair are available.
- Schedule the free Ford dealer inspection once the remedy opens. The dealer will check for missing J-channel reinforcement brackets and replace the center seat frame assembly to fix the crash-restraint risk.
What happens at the repair
Ford's interim notice has gone to owners while the final remedy remains unavailable. Once Ford opens the final dealer repair, a Ford technician will inspect the second row center seat for missing J-channel reinforcement brackets and replace the center seat frame assembly if the brackets are missing. The final dealer repair will be free once available. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because Ford says the warranty provides a free repair for this concern. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| November 14, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 15, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| November 15, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 17, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 17, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 15, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V805?
Recall 18V805 covers 34,946 2018 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles with second row center seat track assemblies that lack one or both J-Channel reinforcement brackets. In a crash, the seat can move and fail to restrain the occupant properly, increasing injury risk.
What should I do if my 2018 Ford Expedition or Lincoln Navigator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V805. If it is, call a franchised Ford dealer and ask for the second row center seat inspection tied to Ford recall number 18S37. Ford lists the remedy as interim, so ask the dealer for current repair status before scheduling.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Ford says dealers will inspect the second row center seat and replace the center seat frame assembly as necessary free of charge. Federal recall law also requires the manufacturer to complete the recall remedy at no cost when the repair is available.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is occupant restraint failure in a crash. If the second row center seat track is missing the J-Channel reinforcement brackets, the seat can move during a crash and fail to hold the occupant properly, increasing the risk of injury.
When did Ford notify owners about recall 18V805?
Ford sent an interim owner notification on December 21, 2018. The recall filing said a second letter would follow once the remedy was available. If you never received a letter, check your VIN and give the dealer Ford recall number 18S37.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V805000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V805 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V805000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →