Recall 20V217 affects 1,355 2020 Ford Expedition vehicles for a passenger seatbelt sensor defect. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 1,355 2020 Expedition vehicles because the front passenger seatbelt buckle's Belt Tension Sensor can malfunction and misclassify the occupant. In a crash, that error can prevent the restraint system from providing its intended protection and increase injury risk; Ford dealers will replace the front passenger seatbelt buckle free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front passenger seatbelt buckle on the 2020 Ford Expedition includes a belt tension sensor. That sensor reads load at the buckle and helps the occupant classification system decide how the front passenger air bag should respond for the person sitting there.
On affected Expeditions, the sensor was damaged before installation. During supplier testing, 24V was applied to the sensor instead of the intended 12V. That extra voltage damaged the sensor's internal resistor, a small electrical part that controls the signal sent from the buckle to the occupant classification system. A bad signal can cause the system to classify the front passenger incorrectly, which affects how the restraint system responds in a crash.
The warning sign is an air bag indicator lamp in the instrument cluster. Ford's review also found that the fault can go undetected, so the air bag light is not guaranteed to come on.
Who's affected?
| 2020 Ford Expedition | seat belt |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1,355 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2020 Ford Expedition is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A faulty front passenger seatbelt buckle can keep the restraint system from providing the intended protection in a crash, increasing injury risk. Do not rely on the air bag warning light as the only sign; the malfunction can occur without that light. Schedule the buckle replacement promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Ford Expedition is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free front passenger seatbelt buckle replacement that corrects the Belt Tension Sensor occupant-classification problem.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one, or reference recall number 20V217 when you call.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions about scheduling or dealer availability.
- Use extra caution until the repair is complete, especially when carrying a front-seat passenger.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the front passenger seatbelt buckle, including the buckle assembly tied to the Belt Tension Sensor concern. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall, and the recall repair is available now. Ford excludes a separate reimbursement program because the original warranty program provides a free repair for this concern. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you already paid for related seatbelt buckle work.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| April 16, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 17, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| April 17, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 11, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 11, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 11, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V217?
Recall 20V217 covers 1,355 2020 Ford Expedition vehicles with a front passenger seatbelt buckle Belt Tension Sensor that can malfunction and misclassify the occupant. In a crash, the restraint system can provide less protection than intended. Ford dealers replace the front passenger seatbelt buckle for free.
What should I do if my 2020 Ford Expedition is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Expedition is included in recall 20V217. If it is, call a franchised Ford dealer and ask to schedule the front passenger seatbelt buckle replacement. Reference Ford recall number 20S17 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ford dealers replace the affected front passenger seatbelt buckle free of charge under recall 20V217.
Is it safe to drive my 2020 Ford Expedition before the repair?
This recall does not carry a do-not-drive order. The safety issue is still real: in a crash, the front passenger restraint system can provide less protection than intended. Confirm your VIN, schedule the free Ford dealer repair, and ask the dealer for guidance if you are concerned about passenger use before the appointment.
When did Ford start notifying owners?
Ford began owner notifications on May 11, 2020. If you bought the Expedition used or never received a letter, that does not change the recall repair. Check your VIN, then call a Ford dealer with recall number 20V217 or Ford recall number 20S17.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V217000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V217 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V217000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →