Recall 20V250 covers 5 2019-2020 Ford Transit and Promaster vans with Freedman GO-ES seat-belt retractors. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 5 2019-2020 Transit and Promaster vans equipped with Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats because the seat belt retractor block out zone was not set correctly. The belt can fail to properly secure an occupant in a crash, increasing injury risk; the dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The Freedman GO-ES foldaway seat in the 2019-2020 Ford Transit and Promaster vans uses a seat belt retractor to manage the belt webbing. The retractor lets the belt pull out for buckling, then holds the belt in place when it has to restrain the occupant. On these foldaway seats, that retractor is part of the seat itself, not just the van body.
In recall 20V250, the retractor block out zone was not set correctly on certain seats. That zone controls when the belt is allowed to move and when it must lock or hold firmly. If it is set wrong, the belt does not meet the federal seat belt assembly standard and does not properly secure the person using that seat.
There is no warning sign before failure. The belt can look normal during everyday use, so the VIN and seat equipment decide whether this recall applies.
Who's affected?
Covers Transit and Promaster vans from the 2019 and 2020 model years, all fitted with the same Freedman GO-ES Foldaway seat belt retractor.
| 2019 Ford Transit | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2019 Ram Promaster | seat belt |
| 2020 Ford Transit | seat belt |
| Units affected | 5 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
A seat-belt retractor that fails to secure an occupant raises the risk of injury in a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm your VIN and schedule the recall repair. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 Ford Transit or Promaster with a Freedman GO-ES foldaway seat is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free seat-belt retractor replacement that corrects the foldaway-seat belt securement issue.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 20V250 when you call.
- Use another seating position until the repair if the foldaway-seat belt does not latch or hold the occupant securely.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the seat belt retractors for the Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats covered by recall 20V250. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. If you've already paid for this seat belt retractor repair, Freedman Seating Company reimburses parts and labor at $25.00 per belt. Keep the repair paperwork and contact Freedman customer service to start the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 5, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 19, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 26, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| May 26, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 9, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V250?
Recall 20V250 covers 5 2019-2020 Ford Transit and Ram Promaster vans equipped with Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats. The seat belt retractor setting was incorrect, so the belt can fail to properly secure an occupant. Dealers will replace the retractors for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2020 Ford Transit or Ram Promaster is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 20V250. If it is, contact a franchised dealer or Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 to arrange the seat belt retractor replacement. Reference recall number 20V250 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 20V250, dealers will replace the affected seat belt retractors free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that an occupant is not properly secured by the seat belt. In a crash, that increases the risk of injury. Until the retractor replacement is completed, confirm your VIN and arrange the free dealer repair.
When did the recall repair start?
The recall repair began May 19, 2020. Because that date has passed, affected owners can contact a franchised dealer or Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 to arrange the free seat belt retractor replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V250000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-800-443-4540 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V250 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V250000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →