Recall 20V305 affects 1,616 2016-2017 Ford Transit Connect vehicles for seat belt pretensioner initiators. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 1,616 2016-2017 Transit Connect vehicles because the front driver or passenger seat belt pretensioner initiators can contain an improper generant mix ratio. In a crash, the pretensioners can fail to deploy, increasing injury risk; Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front seat belt pretensioner in a 2016-2017 Ford Transit Connect is part of the seat belt assembly. In a crash, the pretensioner is designed to tighten the belt quickly so the driver or passenger is held more firmly against the seat.
In NHTSA campaign 20V305, some front driver or passenger pretensioners were built with initiators that have the wrong generant mix ratio. The initiator is the small charge that starts the pretensioner action. When that mix is wrong, the pretensioner can fail to deploy during a crash, leaving the belt without that extra tightening function. Ford traced the issue to a supplier production deviation.
There is no warning sign before failure. The belt can look and feel normal in daily use, and the problem only shows up when the pretensioner is needed in a crash.
Who's affected?
The same front passenger seat belt assembly is listed under the front belt and pretensioner components.
| 2016 Ford Transit Connect | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2016 Ford Transit Connect | seat belt |
| 2017 Ford Transit Connect | seat belt |
| 2017 Ford Transit Connect | seat belt |
| Units affected | 1,616 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, the front driver or passenger seat belt pretensioner can fail to deploy, increasing injury risk. There is no warning sign for this defect, so the VIN check and dealer inspection matter more than symptoms. Schedule the inspection soon and drive cautiously until the seat belt assemblies are inspected or replaced. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Ford Transit Connect is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free seat belt inspection and assembly replacement that addresses front pretensioners at risk of not deploying in a crash.
- Bring the owner letter if Ford mailed one, or reference recall number 20V305 when you call.
- Drive with care until the repair is complete and keep every occupant buckled.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the front driver and passenger seat belt assemblies and replaces any assembly covered by the recall that needs replacement. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Ford excludes a separate reimbursement program because the original warranty program would have provided a free repair for this concern. If you have prior repair paperwork, ask the Ford service desk how that warranty coverage applies to your Transit Connect.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| May 27, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 28, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| May 28, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 22, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 7, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V305?
Recall 20V305 covers 1,616 2016-2017 Ford Transit Connect vehicles with front seat belt pretensioner initiators that have an improper generant mix ratio. In a crash, the pretensioners can fail to deploy, increasing injury risk. Ford dealers inspect and replace affected seat belt assemblies for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Ford Transit Connect is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Transit Connect is included in recall 20V305. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the seat belt inspection and any needed seat belt assembly replacement. Reference Ford recall number 20S25 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford dealers will inspect and replace affected front seat belt assemblies as necessary for free. The recall repair has been available since August 7, 2020.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is higher injury risk in a crash. The front driver or passenger seat belt pretensioner can fail to deploy, which means the belt system does not tighten as designed during a collision. If your VIN is included, schedule the free Ford dealer repair.
What if I bought my Ford Transit Connect used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the original owner, so a used 2016-2017 Ford Transit Connect still qualifies if its VIN is included. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 20V305 or Ford number 20S25.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V305000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V305 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V305000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →