Recall 25V093 covers 240,510 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles for loose seat belt bolts. Repair will be free at any franchised Lincoln dealer once available.
Ford recall 25V093 covers 240,510 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles because seat belt buckle anchor bolts, retractors, or second-row center belt anchors were improperly secured. A loose belt or buckle can fail to restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing injury risk, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The seat belt buckle and retractor anchors in these 2020-2021 Aviator and Explorer vehicles fasten the restraint hardware to the seat structure. The buckle holds the latch plate when the belt is clicked in, while the retractor manages belt tension and locks the belt during a stop or crash. Those parts depend on anchor bolts that are fully seated and secured.
Ford traced the concern to undocumented seat rework performed outside standard procedures after restraint assemblies were first installed. During that rework, an anchor bolt for a buckle, retractor, or second-row center belt position was left loose or missing on certain seats. If the bolt is not secured, the seat belt hardware does not have the intended attachment to the seat structure.
Owners can notice noise from the affected seating area, including squeaks or rattles, when an anchor bolt is loose. That noise is the warning sign Ford identified for this defect.
Who's affected?
Aviator and Explorer SUVs from 2020-2021 share the same third-row seat belt buckle assembly named in this recall.
| 2020 Lincoln Aviator | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2020 Ford Explorer | seat belt |
| 2021 Lincoln Aviator | seat belt |
| 2021 Ford Explorer | seat belt |
| Units affected | 240,510 |
| 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 SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A loose seat belt or buckle can fail to properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. A squeak or rattle from a seating position is a reason to stop using that seat and arrange inspection. Repair will be free at any franchised Lincoln dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator or Explorer is included in this recall.
- Watch for the owner letter mailed June 5, 2025, if you have not received one yet.
- Call Lincoln customer service at 866-436-7332 with questions and reference recall number 25V093 (Lincoln recall 25S09) when you call.
- Keep using the proper seat belt in every seating position, but avoid carrying passengers in seats where the belt or buckle feels loose.
- Schedule the free seat-belt anchor-bolt inspection once the repair is open; the dealer replaces affected seat components if loose anchor bolts are found.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair will be free once Lincoln opens it. The planned repair has a Lincoln technician inspect seat belt buckle anchor bolts in all seating positions. If the vehicle has a center seat in the second row, the technician also inspects the seat belt retractor anchor bolt and seat belt anchor bolt there. If loose anchor bolts are found, the affected seat components are replaced. If you already paid for this repair before the recall notice, Ford's standard reimbursement plan covers eligible documented expenses. Bring your repair paperwork to the service desk or contact Ford customer service to start the reimbursement review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 14, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 17, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| February 17, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 31, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 31, 2025 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 5, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V093?
Recall 25V093 covers 240,510 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles with seat belt buckle anchor bolts that can be improperly secured. A loose seat belt or buckle can fail to properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing injury risk.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator or Ford Explorer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 25V093. If it is, contact a franchised dealer for your vehicle brand and ask for the seat belt anchor bolt inspection. Reference recall 25V093 or Ford recall 25S09 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford says dealers will inspect the seat belt buckle anchor bolts and related second-row center seat belt anchors free of charge. Loose affected seat components will be replaced free.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is occupant protection in a crash. If a seat belt buckle, retractor anchor bolt, or seat belt anchor bolt is loose, the belt system can fail to restrain the person in that seat properly, increasing the risk of injury.
When were owners notified about recall 25V093?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on June 5, 2025. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, the VIN still decides whether the recall applies. Check your VIN, then call the dealer with recall number 25V093 or Ford recall 25S09.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V093000 |
|---|---|
| Lincoln customer service | 866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V093 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V093000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →