Ford is recalling 171 2025 Expedition and Navigator SUVs because the passenger air bag can deploy too forcefully. Free repair at a franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 171 2025 Expedition and Navigator vehicles because the passenger side air bag was manufactured incorrectly and can deploy with excessive force in a crash. That excessive deployment can increase the risk of injury, and the dealer repair will be free once Ford makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The issue is in the passenger side air bag inflator on certain 2025 Expedition and Navigator vehicles. The inflator is the metal unit that releases gas to fill the air bag during a crash, and its circular wire mesh filter helps control that gas flow before it reaches the cushion.
On affected vehicles, the supplier built some inflators with filter mesh outside specification. That reduces gas flow around the end cap and through the filter plate, raising pressure inside the air bag system. If the air bag deploys in a crash, that higher pressure can make the passenger side air bag deploy with excessive force.
There is no warning sign before failure. Ford said it is not aware of warranty, field, customer, accident, or injury reports tied to this condition.
Who's affected?
The Expedition and Navigator scope is tied to the same passenger-side airbag inflator filter mesh; VINs became searchable on June 30, 2025.
| 2025 Ford Expedition | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2025 Lincoln Navigator | front air bag |
| Units affected | 171 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2025 Expedition or Navigator does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
The passenger side air bag can deploy with excessive force during a crash, which increases the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before deployment, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the repair when the dealer is ready. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025 Ford Expedition or Lincoln Navigator is included in this recall.
- Watch for Ford's owner letter mailed August 8, 2025, or ask Ford customer service for recall instructions if you did not receive it.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer after confirming the repair is open for your VIN.
- Schedule the passenger-side air bag replacement that fixes the excessive deployment force problem.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 25V439 and Ford recall 25S51 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Ford has identified the dealer repair for this recall. At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the passenger side air bag covered by campaign 25V439. Confirm with the service desk that the repair is open for your VIN before scheduling. Once available, the recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. If you already paid for a related passenger side air bag repair before the recall notice, Ford's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your repair paperwork to the service desk or contact Ford Customer Service for claim instructions.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 27, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| June 30, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 30, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 8, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 11, 2025 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V439?
Recall 25V439 covers 171 2025 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles with passenger-side air bags that were manufactured incorrectly. The air bag can deploy with excessive force during a crash, increasing injury risk. Dealers will replace the passenger-side air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2025 Ford Expedition or Lincoln Navigator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 25V439. If it is, contact a franchised dealer to schedule the passenger-side air bag replacement. Reference Ford recall number 25S51 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. For recall 25V439, dealers will replace the affected passenger-side air bag free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury from an air bag that deploys with excessive force during a crash. The concern is limited to the passenger-side frontal air bag named in recall 25V439. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free dealer repair if your vehicle is included.
When were owner letters mailed for recall 25V439?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on August 8, 2025. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your 2025 Expedition or Navigator is included before calling the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V439000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V439 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V439000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (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 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →