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Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator Airbag Bolts Loose

NHTSA campaign 20V497000 · Reported Aug 21, 2020 · Ford Motor Company

high How serious is it? About this label

If these fasteners were not properly tightened, side airbag deployment could be affected, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	20V497000
Reported to NHTSA	Aug 21, 2020
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Part affected	AIR Bags:critical Fasteners
Vehicles covered	2 model/year combinations, model years 2020
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Some 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles may have side airbag and seat back attachments in one or both front seats that were not properly tightened during assembly. These are the fasteners that hold the side airbag and seat back components in place in the front seats.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2. Contact a Ford dealer, or call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
3. The repair (removing seat back panels to verify the fasteners are properly tightened) is free.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 20V497000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (2)

2020 Ford Explorer
2020 Lincoln Aviator

Who to contact

Ford — official Ford recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Lincoln — official Lincoln recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Ford Airbag Recalls Involving Deployment Failures and Loose Components · all 14 Ford recalls in this area
Lincoln Air Bag Recalls Involving Covers, Attachments, Sensors, and Deployment · all 5 Lincoln recalls in this area

Other Ford Explorer recalls

Jul 21, 2026Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator Seats May Reclinemedium
Jul 14, 2026Ford Explorer Roof Rail Covers May Detachhigh
Jul 14, 2026Ford, Lincoln Second-Row Seats May Shift Unexpectedlyhigh
Jun 24, 2026Ford, Lincoln SUVs: Transmission Park System May Failhigh
Jun 9, 2026Ford Explorer Park System May Fail, Rollaway Riskhigh
May 27, 2026Ford Explorer Engine May Fail Suddenlyhigh

All 68 Explorer recalls

Official notice

Component: AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The side air bag and/or seat back module attachments may not have been properly tightened in the front seat backs.
Safety risk: If the side air bag or seat back fasteners were not properly tightened, the side air bag deployment could be affected, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove front seat back panels from one or both front seats (VIN-specific) and verify that the fasteners have been properly tightened, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S48.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.