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Ford Expedition may mistake a child for an adult

NHTSA campaign 20V574000 · Reported 2020-09-23 · Ford Motor Company

high How serious is it? About this label

Serious for families: the notice does not say to stop driving, but a child in the front passenger seat could be hurt by an airbag that should have been switched off, so keep children in the back until it's fixed.

What's wrong, in plain English

A sensor built into the front passenger seat belt measures how the belt is pulled to judge whether a child or an adult is sitting there. On these Expeditions, it can read a child as an adult. Normally the system switches the passenger airbag off for a small occupant; with the wrong reading, the airbag can go off in a crash instead of staying off, which can injure a child in that seat. Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle free.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is covered.
2. Call your Ford dealer or Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 (recall 20S54) to schedule the repair.
3. Have the front passenger seat belt buckle replaced — free of charge.

Affected vehicles (1)

Who to contact

Ford — official Ford 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

Official notice

Component
SEAT BELTS
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition vehicles. The seat belt tension sensor may incorrectly classify a child occupant as an adult.
Safety risk
In the event of a crash, the incorrect classification would enable the passenger air bag to deploy instead of disabling it, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S54.

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