Ford and Lincoln Recall Over 387,000 SUVs Over Second-Row Seat Defect

Ford Motor Company has issued a recall affecting more than 387,000 of its popular Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs, citing a potential problem with the second-row seats. The issue involves a missing structural component that could cause the seat to fail to latch properly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

The recall covers certain models from the 2020 through 2024 model years.

According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the defect stems from a missing cross-brace in the seat frame. Without this brace, the seat may not lock into position, allowing it to move unexpectedly during a collision. Ford says it has received 94 warranty reports and two field reports related to the problem, but no injuries or accidents have been confirmed as a result.

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified starting March 2, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the second-row seat assembly at no cost. Ford estimates that about 1 percent of the recalled vehicles actually have the defect. For those with the issue, dealers will install the missing cross-brace.

The automaker is also offering reimbursement to owners who paid for repairs related to the problem before the recall was announced.

The recall includes 2020-2024 Ford Explorers built at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant and 2021-2024 Lincoln Aviators produced at the same facility. Owners can check if their vehicle is affected by visiting the NHTSA website or calling Ford’s customer service line. As with all safety recalls, the fix is mandatory and free of charge.