Automotive recalls have been a crucial pillar, primarily aimed at ensuring the well-being of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. The vehicle’s manufacturer usually conducts these recalls to address the potential risks. In recent years, multiple automotive recall cases have appeared to fix the issues before they turn deadly, leading to severe injuries or fatalities.
Following this trend is the Ford safety recall seat belt problems that have affected over 240,000 vehicle units. Since these recalls are important, and if left untreated, they can pose severe dangers to life. Thus, this article will shed light on the Ford recalls 240150 vehicles due to potential seat belt issues, especially the importance of abiding by the preventive strategies.
What is the Ford F-150 Seat Belt Issue Recall?
According to the sources, this Ford recall impacted the F-150 hybrid pickups, showing an issue with the seat belt warning chime. Importantly, vehicles equipped with the 3.5L EcoBoost PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 are a part of this recall and can lead to massive dangers if not treated in time. The warning chime was intended to notify passengers and drivers to buckle up, but it failed to sound at the startup if the vehicle’s 12-volt battery has a low charge.
| Recall Date | July 18, 2025 (Approval); August 25, 2025 onwards (Notification Letter) |
| Affected Vehicle Production Date | May 22, 2024, and June 26, 2025 |
| Components Involved | Audio Control Module (affecting seat belt reminder chime system) |
| Affected Units | 240,150 units; 2025 F-150 Hybrid (3.5L PowerBoost) |
| Trims Affected | SuperCrew 4×4 models, particularly, XLT, King Ranch, and Lariat Platinum trims |
| VIN Range | Not available |
| Hazards Associated | Prevents occupants from using seat belts, raising the risks of severe damage during the crash. |
The Ford defective seat belt recall was declared after an employee noted that the chime failed to activate in their F-150 units. The problem was then reported to Ford’s review group on May 29, 2025, followed by the voluntary recall on July 18, 2025, by Ford’s Field Review Committee. It is discovered that the recall notification letters are expected to be mailed to the affected vehicle owners by August 25, 2025.
More specifically, the damage stems from the audio control module, which controls the seat belt remainder mechanism. During the vehicle startup, the high-voltage interrupt causes a system reset, inhibiting the seat-belt warnings.
To this seat-belt recall, Ford quoted, “The start-of-trip seat belt chime may not play from the Audio Head Unit (AHU) at vehicle startup if the 12-volt battery is at a low state of charge.” However, NHTSA hasn’t issued any official statement on the Ford safety recall seat belt matter.
Why is Ford’s Seat Belt Recall Serious?
Whether it’s a traditional or modern vehicle, seat belts remain an essential safety feature that reduces the risks of severe injuries during a collision. In this Ford Explorer seat belt recall case, the audio control module defect can prevent the seat belt warning chime from notifying occupants when the 12V battery is low.
Without the audio warning, passengers and drivers will avoid buckling their seat belts while driving. Even in cases of moderate collisions, if the occupants remain unbelted, they are more likely to get head or fatal injuries.
To date, Ford hasn’t reported any fatalities or crashes linked to the fault. However, the NHTSA Ford recall remains extremely significant as safety experts warn that these defects can be dangerous if not addressed promptly. If owners still ignore the call, it is clear that they aren’t serious about safety measures, leaving themselves at high risk while driving.
A Guide to Check Whether Your Ford Vehicle is at Risk
Ford F-150 Hybrid or any recent model owners should be alert and confirm whether their vehicle is affected by the seat belt issue recall. Importantly, every car has its own VIN code, which is mentioned on the driver’s side door frame sticker and the side dashboard. Additionally, owners can fetch the special code from their vehicle’s registration or insurance papers.
Once you have it, visit the NHTSA’s or Ford’s Recall Lookup Tool to proceed with the Ford recall VIN check. As soon as you enter the code into the system, it will automatically mention whether your vehicle is affected.
Sometimes the defect may not be noticeable, but the vehicle might show early signs that it possesses recall issues. If the seat belt chime doesn’t sound properly upon vehicle starting, it could be a sign that your Ford vehicle needs help. Additionally, if the chime works sometimes and behaves unexpectedly, your vehicle might be affected.
If your truck has been parked for a long time, the issue is more likely to appear when the battery voltage is low.
Suggestion: E-Transit Ford Recall Explained: Battery Fault, Fire Risk, Repair.
What Ford Owners Should Do Next?
Acting quickly is the only way to keep your vehicle and passengers safe. You can schedule your recall service appointment by contacting your local Ford dealership directly. When booking, you should keep the VIN code handy, allowing the executives to confirm your vehicle’s recall status. Importantly, the repairs are free of cost under the federal law, causing the company to incur repair fees. If accessories and additional work are required, Ford will cover the expenses at no cost.
The Ford safety recall seat belt involves an audio control module software update, which will generally take less than an hour. While most customers wait till the repair is done, if the dealer’s workload is too much, it can take more time than expected, sometimes causing you to leave the vehicle for a day.
When visiting the dealership, the technician will check whether your Ford vehicle has seat belt warning chime issues using the diagnostic and programming tools. Interestingly, you may also receive a multi-point inspection for free as part of the Ford defective seat belt recall visit; however, it depends mainly on the dealership’s terms.
How did Ford respond to this Seat Belt Recall?
The company acted swiftly for the Ford Explorer seat belt recall, causing the review group to conduct data analysis from June to July 2025. Additionally, Ford acknowledged the flaw and is set to release the owner notification for their safety.
Above all, Ford chose transparent communication, unreported incidents, and a free and convenient remedy for all the affected vehicles. Indeed, the recall doesn’t affect other Ford vehicle lines. A similar Ford recall incident has appeared and impacted over 240,000 2020-2021 Ford Explorers and Lincoln Aviators units. However, the impact is irrelevant to the chime problems; it shows Ford’s broader concern for seat belt safety.
Related: Ford Recalls F-150 Lightning Over Faulty High-Voltage Batteries.
FAQ’s
How do I Know if My Ford Has Recalls?
Checking whether your Ford vehicle has any active recalls is a free and straightforward process. The only thing you require is the special VIN code that you can locate near the driver’s side dashboard or side door frame sticker. Alternatively, the special VIN code can be found on the vehicle’s registration or insurance papers. Finally, you can visit the Ford or NHTSA official recall lookup tools website and enter your VIN to check if your Ford is a part of the recall.
Are all Ford Recalls Free?
According to the sources, all recalls, including the Ford F-150 seat belt issue recall, are officially free. The US federal law instructs automotive companies, like Ford, to provide safety-related repair services without any additional cost to the owner. The protocol remains unaffected whether your vehicle is under warranty, and will include labor charges and software charges.
Do Recalls Expire?
It is noted that the safety recalls, like the Ford safety recall seat belt, don’t expire traditionally. In the US, federal law requires the company to provide free recall repairs for the life of the vehicle. Importantly, this seat belt recall remains free forever, instructing the vehicle owners to check whether they are affected through the special VIN code.
What are the Symptoms of a Defective Ford Seat Belt?
While other recall symptoms are visible, this seat belt malfunction is challenging to spot as they involves electronic alerts. However, you can look whether the seat belt chimes aren’t notifying as earlier or it is malfunctioning. The issue can cause the vehicle occupants to skip buckling them up with the belt, increasing risks.
Summing-Up
Ford has treated the Ford Explorer seat belt recall as an authentic safety concern for the 2025 F-150 Hybrid owners. Moreover, the automotive tycoon ensured that the owners received top-notch service after they confirmed that the vehicle was affected.
Throughout the recall, Ford has taken transparent and convenient ways to fix the issue while notifying the owners promptly. If you know someone with the 2025 F-150 Hybrid vehicle, you should share this article to inform them about the potential hazards.
