Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published October 9, 2020
Ford 2020 Explorer Seat Belts May Not Secure Properly in Crashes
Ford is recalling 2020 Explorer vehicles with second row seat belt buckles that may not secure properly during crashes, increasing injury risk. Owners can get free replacement seat assemblies.
Ford is recalling 2020 Explorer vehicles with second row seat belt buckles that may not stay securely attached during crashes. This could increase injury risk if a crash occurs. Affected owners should contact Ford for a free replacement seat assembly. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/79440-ford-2020-explorer-seat-belts-may-not-secure-properly-in.
“Ford 2020 Explorer Seat Belts May Not Secure Properly in Crashes.” GovInfoNow, updated August 18, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/79440-ford-2020-explorer-seat-belts-may-not-secure-properly-in. Based on NHTSA recall #20V549000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V549000).
Ford Motor Company recalled 2020 Ford Explorer vehicles due to improperly secured second-row center seat belt buckles, which may fail to restrain occupants during a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the recall on October 9, 2020. Dealers will replace the seat assembly free of charge.
How to tell if you have it
Ford Explorer, 2020
What to do
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the second row center seat assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
The hazard
Vehicles with seat belt buckles that are not properly secured may fail to restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Ford Motor Company has 643 other recalls on record since January 29, 2010. Other recent recalls include the Ford 2021 Bronco Hard Top Recall (October 23, 2026), the Ford F-450 SD Recall (October 6, 2026), and the Ford F-150 Recall (October 6, 2026). NHTSA has 1,240 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Ford Explorer as of October 19, 2026.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your 2020 Ford Explorer has second row seat belt buckles that may not be properly secured. The recall started November 6, 2020, and applies to specific models.
Brand
Ford
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Contact Ford
Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 to schedule a free replacement seat assembly.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the second row center seat assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S50.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
2 dated steps over 28 days.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Recall began
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Take action
Contact Ford
We’ve drafted a message you can send Ford to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 20V549000 — Ford 2020 Explorer Seat Belts May Not Secure Properly in Crashes
Hello,
I own a Ford 2020 Explorer Seat Belts May Not Secure Properly in Crashes that is covered by recall 20V549000 from Ford.
The official recall notice states: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the second row center seat assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S50.
I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this?
Thank you.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 18, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.