Ford Transit vehicles recalled for defective seat belt locking system
Ford is recalling 2021-2022 Transit and 2021 Transit Connect vehicles because the front passenger seat belt locking retractor may deactivate, preventing child restraint securement. Unsecured child restraints increase crash injury risk.
What this means for you
Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: This scoring applies the rubric's 'structural vehicle defect' criterion for Severe severity. The seat belt automatic locking retractor malfunction is a critical structural defect in a child safety system that prevents child restraints from functioning properly.
Plain-English summary
Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ford Transit vehicles and 2021 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. The front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, preventing the child restraint system from securing properly. These vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, which requires proper occupant crash protection.
The recall affects an estimated 42,493 vehicles. Dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt assembly and replace it as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified with interim notification letters sent on September 14, 2021, and final notification letters sent on December 30, 2021.
Owners can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 (Ford recall number 21C18) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or visit www.nhtsa.gov for additional information.
The recalled product
- Product
- FORD TRANSIT CONNECT, TRANSIT
- Brand
- FORD
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Affected units
- 42,493
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (2)
- TRANSIT CONNECT
- TRANSIT
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same brand · FORD
- HighFord Recalls 2026 Bronco Vehicles Due to Air Bag Mounting Defect
NHTSA · 2026-09-09
- SevereFord Recalls 2023-2025 Mustang Mach E for Battery Software Defect
NHTSA · 2026-09-09
- SevereFord Recalls 2023-2027 F-150 Trucks for Fuel Tank Securing Defect
NHTSA · 2026-09-09
- High
- SevereFord Recalls 2026 F-150s Due to Rear Axle Bearing Defect
NHTSA · 2026-09-09
Same manufacturer · Ford Motor Company
See all →- SevereFord Recalls Battery Energy Control Modules for Software Defect
NHTSA · 2026-09-09
- High
Same hazard · seat belt failure
See all →- Severe
- High
- Severe
- High2026 Hyundai Kona rear center seat belt buckle failure risk
NHTSA · 2026-07-14
- HighNissan Recalls 2026 Leaf Vehicles Due to Rear Seat Belt Retractions
NHTSA · 2026-07-01