Ford Motor Company announced a recall of nearly 420,000 vehicles due to defective seat belts that may fail to function properly during use.

The recall affects certain Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models, according to safety regulators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identified the issue as seat belts that may inadvertently lock, preventing them from operating as designed during normal use.

When seat belts lock unexpectedly, they cannot provide adequate protection to vehicle occupants in the event of a crash or sudden stop. The malfunction also prevents passengers from properly adjusting or releasing the restraint system.

Ford has not yet announced the specific model years affected by the recall or provided details about when vehicle owners will be notified. The company is expected to provide repair instructions to dealerships and offer free fixes to affected customers.

Vehicle recalls for seat belt defects are considered high-priority safety issues since these systems serve as the primary protection mechanism for occupants during collisions. The NHTSA requires automakers to address such defects promptly to prevent potential injuries or fatalities.