Air bags: critical fasteners; seats; air bags: side/window (Lincoln and Ford)
Vehicle recall 20V-497. NHTSA received Ford Motor Company’s report on Aug 21, 2020.
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The short answer
NHTSA received Ford Motor Company’s report on Aug 21, 2020. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 28, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
If the side air bag or seat back fasteners were not properly tightened, the side air bag deployment could be affected, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles.
The side air bag and/or seat back module attachments may not have been properly tightened in the front seat backs.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Air bags: critical fasteners.
- NHTSA’s part: Seats.
- NHTSA’s part: Air bags: side/window.
What should you do?
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove front seat back panels from one or both front seats (VIN-specific) and verify that the fasteners have been properly tightened, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S48.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 488 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
Each model year opens its own page: every recall naming it, its owner complaints and its crash ratings.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
Who is recalling it?
- Made by Ford Motor Company.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt. Owners’ complaints are counted on each vehicle’s page.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 28, 2026.