It is safest for children to ride in the rear seats of a vehicle. However, if you have kids and drive around with lots of children in the vehicle, you may end up with a kid in the front passenger seat. The 2020 Ford Expedition has had two recalls this year that affect the seat belts and passenger airbag. Having these repairs made, if your Expedition needs them, could save your child.

The second seat belt tension sensor recall on the 2020 Ford Expedition

According to CarComplaints.com, the 2020 Ford Expedition now has a recall due to a problem with its seat belt tension sensors. Child passengers may be incorrectly classified as adults, causing the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash, even though it shouldn’t do that while a child is sitting there. The problem affects about 123 Ford Expeditions from the 2020 model year.

This recall will start on October 12, 2020. Owners will be able to have dealerships replace their seat belt buckles. Owners who have any questions about the recall can call Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Reference recall number 20S54 during the call.

The Ford Expedition’s history of seat belt tension sensor problems

This new recall is the second one for the 2020 Ford Expedition’s seat belt tensions for just this year. Both problems increase the risk of injury to a passenger if the Expedition is in a crash. The first recall in April affected 1,368 Ford Expeditions from model year 2020 that were built in Kentucky between November 27 and December 7, 2019, according to CarComplaints.com.

This recall with the seat belt tension sensors was for a malfunction in the sensors that also could cause them to misidentify children and adults. The sensors are located within the seat belt buckles and help to calculate the size and weight of the passenger in the front seat. Ordinarily, a malfunction should cause the airbag warning lights to turn on, but this isn’t happening. Since the driver doesn’t know there is a problem, he or she wouldn’t be aware that the passenger’s airbag wouldn’t work properly during a traffic accident.

The recall covers 1,355 Expeditions in the United States plus 12 in Canada and one in Mexico. It started on May 11, 2020, with recall number 20S17. Owners should take their 2020 Ford Expedition to a dealership to see if it needs the front passenger seat belt buckle replaced.

The 2020 Ford Expedition

Despite the recalls, the Ford Expedition is a good option for transporting a lot of people and belongings. It’s also able to tow up to 9,300 pounds. The three-row SUV comes in either the standard or the long-wheelbase body length, and the third row is comfortable even for adults. It’s powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

New for 2020, the Expedition comes standard with the Ford Pilot360 suite of driver-assist safety features, which include automatic high-beams, automated emergency braking, cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, as well as blind-spot monitoring.

For tech, the Expedition provides an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It comes standard with a 4G LTE mobile hotspot. Navigation with real-time traffic and weather is optional as is an entertainment system for the rear seats. Higher trims offer more luxury features for the interior, although Car and Driver felt there were too many hard plastics.

Buyers expect safe conditions for their children riding in their vehicles. These two recalls on the 2020 Ford Expedition both replace the passenger seat belt to make sure the tension sensors will not malfunction. It’s important to see if your Expedition is affected to prevent possible airbag problems that could hurt your child.