2021-2023 Ford Expedition Owner's Manual Recall (23V420)
Ford Motor Company · 691,133 vehicles · Reported June 9, 2023
Ford Motor Company is recalling 691,133 2021-2023 Ford Expedition; 2021-2023 Ford F-250 SD; 2021-2023 Ford F-350 SD; 2021-2023 Ford F-450 SD; 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints." Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 23V420 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V420000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 23C20 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | June 9, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2021-2023 Ford Expedition; 2021-2023 Ford F-250 SD; 2021-2023 Ford F-350 SD; 2021-2023 Ford F-450 SD; 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator |
| Units affected | 691,133 |
| Component | Equipment > Other > Owners / Service / Other Manual |
| Safety risk | Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2023 Ford Expedition in recall 23V420?
The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2023 Expedition with recall 23V420?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the owners and service and other manual.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V420?
Recall 23V420 covers 691,133 vehicles: 2021-2023 Ford Expedition; 2021-2023 Ford F-250 SD; 2021-2023 Ford F-350 SD; 2021-2023 Ford F-450 SD; 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator.
NHTSA lists 691,133 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | Ford | Expedition |
| 2021-2023 | Ford | F-250 SD |
| 2021-2023 | Ford | F-350 SD |
| 2021-2023 | Ford | F-450 SD |
| 2021-2023 | Lincoln | Navigator |
What is the fix for the Expedition owner's manual recall?
Yes. Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge.
Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C20.
When was recall 23V420 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 23V420 to NHTSA on June 9, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as July 21, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| June 9, 2023 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V420000. |
| July 21, 2023 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 40 months ago. If your Expedition was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Expedition is part of recall 23V420?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V420 is open on your Expedition, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 23V420000 is open on your Expedition, it will be listed there, along with Ford recall number 23C20. You can also ask any Ford dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Expedition owners do about recall 23V420?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V420000 applies to your Expedition.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ford dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any owners and service and other manual symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Expedition owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 1,099 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 136 of them about the other equipment.
Since recall 23V420 was reported on June 9, 2023, owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about the other equipment on these vehicles. 6 of them (6%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the other equipment and were received on or after June 9, 2023, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related other equipment issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 1,099 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 136 of them involve the other equipment. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Ford Expedition: 235 complaints in total, 29 about the other equipment
- 2021 Ford F-250 SD: 165 complaints in total, 14 about the other equipment
- 2022 Ford F-250 SD: 123 complaints in total, 16 about the other equipment
- 2022 Ford Expedition: 113 complaints in total, 19 about the other equipment
- 2022 Ford F-350 SD: 111 complaints in total, 13 about the other equipment
- 2021 Ford F-350 SD: 96 complaints in total, 11 about the other equipment
- 2023 Ford Expedition: 64 complaints in total, 12 about the other equipment
- 2023 Ford F-250 SD: 43 complaints in total, 5 about the other equipment
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
My setup: truck is level, trailer is 3/8" drop in front, and hitch ball up leaving one hole open from top.
2021 Ford F-350 SD owner, NC, NHTSA complaint 11422634, filed June 28, 2021
My Ford F350 is experiencing the recall deficiency issued by Ford in January 2025 after repeated calls Ford still is unable or unwilling to fix my vehicle. Ford motor company, and the local dealership have told me workarounds could be performed, but they would be done at my expense.
2021 Ford F-350 SD owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11683825, filed August 29, 2025
Back up camera screen goes blue when put in reverse. Then after 20 seconds says camera unavailable see dealer. I had dealer repair with a software reset. Worked for about 2 weeks then same symptoms.
2021 Ford F-350 SD owner, UT, NHTSA complaint 11689583, filed September 24, 2025
Can recall 23V420 make my Expedition a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 23V420000 does not automatically make your Expedition a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
What matters for a lemon law claim is not the recall label but whether the defect substantially impairs the 2021-2023 Ford Expedition and whether the dealer can fix it in a reasonable number of tries.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Expedition went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Expedition been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford Expedition recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V420
Did the recall 23V420 fix work?
Since recall 23V420 was reported on June 9, 2023, owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about the other equipment on these vehicles. 6 of them (6%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed July 21, 2023.
Is the 23V420000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Expedition is part of recall 23V420000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 23V420000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford, Lincoln. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.