Ford Recall of Over 56,000 Hybrid F-150s Means Safety Fix Coming for Local Drivers

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Seatbelt chime defect prompts recall of over 56,000 Ford F-150 Hybrids; software fix to be installed at no cost.

According to a safety recall notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ford Motor Company is recalling 56,473 model year 2025 F-150 Hybrid pickup trucks due to a software issue that could prevent seatbelt warning chimes from sounding at startup. The defect, present in every vehicle affected, may cause drivers to unknowingly operate the vehicle without fastening their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

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The issue arises when the vehicle’s 12-volt battery has a low charge. Under those conditions, the Audio Head Unit (AHU), which manages audible alerts like the seatbelt chime, can experience a voltage interruption at startup. This results in a reset that delays or suppresses the initial chime. While other alerts activate a few seconds later, the start-of-trip warning may be completely missed. Ford attributes the issue to a software glitch and reports no prior accidents, injuries, or warranty claims linked to the defect.

Ford has assigned recall number 25C31 to the issue, with the corresponding NHTSA recall number being 25V489. The affected vehicles, produced between May 22, 2024, and June 26, 2025, are equipped with the 3.5L Hybrid Electric powertrain. The company has traced the problem to the audio control module software installed in these specific hybrid models. The defective component was supplied by Visteon Corporation, a Tier 1 supplier based in Michigan.

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To resolve the problem, Ford will notify owners by mail starting August 25, 2025. Owners will be instructed to bring their trucks to a Ford or Lincoln dealership, where technicians will update the AHU software at no cost. The new software version ensures that the seatbelt chime functions properly under all battery conditions. As of July 29, 2025, consumers can check their VINs for recall applicability. Ford urges affected owners to complete the update promptly to ensure compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 on occupant crash protection.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Ford Motor Company.

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