US opens probe into over 110,000 Ford SUVs on seat belt concern

(Reuters) – The U.S. auto safety regulator said on Monday it had initiated a recall query into about 112,567 Ford (NYSE:) SUVs over an issue with seat belt retractors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it had received three complaints, alleging an inadvertent deployment of the seat belt retractor pretensioner.

The complaints referred to a loud sound, which was immediately followed by the seat belt rapidly tightening and remaining in the locked position, the auto safety regulator added.

The probe covers Ford Expedition and its luxury counterpart, the Lincoln Navigator, from model years 2019-2020.

Ford did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for a comment on the matter.