Front Seat Recliner problems of the 1998 Ford Explorer - part 1

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front driver's seat reclines all the way back until it touches an object behind the seat. She could potentially lose control of the steering wheel or foot pedals due to this issue. His vehicle model year was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03v281000 (seats:front assembly:recliner). The vehicle has not been properly repaired. The failure and current mileages were 100,000.

Driver side seat recliner lever broke off. . Now is safety issue, can't adjust seat back. . Many angry people on the Ford truck "explorerforum. Com" have same problem. . . Should have been a recall. . . Ford sells a redesigned stronger part #xl2z7862649aa. .

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Explorer. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have it repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 03v281000 (seats:front assembly:recliner), although no failures were occurring at the moment. The dealer refused to repair the issue after consulting with the manufacturer because the bolt failed. After being denied of the recall repair, the failures began to occur a week later. The driver's seat would recline backwards on its own. The issue occurred over ten times, but the dealer still refused to repair the vehicle. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was informed that because she did not take the vehicle to the dealer in a timely fashion, the bolt sheared; therefore, they could not assist. The current mileage was approximately 170,000 and failure mileage was 157,565.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Explorer. The driver's side seat does not stay in place. If the contact leaned back too hard, the seat would recline onto the rear seat. When she called the dealer concerning NHTSA recall number 03v281000 (seats:front assembly: recliner) and was informed that they do not honor NHTSA recalls. The current mileage was 117,800 and failure mileage was 117,400.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Explorer. While driving 40 mph, the driver's seat reclined towards the rear seat. The dealer stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign id number 03v281000 (seats:front assembly:recliner). The dealer refuses to make the repair until the contact pays $400 to have another mechanism of the seat recliner repaired. The Ford manufacturer stated that they knew nothing about technical issues and that the dealer would make the final decision. The seat has not been repaired. The vehicle does not have cruise control. The failure mileage was 150,000 and current mileage was 176,000.

I own a 1998 Ford Explorer xl 4 door model with 29744 original miles on it. The vehicle is in excellent condition and has never been involved in any kind of accident. The vehicle has been well maintained and was taken to the dealer for 3 different safety recalls, throttle cable, hood latch and drivers seat in the early part of my ownership. On September 21 2005 while driving the vehicle home from work the drivers seat fell backwards about 4-5 inches making me momentarily lose control of the vehicle and nearly caused and accident. Upon inspection of the seat when I got home it was apparent that the seat frame just in front of the hinge mechanism had broken and bent upward allowing the entire mechanism and the back of the seat to move rearward. The vehicle is now unusable due to this extreme safety defect. On September 22 2005 the vehicle was taken to south bay Ford at 5100 w rosecrans Ave. Hawthorne CA. 90250 and presented to the service adviser aaron estrada and asked if this was a result of the safety recall of the drivers seat. I was informed that this was not part of that recall and that Ford was not responsible for this potentially deadly seat defect and other than selling me a new seat there was nothing they would do. I feel that this is a very dangerous safety defect that Ford should be responsible for repairing. South bay Ford said they wanted a minimum of $87 to even initiate a repair ticket to look at the defective seat. I now own a Ford vehicle that looks to be in perfect condition but is in fact, the vehicle can not be driven or sold. I could never recommend this vehicle to anyone in good conscience knowing it could kill their family!.

Nhtsa recall 03v281000; Ford issued a high back seat recall. This vehicle was not included in the recall, but the seat reclined back, almost touching the second row cushion. Driver had to manually push the seat forward.

Defective bolt that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to driver seat frame kept the seat from reclining. Campaign id number : 03v281000 the consumer received a recall letter which stated that drivers may experience looseness or noise in the seat and in extreme cases it could potentially cause one to lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals resulting in a crash. The dealer indicated that the consumer would have to pay $110. To have a component within the seat repaired so they could easily repair the recalled part. The consumer stated that she should not be made to pay for service that a recall was issued for. .

Today, I was going to adjust my drivers seat and the lever that allows you to adjust the seat snapped off. I didn't use force or anything. Now my seat is unable to be adjusted.

While pulling up the seat lever driver 's seat would not move on its own. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the seat and lever needed to be replaced.

I was involved in an accident while driving a 1998 Ford Explorer. Due to black ice there was a loss of vehicle control. This resulted in a rear end collision with the concrete barrier at the side of the road. The drivers seat back collapsed, and the seat for aft adjusting mechanism failed. The seat back reclining mechanism had been fixed for the recent recall.

While driving 45 mph seat reclined without warning. Dealer stated the reclining bolt cracked. No impact reported.

Consumer stated driver's side seat broke. When consumer received recall notice, he took vehicle to the dealer for repairs, and was told that since bolt did not break the recall did not apply to this vehicle. Consumer indicated that drivers' seat frame cracked, and he took it to the mechanic, and was told that this was a problem for the dealer. Also, consumer insisted that what the recall stated was exactly what happened to his vehicle.

Driver's seat reclining lever broke. Had been bent for sometime. Will cost almost $200 to replace. Told by dealer that several people had been in with the same problem.

The consumer was contacted regarding recall 03281000 related to the seat back frame. The vehicle seat never exhibited any symptoms of the recall prior to the vehicle being taken to the dealer. After the recall was performed the consumer noticed instability in the driver's seat. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer indicated that the repairs they performed did not cause the instability and that it may be the wearing of the truck that caused it. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that it sounded like the recall remedy failed and that they would send a complaint for. The consumer has not received the form. The warranty on the vehicle expired. Dealer stated nothing could be done.

While driving 60 mph on the highway and without warning driver's reclining seat broke in half. Driver was not hurt, but was concerned because the mechanic at the dealer was aware of the problem but would not fix it.

While driving seat reclined without warning.

Vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall# 03v281000 repairs concerning high back seat failure. After the repairs were done, driver's seat back broke and fell all the way back. Dealer was refusing to do anymore repairs to the vehicle.

Consumer received a recall letter concerning front assembly seat recliner from the manufacturer, but dealer indicated they did not have yet recall parts.

While driving 20 mph on a curve the reclining seat back lurched forward. This abrupt forward motion caused the recliner handle to break off.

While driving driver's side seat reclined without warning.

The consumer received recall # 03v281000 concerning the high back seats. The lever to recline the seats broke off before receiving this recall notice. According to the dealer, the lever was not included in the recall repair instructions. .

The bolt of my drivers seat broke on my way form vacation in navada, almost causing an accident. I fell into the back seat trying to maintain my balance I grabbed the arm rest which broke, and the bottom frame broke also. I took my car to southbay Ford in torrance CA. To make the" recall ' repairs but they refused to fix or repair my seat. Stating, the broken seat was not part of the recall. I onformed the service rep. , that the damage was due to the seat dropping backward. I called the number provided on the recall notice and made a complaint but was told the dealership had made a final decision. All I could do was to buy another seat and wait to see if another "recall" comes out and to try to get reinbursted . I had my family in my SUV with me when this bolt broke and we all could have been killed if traffic would have been heavier. Also I use my vehicle daily on my job as a mileage vehicle , having it propped up so I can drive is an hazard in itself. This vehicle is the fourth new Ford product I have purchase, and the only time I have ever had a problem will make this the last one for me.

Driver's seat reclined without warning while driving down the road (heard a snap and then the seat fell back). Talked with the dealership - ended up having to replace the upper recline bracket bolt. The replacement of this bolt was not covered by extended warranty or safety.

I was sitting in my car prior to starting the engine when the seatback suddenly collapsed without warning. The dealer stated they have seen this type of failure before. I am conncerned that my seat could fail again while driving. The part that failed is 1/4 inch bolt that was inside the seat back and not subject to any water or rust damage. I see where a number of complaints have been filed regarding the same area.

When driving on highway I went to adjust the drivers seat recliner. The recliner metal latch broke off and in the process the drivers seat went backwards and almost cause me to get into an accident. I was able to get the seat back into position. I understand that Ford has changed the metal thickness on the recliner metal latch assembly but won't replace it at no charge. Cost can be $50- $70 plus service charge. I consider this a defect and should replace at no charge to me.

The seat lever broke, where do I complain to.

Driver's seat latch broke due to metal fatigue and rust, and passenger's side latch is cracked. Dealer has been notified. Please provide additional information.

Driver's seat back broke while driving 55 mph.

Hit from rear and pushed into car in front of me driver's seatback did not stay upright - it reclined all the way back upon impact.

We were stopped and another car hit us in the rear. Passenger front seat slid forward on impact although prior to being hit it was locked in place. The driver side back seat fell back (lounged back) on impact.

Rear seats, 2 door model does not lock in place. Anyone exiting the vehicle is vurtually ejected out of the car. Entering the car the person could be on the floor if they use the seat for leverage. I notified Ford in the beginning but got no response.

Vehicle struck in rear by another vehicle traveling at low speed. Driver's seat failed, and rear portion of the seat collapsed. The back of the seat landed in rear seat, causing major injury to driver.

Drivers seat bolt broke, causing the seat to recline backwards. This occurred without any warning while vehicle was being driven. Dealership replaced the bolt, but not the seat.

Prior to receiving latch recall, the consumer experienced the defect and was told only the bolt would be replaced, not the latch.