Eight problems related to seat broken have been reported for the 1999 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Seat broke on impact.
Here is the complaint(s) sent to Ford motor CO about my 1999 Explorer: I have had repeated problems with the driver seat breaking. It yields an unsafe condition and should be recalled. I am very dissatisfied with this repeated problem. I have lost the use of my car and money on several occasions. It is currently in for the same repair again. I have brought this to your attention in the past and have not received any help. Please respond to this in writing and let me know my options. Thanks for your attention to this matter. I then called then and then emailed them this follow up:I called the number you requested and spoke with jason and am dissatisfied with answer he gave me. He did say he would report my case to the engineering department. I would encourage you to do that as I believe the structure of your driver's seats are not properly designed and are unsafe. My experience with them is that the adjustment mechanism bends and then the frame fractures and then the seat can possible snap off. Obviously this is a serious problem if this occurs while driving. I am a registered structural engineer by profession so I understand the basic principles of this issue. Your engineers should check their calculations and/or check the metallurgy of the seat components. There is no reason for a properly designed seat to break like mine has. Probably never buy another Ford, primarily because of this and the lack of standing behind your product.
: the contact stated a popping noise was heard then the bottom of the driver's seat had broken. When the contact sits in the seat, the seat leans to the right side. The dealership has not been notified.
While consumer was driving the frame at the base of the seat broke in two. The metal bracket connected to the side of the side adjustment broke and caused the seat to fall back.
While driving at speed limit of 45 mph bottom bolt that holds drivers seat broke, causing the seat to fold back. Consumer had barely survived this incident.
While driving driver's seat fell back. Dealer determined it broke at seat bottom.
While driving the mechanism that holds the driver's seat back broke. Took to the dealer and the seat was fixed. After a few days later it broke again, this time not only the mechanism, but the plastic side cover and the seat cover were damaged. Consumer stated there may be a design deficiency of the mechanism or a manufacturer deficiency of the entire seat.
When lifting the latch on the seat, the latch spring flipped off, and the passenger's side seat broke. Seat rocks forward and backward on the rails, and the back of the seat goes up and down.