Front Seat Recliner Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

2002 Ford Explorer. Consumer writes in regards to a bolt under the front seat that can break causing the seat to move back and forth the consumer would like his vehicle repaired at no charge, even though it is 2002, and not included in recall# 03v281000, which he did reference.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Noticed that the recliner handle was bent on the drivers side. The next time I went to recline the seat the handle broke off at the rivet point. Common problem according to the dealer. The part can only be bought from Ford and the cost is $100. There was a service bulletin for this problem for a later year Explorer. Dealer said the new part is more heavy duty and made to replace the stock version that was light duty. No recall was issued and they have stopped making the part.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was little support for the driver side seat back and while driving 35 mph, the seat fractured. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 03v281000 (seats:front assembly:recline) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs however, the contacts vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was contacted who confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall and offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 30,000.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was parked when the contact observed the recliner bolt which secured the driver seat back was broken causing the seat to collapse in a backward position. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 03v281000 (component: seats: front assembly: recliner). The authorized dealer was notified and stated there was a prior recall remedy repair performed on the vehicle. The recall service repair failed to correct the safety defect. The vehicle had not been repaired for the malfunction. The failure and current mileages were 89,000.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 35 mph, the driver's side high back seat collapsed backwards. The seat recliner mechanism was the cause of the failure. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and was able to resume driving in an upright position. The failure occurred without warning. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 03v281000 (seats:front assembly:recliner), although the failures were identical. The vehicle has not been repaired and is currently not being driven. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 128,000.

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.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Explorer 🔎.

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.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the driver side seat would move back and forth and failed to lock in place. The dealer stated that the recliner bolt failed. The contact received NHTSA campaign id notice number 03v281000 (seats:front assembly:recliner) in 2004. The manufacturer refused to perform the recall repair because of the time frame. The failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 94,848. Updated 10/03/07.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 1996 Ford Explorer. While sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle, the seat spontaneously collapsed backwards. The contact called a dealer and a technician stated that he would have to replace either the recliner bolts or the seat assembly at his expense. The manufacturer stated that there was a recall for the recliner bolts, but his vehicle was not included because it was manufactured at a different plant. The vehicle has not been repaired because it was a recall for the same model. The recall number was unknown. The failure mileage was 130,000.

We took our 2000 Ford Explorer into santa margarita Ford for maintenance. We were told that the vehicle was subject to recall 03s04, replacement of a seat bolt. The dealer requested authorization from Ford to do the repairs. Ford said that they would not pay for repairs. The dealer said that there was apparently somee damage to the driver's seat. I contacted Ford customer service and all they offered was to pay $100. I was unable to speak with any individual who made the decision to not completely pay for the needed repairs. $100 is unacceptable; I expect Ford to pay for any and all repairs.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. While driving the vehicle, the driver's front seat was rocking and vibrating due to the seat failure, the contact was occasionally unable to reach the pedals. The contact stated that this failure was an accident waiting to happen. The consumer states he wants to be reimbursed for repairs. Update 05/10/tr.

(1) backing up. We accidentally hit a pole in a parking lot. (2) drivers seat back slipped backwards and will not stay in position now. . . Keeps slipping backwards with minimal pressure on it. . . Cannot lean on it fully (3)will have to be disassembled and repaired. . Not sure what yet.

Every since I had my 1999 Ford Explorer worked on for the seat recliner recall I have had problems with my driver's seat moving like it was not properly secured. I finally was able to determine that the pin holding my drivers side seat to the rail that the side slides on, front to rear, had pulled out of the hole. This means that my seat was not secured to the vehicle. I have attempted to put the pin back into the seat rail but it will not stay in. The result is that the seat remains unsecured to the floor and will fall back if I lean back in it!.

(1) driver's seat back latch broken (2) could not enter, or exit from, back seat on driver's side (3) not repaired as yet.

See all problems of the 2006 Ford Explorer 🔎.

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!.

Consumer received recall 03v281000 concerning high back seat. No parts were available.

On 11/19/04 I almost was involved on an accident due to the failure of the driver back seat of my Ford Explorer 2000, 65,000 miles VIN #1fmzu72x2yua63728. I took it to my local Ford dealer for repair on 11/22/04, and I was notified that it was caused by a broken bolt and there was a recall on it and they did the repair free of cost. When I seated on the repaired seat I noticed that the back seat is no longer parallel to the steering wheel; it is approximately 2" twisted to the left. In addition, when I hold the top of the back seat I can tilt it forward and backward and it has about 6" of play. I brought the problem to the attention of Ford motor CO. And they say that the problem is not part of the recall and they will not repair it unless I pay for it. The Ford CO. Says that the problem is caused by a broken track at the bottom of the seat. I believe there is a flaw in the mechanism since a driver seat should last more than 4 years or 65,000 miles. The seat is unsafe and actions to correct the problem must be taken before someone dies. I hope someone can help me with the solution of the problem and can save someone else's life. I am fortunate to be alive. Sincerely, oswaldo demoura.

See all problems of the 2004 Ford Explorer 🔎.

1) inadequate driver's seat latch - driver cannot position seat back properly; 2) running boards rusting without cause; 3) roof rack peeling without cause, and nothing has been done to correct these problems; Ford dealerships cannot explain why the running board is rusting or the reason for the roof rack peeling.

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.

Driver's seat was reclining backward while driving and was shifting towards the driver's door. The dealer was not notified at this time.

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.

Passenger side seat recently flung forward as a result of a broken bolt. The dealer refused to replace bolt/latch indicating it is not covered under the recall. The dealer replaced the driver's side bolt under recall 03v281000 but not the passenger side bolt.

While driving in reverse and applying the brakes to stop vehicle suddenly driver's seat back recliner broke. As result, the consumer lost control.

The consumer received a recall on the bolt under the driver's seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the problem was repaired. Three months later the popping noise started again. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who indicated that the bolt was fine but that the lever failed. The manufacturer was notified but the refused any assistance because the lever was not part of the recall.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Explorer 🔎.

While driving the consumer swerved onto the shoulder and hit a guardrail while attempting to avoid hitting a vehicle which had pulled out in front of her. The driver's seat collapsed during the collision which resulted in loss of control. As a result the vehicle flipped over three times. The driver sustained injuries to her neck, head and hip. The vehicle recliner bolt was recall and replaced prior to the accident (recall # 03s04).

The front driver's side seat failed to stay in the upright position. Seven months earlier, dealership performed high back seat recall 03v281000 repairs. Dealership inspected the seat, and indicated that this failure was related to the recall bolt that was replaced. It may be the racket assembly or one of the seat frames.

The reclining bolt for the driver side seat has broke. The dealer has replaced the part, however the problem still exist. Please provide additional information.

On my 1999 Ford Explorer, the drivers seat frame broke. Sometime prior to the 2003 recall for the bolt failure of the seat recliner assembly, the frame also failed causing the seat to recline partially even thou the setting is in the top position. The seat also moves back and forth when holding the back rest, and pushing on it. The recliner release is bent, and the plastic cover on the bottom of the seat is now broken also because the seat is so bad out of position. But the recall bolt was replaced at the dealer, however they would not repair the broken seat frame.

The passenger side seat recliner mechanism broke. There was a recall for something similar to this a year ago concerning the high back driver seat.

Vehicle was rear-ended while stopped at a traffic light. Driver and front passenger seats broke sending front seat passengers back. Rear seat passenger was hit by front seat passenger seat and broke her jaw in 3 places. Front seat passengers suffered splits in their heads, driver had a fractured back, and passenger suffered dizziness and neck injuries.