Seats Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

The massage seat on the driver and passenger front seats malfunctioned. The drivers seat massage pillows stayed inflated on the seat and backrest. Driving to work this morning the massage pillow on the drivers seat popped. This was a very loud almost gunshot type of sound which caused me to swerve my vehicle and almost create an accident. This is due to the massage seat malfunctioning. Ford motor corp is aware of the issue with the seats and have issued a technical service bulletin but no recall. This is a serious safety issue as this could have caused a major accident while operating the vehicle. Ford motor corp refuses to fix the issue with my vehicle as it is no longer covered by my warranty.

See all problems of the 2019 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The third-row seat headrest in my 2021 Ford Explorer is stuck in the upright position and will not fold down, preventing the seat from fully collapsing. This affects rear visibility and cargo use, which may create a safety concern while driving. The issue appears to be a mechanical failure and has not been resolved despite repeated attempts to adjust it.

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer 🔎.

After multiple attempts to fold the third-row power seat in my 2022 Ford Explorer, the seat mechanism failed completely. The seat will no longer lock securely in either the upright or folded position. The seat frame appears to have failed and the seat constantly springs back and will not stay in place. The seat was being operated normally using the factory power folding function when the failure occurred. There was no unusual load or misuse of the seat prior to the failure. The issue was inspected and diagnosed by a Ford dealership, which confirmed that the third-row seat frame had failed and would require replacement of the seat frame assembly. The dealership quoted approximately $3,622 to repair the issue. Because the seat will not lock securely in the upright or folded position, this may present a safety concern for passengers using the third-row seating area. No warning lights or messages were displayed prior to the failure.

See all problems of the 2022 Ford Explorer 🔎.

On my 2020 Explorer st, the plastic backing on the front seats is popping off and exposing the seats airbags. My dealer said one replacement backing would be $1400 to replace. In a facebook group I am in, multiple people have complained on the 2020 st that theirs has done the same thing.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer 🔎.

My wife found an article about this, so I guess it happens to other people as well. I will leave the link that she sent to me in this report. To put it very simple there seems to be a problem with the seat, memory module in the door of some Ford Explorers. So many times when my wife has had to move my car from the driveway she gets in the car. She pushes the number two button for her seat settings, and she begins to drive the car. While the car is in motion, at any random interval, the seat will reset to my position without any notice. This means the seat begins to move while the car is in motion. In our case, I am about a foot and a half taller than her so when the seat goes back to my position, even though she’s driving, she can no longer reach the brake. Several times while in motion she has had to just hit the power button and shut the car off. This is bad for the car, but it is also best for her safety. I can see this situation causing an accident. It seems Ford knows about it, and they have fixed it in some cars, however until it happens to you I don’t think you’re going to be aware of the problem if you’re moving quickly, it could be a huge problem. I think this is something that Ford needs to address with expediency here is the article where she found a similar experience of another customer online [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2025 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The headrest on the third row is locked in the upright position and won't fold down. I've looked online and it seems to happen in every Ford Explorer in the current generation, 2020+. I see hundreds of complaints online. Across the forums and reddit.

See all problems of the 2024 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The 2nd row seat folding buttons have been malfunctioning for years and folding unexpectedly but Ford would simply say that it was user error causing it to stick. In June of 2025 I received a recall for the issue stating the buttons on the second row may bind or stick. The notice said the parts werent available and that I would be notified again by Ford when the parts came in to schedule a service appointment to complete the repairs free of charge. However, the notice was misleading because when the follow up notice came it stated "following an inspection/replacement, dealers will ensure proper operation of the switch free of charge. " when the dealer came to service the vehicle they inspected the buttons and said that they "looked fine" and offered to dust the buttons off. After they left, the seats continued to sporadically fold until finally one day I went to remove my daughter's car seat to a booster and the seat kept folding as I went back and forth to remove the old seat and install the new one. I was able to record a video of the seat folding repeatedly and reached back out to the dealership. The dealership came out did an inspection and took the parts from the vehicle. They claimed they would resubmit the issue to Ford to approve the parts under the recall and/or the manager was willing to pay out of pocket for them. Jordan Ford insisted removing the parts so that the seats wouldn't unexpectedly fold on my daughter. They didn't know if the issue was mechanical, electrical, or something else. It's now Jan/2026 and they are refusing to take my calls and to give me back my parts or even an estimate if I have to pay out of pocket instead of the wires being exposed without a cover. It's probably not a great idea to drive with the windows down or the sunroof. The condensation from humidity will and/or has gotten into the seats by now. There are other components like the seat warmer and air bag sensor near this. Safety recall notice 25s67 / NHTSA recall 25v393.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the second-row driver's side seat independently shifted backwards. In addition, the contact stated that the contact's five-year-old child was in a car seat attached to the second-row driver's side seat. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v393000 (seats). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer in April 2025. The vehicle was inspected, and the contact was informed that the parts were ordered. The contact made multiple calls to the dealer and inquired about the delivery status of the ordered parts. The contact was informed that the parts had not been delivered and were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that dealers were to perform the recall repair. The contact stated that no additional information was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

Not sure exactly what caused it to fail, but the heated seat when turned on barely gets warm then shuts off with the red lights on button still lit up. I can turn it completely off and back on and seast have immediately get really warm like they are supposed to. But again, only lasts 10mins. Not sure if electrical or not. Just purchased vehicle less than a month ago through dealership. I have read many people have this same problem with the st. Other models do not do this. I will. Contact dealership on Monday 10/20 since I have 4,600 miles on warranty left.

At 45,000 miles the third row driver side headrest broke and the seat will not fold and is a safety hazard for the seat since the head rest does not work as intended. The third row passenger side head rest broke while under bumper to bumper warranty. Given both have broken with minimal use and others having the same exact issue, the part is made inferior and causes a safety issue.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while loading her children into the vehicle, the driver’s, and passenger’s side rear second row seats collapsed and remained locked in the upright position. After a visual inspection, the contact observed that the “easy entry” switch was stuck. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 25v393000 (seats); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 20,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was blank. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 25v159000 (back over prevention) and 25v393000 (seats). The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

1. Passenger rear middle seat folds up randomly and repeatedly when someone is sitting in it. It's triggered by pressing on the middle of the back of the seat. This is not related to the current recall, I've had that recall completed and the buttons passed inspection. Basically the seat is trying to eject the passenger repeatedly. Huge safety issue. Sheehy Ford of ashland has documented this in their report when completing recall. 2. Sunshade has broke and sags down, creating zero visibility in the rear view mirror. Huge safety issue 3. Cupholders are falling through, plastic rivets broke. Cups fall through cupholder.

While sitting in the 3rd row seat, my daughter felt the headrest smack the back of her head. When trying to put it back up, it will no longer stay in place. There are multiple reports of this exact thing happening. This is a known issue with these vehicles. I am now unable to allow anyone to ride in that seat, as the headrest will not stay up.

3rd row seats have a malfunctioning system causing the headrests to not lift back up after seat is down, seat goes down with an automatic button but then headrest on both sides do not lift up as they should. This poses a very serious risk to children in the back seat who are now leaned and pushed forward by this headrest which is folded down over the seat and will not go up. After a lot of research I have seen that this is a very common issue with this year of Explorers.

The following is a letter I sent to Ford. I've yet to hear back from them. This is a picture of what happened in my 2017 Explorer on Thursday, June 5, 2025. As I unlocked and got into my car, I realized the seat was moving forward. I tried to get out of the seat, but it was difficult because the space was closing in. I managed to squeeze out of the space before it totally closed me in and pinned me between the seat and steering wheel. As you can see from the picture, the seat is as close to the steering wheel and console as possible. The steering wheel was 7 inches from the seatback and 7 inches from the seat bottom. The seat was 2 inches from the console. This is extremely dangerous. This is not the first time this has happened. This has occurred at least ten times. Sometimes it is when I get in the vehicle as happened June 5. One time I was pinned between the steering wheel and seat and my legs were jammed into the console. Fortunately, I was able to extricate myself with only a few scrapes and bruises. While it is happening, I try the side buttons that control the seat and other ways to stop it, but nothing I do stops the movement once it begins. The only way to avoid being pinned in is to get out while the seat is moving. Other times it has happened when I am not in the car. I unlock and open the door to get in and the seat has moved itself and is as far up to the steering wheel as physically possible. The first time this happened; I told the service desk at the dealer when I was having work done on the SUV. They checked and said they couldn’t find anything wrong with it. `.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v393000 (seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear passenger’s seat moved forward unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Driver side headrest does not properly lock in place. The headrest moves from the upright position to a forward angle position when jostled. While braking heavily in a car accident, my driver side headrest abruptly moved forward causing the headrest to slam into the back of my head.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while seated in the parked vehicle, the rear passenger’s side head restraint became unhinged. The contact stated that the exterior front driver’s side pin paddle had failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the railings on the rear passenger’s side seats were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,208.

The passenger 3rd row seat if the fold button is hit it can lock and pin a passenger. It wont release itself unless you try and hit the reset holding the 2 buttons simultaneously. Currently for safety reasons I taped that seats button and won't let anyone out in the 3rd row.

Driver seat moves all the way forward on its own and the side view mirror moves out of range. This has happened while in the seat and car running. It happens intermittently. It scares the heck out of you and pushes you all the way into the steering wheel which makes it impossible to steer. You have to be quick in order to stop it and because it startles you when it happens the reaction time is not immediate. Very scary indeed!.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v393000 (seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 mph while depressing the brake pedal and attempting to come to an abrupt complete stop for a red light, the rear driver seat detached and unhinged. The contact sustained an injury to the back of her head from the detached rear driver seat. The contact stated returned to her residence and called her health provider to make an appointment for the next day where she was informed that she sustained a concussion to the back of the head. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

See all problems of the 2015 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Parking lights are illuminated and not head lamps for daytime running lights. Was sold by Ford certified dealership. Also has no interior lighting for security. Bcm replaced, and still has same issue, along with the 3rd row seats not functioning, interior overhead lights not functioning, trailer socket not functioning.

• driver seat not setting its memory for the driver , and will move on its own and go all the way to dash while setting in it or all the way back . Has happened multiple times and also twice while driving. • safety at risk could have made me wreck my vehicle if I hadn’t pulled over and the seat stopped what it was doing front and back. • yes , been checked by dealership (4) times in service department. •yes, every code on the dash has appeared and lasted a total 20 minutes and car went into limp mode. Couldn’t turn car on or off. First happen in Dec 2025. There has been multiple issues with this vehicle since I bought it from the first month.

There are problems with these items which are covered under a Ford recall. My vehicle is at liccardi Ford dealer in watchung NJ and I feel a tremendous resistance from the dealer to repair the recalled ordered repairs.

Driver's side heated seat coil burnt out. Many complaints about this.

See all problems of the 2018 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Various electrical issues gps not working also drivers seat electrical.

Seat warning module failed. When unbuckling seatbelt car does not recognize you unbuckled, therefore the airbag system does not recognize which seats are occupied. This would also cause a safety concern as you do not have to buckle the seatbelt with no warning or alert there is an issue. Car has been at Ford dealer for service for a month with them failing to find any other vehicle that they can replicate the problem. This is one Ford dealer, but it should be something that is investigated as it might be easily overlooked. Car has been in the dealership for the last month with no answers from Ford or resolution to the safety issue, following federal regulations the dealer will not release the car back to us as it has a safety system malfunctioning.

Passenger second row (captain's) seat is loose, shakes (sometimes violently) and rattles loudly when vehicle is moving (and seat is unoccupied).

Multiple warnings lights from advanced drivers assistance 4x4 went accelerate and could not error code u0102 also rattling from right second row seat.

The drivers side outside seat valance broke and needs to be replaced.

There’s no accident . The passenger front recliner is stuck in the reclined position ( laying all the way back ). In the seated position , facing forward , the left side of the seat is stuck . The right side near the passenger door wants to come up, but not the left side. The seat is laying down flat in the reclined position . This is a safety issue .

The left, middle row captain seat chair passenger fails to lock in place. The back part of the chair can be easily folded down or pushed back just by pressing or pulling on it. The back part of the chair won’t stay locked in whatever position is chosen via the adjustment level on the side of the seat. None of my children are allowed to sit in that chair as I fear it could crush them or allow them to slide out of their booster seats in an accident. I have not reported this to our dealership yet, but I do intent to have my vehicle looked at soon.

Drivers side second row captain seat makes ticking noise under the seat. If I put weight on seat it stops. It is intermittent. Im concerned it might be electrical. I have a video but unable to download. I can send if there is an email to send to.

See all problems of the 2023 Ford Explorer 🔎.