Ford Explorer owners have reported 246 problems related to seats (under the seats category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the Explorer.
The heat in my 2013 Ford Explorer won't work. The rad fan isn't working so any antifreeze I put in is gone after 1 trip to the store. It's burning it. The sunroof has never opened fully, it wobbles. The electrical is shot on it. There are so many safety issues with this vehicle and I see I'm not the only one but yet I search my VIN and there are no recalls that's not right.
 
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all problems of the 2013 Ford Explorer
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The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the second-row seat wiring harness plugs were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.
 
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all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer
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I’m having to replace the driver’s seat mounting/frame (underneath the seat) for a second time since I’ve had this vehicle. It happened last year as well.
 
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all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer
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The airbag fault light on the dash of my 2016 Ford Explorer recently illuminated. I took it to christian brothers automotive, who did a complete diagnostics check. They determined that the inflatable seat belt should read 2. 2 ohms but it reading at 5. 5 ohms, which is causing the light to illuminate. They stated that the inflatable seat belt needs to be replaced. This appears to be the same issue with a Ford recall notice issued on January 21, 2022 under customer satisfaction program 21b11 related to 2014, 2015, and 2016 Ford Explorers. However, my VIN does not appear on the list of effected vehicles and Ford is refusing to repair it under the recall until it is added to the list.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after noticing that the seat heaters were inoperable, he saw that the heated seat module connector had melted. The contact also stated that the front passenger seat controls were inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised to file a complaint with NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Front passenger seat overheated and caused 2nd degree burns.
 
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all problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer
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Front seat will not stay up. They recline out of nowhere. I believe it's just old wore out parts.
 
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all problems of the 2000 Ford Explorer
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Both front seats have brackets that have broken and come apart. Service says this is seen all the time. Pants and skirts get caught in it all the time.
The driver side heated seat does not work at all the passenger side heated seat works just the driver side does not work.
 
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all problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer
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Memory seat module issue. After parking vehicle and turning off ignition, the driver's seat will automatically move all the way forward and wedge the driver against the steering wheel.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the third-row seats were inoperable. The contact stated that the passenger’s and driver’s side seats were frozen in a semi-folded down position and was not responding to the electronic control switch. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the seat control unit needed to be replaced. The contact was advised by the dealer that the seat failure was a known failure; however, the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,438.
Several years ago I reported to elk grove fird that the middle right car seat would release and move forward when a personas seated in the chair. It wouldn’t happen otherwise and we seldom have a 3rd person in our car. They couldn’t duplicate the issue and did nothing. In may 2024, it took it in again. They replaced a seat release button and something else. In August, the unexpected seat release occur again. Another repair was done. The same problem happened again when I had my [xxx] granddaughter with me. On a 5 mile drive to costco, it suddenly released about 10 times; each time propelling the seat forward and causing the seal belt around her neck. I stopped, placed my iphone to catch what was occurring, as no body believed me. Within 5 minutes, as we returned home, I captured about 5 more releases. After one month of discussion with Ford, they said they would replace the entire seat and pay about $1,400 and I would pay $1,150. This is a safety issue that could cause serious injury or death to my grandchildren. I believe Ford doesn’t want to make safe a high-end car they know has a serious problem. I have video evidence of this defect. What can the ntsb do to help me? [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
I have several issues that I have had with the Ford explore. This is my second Ford explore. The passenger air was not assemble correctly and now is coming apart. The seat belt on the driver sit gets stuck. The car door panels have come undone which is not typical with any other vehicle expect explore. The brakes on the car are difficult to use to the suspension issue. When I have taken my car to the dealer they have not been helpful. They won’t provide a temporary vehicle while my car is getting fix and that not acceptable. I need someone to help me with these issues at no cost. This is my second explore and I love my car but I hate that it has issues that were not fix from the moment the car was sold.
 
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all problems of the 2014 Ford Explorer
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Vehicle right passenger area receives no heat, either from front heat vent nor does the seat heater function. Dealer replaced seat heat mechanism(s) that required software update. Update failed to resolve the problem. Outside temp is now -13°f. Dealer states they are awaiting dealer engineers to determine how to repair the problem.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's and passenger's side rear seats inadvertently moved forward while his children were sitting in the seats. The contact was concerned about the safety of his children while riding in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 14,700.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle, she observed the front driver's side seat control housing separating, hindering the use of the seat controls. The failure was later observed in the front passenger’s side seat. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side front seat inadvertently moved back and forth. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
There is a recall and no remedy has been done. Still waiting on a call or email.
 
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all problems of the 2019 Ford Explorer
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The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the front passenger’s seat became detached. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been diagnosed by the dealer and determined that the failure was due to a design flaw which cause the plastic clips used to hold the seat together had fractured. The vehicle was repaired several times, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to contact the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Hello I went to the dealership many times. Every time I go for the recalls. They saying that the parts not available. I’m not sure what’s going on. They keep telling me try with us in a month. This is unprofessional and unacceptable. The recall for the suspension and the passenger door panel. By the way I tried 2 different dealership. On in eat rutherford. Nj. And on I. Hackensack,NJ. Please advice.
 
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all problems of the 2015 Ford Explorer
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I am having major issues with the 3rd row seating on my Ford Explorer getting stuck and not able to be moved. This is happening causing children to not have places to sit and seatbelts to secure themselves in for a safe commute. Each time the seats are stuck, they are not even able to be moved manually. The entire seat including the head rest becomes immobile and leaves the seat in either a half open/closed position or an open position with no headrest capability. While traveling out of town on January 23 with 6 people in my vehicle my 3rd row seats became stuck in positions where I was unable to safely transport 2 of the occupants of the car. I also had to travel home in an extremely unsafe situation where luggage had to remain in laps for a 4 hour car ride and could have been catastrophic had there been an accident. I reached out to the service department of palmetto Ford on January 24th about this issue and they told me it would be 3 to 4 weeks until they could get my vehicle in to “look at it. ” I reached out to my sales person who was able to coordinate with the service manager to get my vehicle looked at the next day. They did not have a loner for me to drive so they rented one from enterprise and had me come back the next day to pick it up and began to repair my car. It took them about 2 days and they said they had to completely replace the computer brain of the 3rd row seating. When I left it was in working order. Two months later while once again out of town with 4 other people’s children to care for my 3rd row seating gets stuck again in an unusable position. This time I had no other alternative but to put these kids in seats together seatbelted in and pray that I did not get hit. When I got home on March 29th I called palmetto Ford sales to let them know that my seats are once again broken and spoke to the sales manager jake. I told him that I felt unsafe in the vehicle now and that I would like them to take it back. I told him I had more travel.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while it was raining, water was leaking into the vehicle through the front windshield. While making a turn water entered the vehicle, and the front seat passenger became wet. The seat was damaged by the water. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact ordered a power window switch online. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v031000 (structure); 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 had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The vehicle was involved in a rear-end collision. When the collision occurred, both front seats dropped into a fully reclined position and locked fully reclined.
I was stopped on the highway behind two other cars that were also stopped at a lane merger. A car hit my vehicle from behind and the impact caused my vehicle to hit the car in front of me, and that car to hit the car in front of them. When I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of my vehicle, I noticed that my seat (driver's seat) had reclined backwards. I have lower & mid back pain as a result of the crash. My vehicle is currently at a tow lot where it has been labeled a total loss.
The driver seat advanced forward after hitting the preset button but did not stop. I was crushed between the steering wheel and the dash. There was only 3 inches between the seat and the dash for my knees. This is a major safety issue that caused bodily injury. It happened twice. I have video showing this issue but can’t seem to upload it to this site.
Plastic drivers seat mounting components have failed causing drivers seat to rock back & forth. Concerned that remainder of seat mounting system will fail and I will go through the windshield during a hard brake stop or cause me to swerve and hit or kill someone else.
Third row seat won't go up or down (it is an electrical seat for folding flat or to lift back up for seating). On Aug 12, 2021 took it to Ford dealership near me for any appointment to have fixed. In morning of Friday 13th dealership said still hadn't figured out the problem. By afternoon of 13th August dealership said it is either module or buttons issue and said they needed keep it over weekend. Dealership said they d call me by noon on Monday 16th August to let me know. Well, since I hadn't heard from then I called them again (as I have been doing since they dont seem to communicate with customers). Callie of service dept said its the buttons/switches. That must order them; closest place had them is tennessee she said. We are concerned for we had these exact issues with 2015 Explorer; started with 3rd row seat then all other electrical issues started happening. That Explorer SUV was in shop for several months.
My driver-side seat has a hole beginning from the midway left side due to the stitching coming apart. My dealer service rep was made aware of this issue and has told me it's not covered under any warranty. I feel it will become a serious safety issue because it contains the side impact airbag system devices that are enclosed in the area where the stitching is coming apart. I was also told it would cost me money to fix it. I do not feel that I should bear the financial burden to repair this problem due to faulty stitching. My service rep told me that 3 other vehicles came into the dealership with similar problems. I am willing for a Ford motor company district service rep to inspect it and give me an acceptable solution to this dangerous issue. There was no warning of this problem. My vehicle only has 27000 miles on it! I have owned other vehicles with high mileages on them and never had a seat become unstitched.
Hit a bump and the driver seat randomly moved all the way back to the point I could no longer reach the pedals.
 
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all problems of the 2007 Ford Explorer
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Tl the contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that at start-up, the driver's side front seat independently adjusted, trapping the contact up against the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer walker Ford (17556 us hwy 19 n, clearwater, FL 33764, (727) 265-3992) but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The contact was still awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact indicated that the rear power-folding third-row passenger’s side and driver’s side seats would not properly fold down and remain secured. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was also contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
My 3 yr old truck already has a leaking coolant line which come to find out is draining into the water line in the engine. I can't drive more than 5miles before I need to refill my coolant. In addition, the heating elements in both the driver and passenger seats has gone out. I thought it was a fuse and of course its something more.
The passenger cabin both front and rear has the pungent smell of exhaust whenever the vehicle - engine running and - either in park or drive and - either moving or stationary and - either highway or city driving and - going 0 mph, or 10 mph or 20 mph or 50 mph and - either turning or straight and - with the heat on or off and - with the air conditioning on or off and - with all of the windows sealed (up) the fumes seem to make us not feel well and make our eyes burn. There is something seriously wrong with these cars! so anytime the car is running exhaust fumes are entering the passenger cabin.
Driver's seat will not go all the way back or all the way down. Limited range of motion and will not power back to a safe driving position. Coming up on 6 weeks at the dealership and Ford techs and engineering cannot figure it out. They just keep changing parts. I have concerns about other Explorer st's .
The front driver seat feels loose. When driving and taking a sharp curve or going over bumps the seat shifts.