1998 Ford Explorer Seats Problems

UPON GETTING INTO MY CAR THE SEAT SUDDENLY FELL BACKWARDS , THANK GOODNESS I WAS NOT DRIVING DOWN THE STREET I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. THE POST THAT HOLDS THE DRIVERS SEAT IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION BROKE. AFTER CHECKING ON LINE FOR RECALLS I FOUND THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS AND A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED BUT MY VIN IS NOT IN THE DEALERS DATA BASE SO THEY WILL NOT MAKE THE REPAIRS. I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. *TR

ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO I STARTED TO NOTICE THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT RECLINING AND I COULDN'T RESET IT TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THROUGH THE YEARS THE RECLINE GOT WORST AND I CONTACTED FORD AND ADVISED THEM THAT THIS MAY BE RELATED TO THEIR RECALL # 03V281000. FORD RESPONDED BY TELLING ME THAT I ALREADY GOT SERVICED FOR THIS RECALL AND THAT MY VEHICLE HAS NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS. I PURCHASED ANOTHER SEAT AND RECENTLY HAD IT INSTALLED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ORIGINAL SEAT MY MECHANIC AND I NOTICED A STRESS CRACK ON THE RECLINING BRACKET OF THE SEAT. MY ARGUMENT IS THAT FORDS RECALL REMEDY DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS A DEFECTIVE RECLINING BRACKET THAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM NOT THE UPPER BOLT THEY REPLACED. I HAVE WORKED AS AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC AND KNOW A STRESS CRACK WHEN I SEE IT. THIS IS DEFINITELY A FACTORY DEFECT AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY. I HAD ROUGHLY A INCH LEFT BEFORE THE BACK OF THE SEAT WOULD SNAP AND RECLINE TOTALLY. DEPENDING ON THE SPEED AND TERRAIN YOU ARE DRIVING ON THIS COULD BE TRAGIC. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD NUMEROUS TIMES AND IN THEIR LAST LETTER THEY INDICATED THAT THEY WILL NOT COMMUNICATE WITH ME ANYMORE. I KEPT THE ORIGINAL SEAT AND CAN SEND YOU PHOTOS IF YOU NEED THEM.

SUBJECT: DEFECTIVE SEAT FRAME CAUSED BY FAULTY SEAT RECLINER BOLT COMMENTS: I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT THAT WAS RECALLED BY FORD FOR A FAULTY DRIVERS SEAT RECLINER BOLT. ON JUNE 2ND 2010 I TOOK MY EXPLORER TO FUTURE FORD OF CONCORD CA TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR WORK PERFORMED, WHICH IT WAS, BUT WITH A "NOTE TO THE CUSTOMER" FROM THE FORD MECHANIC THAT THE SEAT FRAME WAS DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY DRIVERS SEAT RECLINER BOLT FOR WHICH MY EXPLORER WAS RECALLED FOR. UPON BEING INFORMED I ASKED MY FORD SERVICE ADVISOR "D.T." HOW FORD PLANNED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGED SEAT FRAME, AND HE REFERRED ME TO THE FUTURE FORD SERVICE MANAGER J.H., WHO IN TURN SAID THAT HIS "COMPUTER SAID" THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, AND THAT I WAS WELCOME TO VOICE MY CONCERNS TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY?!?! CAN SOMEONE AT THE DOT PLEASE EVALUATE MY CASE AND IF WARRANTED, APPROACH FORD MOTOR CO. WITH AN ORDER TO REPLACE THE FAULTY PART(S) AT NO COST TO ME SINCE THE DAMAGE TO THE SEAT FRAME WAS CAUSED BY THE FAULTY DRIVERS SEAT RECLINER BOLT? DRIVING ON A DAMAGED DRIVERS SEAT SEAT FRAME DOESN'T SOUND TOO SAFE TO ME! NO DOUBT THIS IS WHY THE MECHANIC AT FUTURE FORD NOTED THIS ON HIS WORK ORDER, AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR THEN NOTIFIED ME. *TR

TL*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.

TL*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.

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.. *TR

FORD ISSUED A RECALL FOR A BOLT REPLACEMENT IN THE SEAT. SAFETY RECALL 03S04 REFERS. BEACH FORD DEALERSHIP HAS DECLINED TO CONDUCT THE REPAIR DUE TO TIME OF THE RECALL (5 YEARS). THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE BOLT HAD ALREADY SHEARED AND SINCE THE RECALL WAS SO OLD THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR. *TR

TL*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.

TL*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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. FRONT DRIVER SEAT LEVER WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. DRIVING ON THE ROAD ONE AFTERNOON, THE SEAT RECLINED OUT OF CONTROL. THE SEAT MUST BE RECLINED IN A REASONABLE POSITION WHEN DRIVING. HOWEVER, IT WAS UNSAFE FOR HIM TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT HE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN RECALL NUMBER 03V281000. THE RECALL STATED THAT ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT ATTACHED THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME COULD FRACTURE. THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN, AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD OR WILL DO TO FIX IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA). THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW THE NAME OF THE DEALER WHERE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *AK UPDATED 06/14/07. *JB

NHTSA CAMPAIGN #03V281000 SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, WHICH WAS SUBJECT TO THE ABOVE RECALL. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO A FORD DEALER SOMETIME IN 2005 TO HAVE SUBJECT RECALL WORK PERFORMED. ALTHOUGH THIS SUV IS USED SPARINGLY AS IT IS MY THIRD VEHICLE (APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MILES PER YEAR), THE FRONT SEAT HAS SINCE FAILED AS IF THE RECALL WORK WAS NOT PERFORMED AT ALL, OR THE MODIFICATION WAS INADEQUATE. THE FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAS RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *NM

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!. *JB

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. *AK

DEFECTIVE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO DRIVER SEAT FRAME KEPT THE SEAT FROM RECLINING. *BF 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. . *TC *JB

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. *JB

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. *AK

1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT DRIVER'S SEAT BACK LEVER WAS ALWAYS BEING BENT DOWN AS DRIVER WOULD EXIT SUV, CAUSING HANDLE TO JAM AGAINST SEAT FRAME. DRIVER WOULD STRAIGHTEN HANDLE IN ORDER TO CHANGE POSITION OF SEAT BACK FROM ONE DRIVER TO ANOTHER. UPON PUSHING HANDLE BACK UP INTO ORIGINAL POSITION, IT SNAPPED, BREAKING OFF AT CONNECTION POINT, JUST ABOVE TWO RIVETS ON CAM OF THE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY. SEAT WAS IN THE MOST FORWARD UP POSITION (ACROSS DRIVERS SEAT) WHILE ACCESSING SPACE BEHIND DRIVERS SEAT, SPORT MODEL IS A 2-DOOR. HAD TO USE SCREWDRIVER AS A LEVER TO RETURN SEAT BACK TO UPRIGHT POSITION. IF THIS HAD HAPPEN TO MY WIFE (OR OTHER PERSON NOT MECHANICALLY INCLINED) SHE/THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RETURN SEAT BACK TO ITS NORMAL POSITION, AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS SEAT OR DRIVE VEHICLE. THIS COULD VERY WELL CONSTITUTE A SAFETY HAZARD FOR DRIVERS THAT ARE UNABLE TO RETURN SEAT BACK TO PROPER DRIVING POSITION WHEN THIS LEVER BREAKS OFF. PART NUMBER 7862649-AAA, SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY, IS NOT AVAILABLE THOUGHT EXHAUSTIVE SEARCH ON-LINE. WHILE GOING THROUGH SCRAP YARDS LOOKING FOR LEVER ASSEMBLY, FOUND 2 OTHER DRIVER SEAT BACK LEVERS BROKEN IN SIMILAR FASHION. HAVE HAD RECALL NUMBER 03V281000 ALREADY SERVICE ON THIS VEHICLE IN FALL 2003. *AK

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. *AK

PRIOR TO RECEIVING LATCH RECALL, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT AND WAS TOLD ONLY THE BOLT WOULD BE REPLACED, NOT THE LATCH. *PH *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL RELATED TO THIS FAILURE THE DAY AFTER THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. *LA THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY WERE ONLY REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE BOLT NOT THE SEAT. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE SEAT REPLACED AT NO COST TO HER (RECALL #03S04). * NM

THE CONSUMER FELT THAT RECALL #03V281000 WAS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. THE PROBLEM REMAINED. *AK *SC *JB

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. *LA

ON DECEMBER 17,2003 THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT RELEASE ON MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER BROKE WHILE I WAS TRYING TO ADJUST THE SEAT BACK. THE STEEL THAT ATTACHES THE POSITIONING LEVER TO THE MECHANICAL PART OF THE SEAT SHIRRED OFF IN A CLEAN BREAK AND CAME OFF IN MY HAND. MY SEAT BECAME STUCK IN A FORWARD POSITION WHILE I WAS IN THE SEAT FORCING ME INTO A FORWARD POSITION. I HAD TO DRIVE IN THIS POSITION TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY USED A LARGE VICE GRIP TYPE WRENCH TO RELEASE THE SEAT BACK INTO A POSITION SO I COULD DRIVE THE CAR. AT THIS TIME THE SEAT IS JAMMED IN A STATIC POSITION WHILE THE REMAINING PART OF THE STEEL IS STILL IN THE RECLINING GEAR.

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH SEAT RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER STATED THE RECLINING BOLT CRACKED. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK

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. *AK

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. *AK

SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM FAILED ON 1998 FORD EXPLORER.*MR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 03V-281000, RELATED TO THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM BOLT, AFTER THE VEHICLE'S SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM FRACTURED. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF HIS VEHICLE'S FAILURE WAS COVERED BY THE SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER TO HAVE THE SEAT INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL ONLY COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BOLTS, THEREFORE THE FAILURE OF THE RECLINER HANDLE WOULD NOT BE COVERED. *NLM

CONSUMER UNABLE TO TAKE VEHICLE TO HAVE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED BECAUSE CONSUMER HAS BEEN DEPLOYED TO IRAQ.*MR CONSUMER INQUIRED AS WHETHER OR NOT THE REPAIR WOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE WHEN HE RETURNS HOME FROM IRAQ. THE RECALL IS ON THE RECLINING BOLT THAT CONNECTS TO THE BACK OF THE SEAT. *PH

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ON A CURVE THE RECLINING SEAT BACK LURCHED FORWARD. THIS ABRUPT FORWARD MOTION CAUSED THE RECLINER HANDLE TO BREAK OFF. *AK *SCC *JB

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.*AK

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. *AK *NLM

DEALERSHIP WAS NOT HONORING THE RECALL THAT HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO THIS YEAR/ MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD A BROKEN SEAT. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE TOP BOLT ONLY. HOWEVER, THE BOTTOM BOLT NEEDED REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THE SEAT WAS STILL DEFECTIVE. *AK

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.*AK

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. *AK. *JB

WHILE DRIVING SEAT RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

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

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT RECLINE LEVER BROKE OFF. THE SEAT IS UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD, PREVENTING ACCESS TO THE REAR FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE METAL IS TOO WEAK AND AT AN AWKWARD POSITION. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE, EVEN THROUGH THIS IS AN OBVIOUS FAULTY PART AS THE REPLACEMENT PART IS DESIGNED WITH A THICKER METAL. *JB

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING FRONT ASSEMBLY SEAT RECLINER FROM THE MANUFACTURER, BUT DEALER INDICATED THEY DID NOT HAVE YET RECALL PARTS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RECLINES WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING.*AK

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK RECLINER LEVER BROKE OFF WITHOUT BEING USED. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE RECALL DEFECTIVE COMPONENT FOR THE HIGH BACK BOLT 03 V 281 000, IS THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE LEVER BREAKING BECAUSE IT'S PART OF THE SAME STRUCTURE. *PH

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL#03V281000 CONCERNING FRONT SEAT ASSEMBLY RECLINER. PASSENGER'S SEAT RECLINER LEVER BROKE. PASSENGER'S SEAT HAD TO BE SUPPORTED BY TWO TENNIS RACKETS IN ORDER FOR THE SEAT BACK TO STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. *AK

BOTH SEAT RELEASE LATCHES HAVE BROKEN OFF. BACK OF DRIVERS SEAT WILL NOT RELEASE(TILT FORWARD) TO ALLOW ACCESS TO BACK SEAT. PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT SLIDE OR TILT FORWARD TO ALLOW ACCESS TO REAR SEAT PASSENGER SEAT BROKE ON 3/30/03. PASSENGER SEAT LATCH REPAIRED (SPOT WELD) DRIVERS SEAT BROKE ON..*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WOBBLES AND IS NOT STURDY. DEALER WILL FIX THE SEAT AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT RECLINER ON MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT BROKE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. *NLM

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. *AK

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.*AK

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS DRIVER'S SEAT HAS COLLAPSED BACKWARDS WHILE PARKING IN REVERSE. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

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.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT SIDE DRIVER'S SEAT RETAINING BOLT (THAT HOLDS THE SEAT BACK TO THE BASE OF THE SEAT) SHEARED CAUSING THE SEAT BACK TO FALL BACKWARD INTO THE REAR SEAT. THE DRIVER FELL BACK ALSO CAUSING HIM TO RUN OFF THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. LOCAL DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND WISHES TO CHARGE FOR A COMPLETE SEAT REPLACEMENT.*AK

THE SEAT LEVER BROKE, WHERE DO I COMPLAIN TO. *AK

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.*AK

VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES TO PASSENGER SITTING IN SEAT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

THIS WAS SECOND TIME THAT SEAT HAS RECLINED BACK WHILE CONSUMER HAS BEEN DRIVING. FIRST TIME BEING AT 26,400 MILES. THIS TIME CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 55MPH, AND SEAT RECLINED STRAIGHT BACK, AND WOULDN'T GO BACK INTO POSTION. CONSUMER CALLED DEALER, AND THEY COULDN'T GIVE ANY INFORMATION WITHOUT SEEING VEHICLE.*AK

DRIVER'S SEAT BACK BROKE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. *AK

DRIVERS SEAT CATCHES CONSUMERS CLOTHING. NLM

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.*AK

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.*AK

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. *AK

A 'BOLT' FAILED IN THE DRIVER SEAT, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO FULLY RECLINE WITHOUT ANY METHOD OF STOPPING THE RECLINE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS STOPPED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. SINCE THE PART FAILED AT TWO YEARS AND 48000 MILES, THIS SEEMS LIKE A PART THAT MAY FAIL ON OTHER VEHICLES. IF THE SEAT HAD RECLINED 3 MINUTES EARLIER OR LATER, THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC. THE DEALER CHARGED $100 LABOR TO CHANGE THE $2 BOLT.*AK

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.*AK

I WROTE TO FORD MOTOR CO. TO INFORM THEM THAT THE REAR SEAT BOTTOM ON THE 2 DOOR EXPLORER DOES NOT LOCK INTO POSITION. EVERYTIME YOU APPLY THE BRAKES OR STOP IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE REAR THE SEAT MOVES FORWARD. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. I UNDERSTAND ALL 2 DOOR MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD HAD NO COMMENT TO MY LETTER. THANK YOU. *AK

DESIGN OF THE ARM REST ASSEMBLY IS WEAK WHICH RESULTED IN COLLAPSING UNDER WEIGHT OF CONSUMER. MJS

NO SUMMARY.

CENTER ARMREST FAILED. YH

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BLADDER FAILED. YH

THE DRIVER'S SEAT MECHANISM CANNOT MOVE BACK MORE THAN 10 INCHES WHICH PUT THE CONSUMER IN DANGER OF THE AIRBAG IF IT WAS TO DEPLOY. MFR CANNOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

BROKEN SWITCH ON LUMBAR PUMP TO POWER SEAT.

WHILE MAKING A LEFT AT 10 MPH VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 50 MPH, CAUSING BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBACKS TO RECLINE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

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.

DURING REAR IMPACT AT 20 TO 25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARD. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK