1999 Ford Explorer Seats

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER VEHICLE REQUIRING ME TO HEAVILY BRAKE AND SHARPLY SWERVE TO AVERT COLLISION. BECAME IMMEDIATELY AWARE THAT HEADRESTS OF FRONT SEATS PROVIDED ABSOLUTELY NO (REPEAT NO) INJURY (E,G. WHIPLASH) PROTECTION. WHEN SITTING IN FRONT SEATS THE HEADRESTS CANNOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE POSITIONED CLOSE TO THE HEAD OF THE OCCUPANT. THIS, IN TURN, PROVIDES THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR SEVERE INJURY SUCH AS "WHIPLASH" TO OCCUR. ATTEMPTS TO PURCHASE SAFER REPLACEMENT HEADRESTS FROM FORD AND OTHER AUTOMOTIVE PARTS STORES WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AS THEY WERE REPORTEDLY NEVER MANUFACTURED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT PREMATURELY DETERIORATED AND THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FRACTURE CAUSING THE SEAT TO BE STRUCTURALLY UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V281000 (SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

WAS DRIVING AROUND THE CITY WHEN I REACH INTO MY POCKET TO GET MY PHONE AND HEAR A LOUD THUMP COMING FROM THE SEAT AND THE NEXT THING I NOTICE IS THE SEAT RECLINING ALL THE WAY BACK. I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT BACK UP BY FOLDING THE EXTERIOR PASSENGER SEAT TO PROVIDE SOME SORT OF SUPPORT. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME I TRIED INSPECTING WHAT THE ISSUE WAS AND SAW A LARGE FRACTURE RIGHT NEXT TO THE RECLINING MECHANISM. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A HAZARD THAT CAN ONE DAY CAUSE A SEVERE ACCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE BEEN DRIVING SLOW BUT IF I WERE TO BE IN THE FREEWAY THEN IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS. THIS LARGE FRACTURE SEEMS TO DERIVE FROM A POORLY DESIGNED SEAT THAT WEAK METAL OF SOME SORT. *TR

1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT DRIVERS SEAT BACK UNLATCHED ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY ONLY 20 MPH! REAR PASSENGER DRIVERS SIDE SEAT IS FOLDED DOWN FORWARD TO HOLD DRIVERS SEAT IN PLACE, UNTIL I CAN FIND ANOTHER USED SEAT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINED FARTHER THAN NORMAL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE RECLINING BOLT WAS SEPARATED FROM THE METAL TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,118.

SEAT BROKE ON IMPACT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WOULD NOT STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE BOLTING OF THE SEAT FAILED DUE TO THE WEIGHT CAPACITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

TL* 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN A CHILD PASSENGER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE PULLED ON THE DRIVER SEAT TO RECLINE HERSELF AND THE SEAT RECLINED BACKWARD AND FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLT THAT HELD THE SETA IN PLACE FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V281000 (SEATS: FRONT ASSEMBLY: RECLINER) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKET OF THE BASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 12/21/10*BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE FIXED THE SEAT AT HIS EXPENSE. UPDATED 12/29/10

TL* 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.

THIS BOLT WAS REPLACED ON MY VEHICLE IN JAN 2004 AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE NEW BOLT THAT WAS INSTALLED FRACTURED CREATING A VERY SERIOUS CRASH RISK. FORD SAYS THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE ONCE. AUTO RECALL DATE: AUG 05, 2003 VEHICLE COMPONENT: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER ESTIMATED VEHICLES AFFECTED: 1552880 MODEL AFFECTED 1999 FORD EXPLORER 1999 FORD EXPLORER DEFECT SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS, THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT, THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, COULD FRACTURE. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION. DEFECT CONSEQUENCE: THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT UPPER BOLT WITH A METAL SPACER AND BOLT. IN ADDITION, SEATS WITH TUBULAR BACK FRAMES WILL HAVE THE FULLY THREADED LOWER RECLINER BOLT REPLACED WITH A PARTIALLY THREADED BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ESTIMATED VEHICLES AFFECTED: 1552880 NOTES: FORD MOTOR COMPANY 03S04. *TR

TL*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.

1999 FORD EXPLORER RECALL ON SEAT RECLINER CUSTOMER WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEATING FOR THE 99 FORD EXPLORER AND IN AUGUST 2003 HE TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP WHO IN FACT PERFORMED THE REPAIRS AND NOW FOUR YEARS LATER THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED YET AGAIN BUT THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. * TR

TL* 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. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES HE WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS. UPDATE 05/10/07*TR

DT*: 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.

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! *NM

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. *NM

(1) DRIVER'S SEAT BACK LATCH BROKEN (2) COULD NOT ENTER, OR EXIT FROM, REAR SEAT ON DRIVER'S SIDE (3) FORD DEALER REPLACED LATCH TOTAL COST ABOUT $200. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT DOES NOT RECLINE. IF THE SEAT IS ADJUSTED TO LEAN FORWARD, IT WILL NOT GO BACK. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SEAT TRACK IS BENT. UPDATED 2/24/2006 - THE SEAT WILL RECLINE BUT WILL NOT ADJUST. IT IS FROZEN ON THE TRACK AND AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER CANNOT REACH THE GAS PEDAL . *NM

CONSUMER REPLACED FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT (BOTTOM FRAME) 3 TIMES. EACH TIME THE SEAT FRAME HAS BROKEN IN THE SAME MANNER. *BF THE FRAME METAL RIPPED/TORE AT THE LOCATION OF THE MOUNTING BOLT FOR THE RECLINER LEVER. THE TEARING CAUSED THE SEAT BACK TO RECLINE WITHOUT WARNING ON THE LEFT SIDE. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER FELL BACKWARDS AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. *NM

I'VE RECEIVED NOTICE OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT RECLINER BOLT ON MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER INDICATING THIS WOULD BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. WHEN I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A POSSIBLITY THE BOLT COULD BREAK OFF WHILE THEY WERE MAKING THE REPAIRS AND THEY WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE OVER NIGHT. WHEN I ASKED FOR ASSURANCE THEY PROVIDE A LOANER CAR, THEY REFUSED. IN MY MIND, THIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE. I WOULD BE GLAD TO DROP THIS OFF FOR REPAIRS IF I CAN BE ASSURED I CAN HAVE MY VEHICALE BACK THAT SAME DAY. SHOULD THEY BREAK THE BOLT AND NEED TO HAVE IT OVERNIGHT WOULD BE THEIR SOMETHING THEY CAUSED AND SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR, NOT THE CONSUMER. WHAT IS TO STOP THEM FROM INTENTIONALLY DOING THIS TO MAKE MONEY ON RENTAL FEES. ALL I ASK IS FOR SOME REASSURANCE THIS REPAIR WILL BE MADE WITH CHARGE TO ME. FORD MOTOR COMPANY MUST TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRING AND REASSURING ITS CUSTOMERS THIS SAFETY PROBLEM IS REPAIRED WITHOUT COST AND RISK TO ITS CUSTOMERS.*AK

1998 FORD EXPLORER DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER.*MR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL # 03V281000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER SEAT HAS NOT FAILED, HOWEVER THE PASSENGER SEAT DID. *JB

THIS REPORT CONCERNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT 2DR 4X4. VEHICLE HAS 144,000 PLUS MILES. SPECIFICALLY THIS PERTAINS TO THE FRONT DRIVER?S SEAT (NON-POWER MODEL). OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT (BOTTOM FRAME) THREE TIMES. EACH TIME THE SEAT FRAME HAS BROKEN IN THE SAME MANNER. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FRAME METAL RIPS/TEARS AT THE LOCATION OF THE MOUNTING BOLT FOR THE RECLINE LEVER. THIS TEARING CAUSES THE SEAT BACK TO RECLINE WITHOUT WARNING ON THE LEFT SIDE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO FALL BACKWARDS AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. FORD HAS STATED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY INFO ON THIS. THIS IS SOMEWHAT STRANGE AS THEY APPARENTLY DIRECTED DEALERSHIPS APPROXIMATELY 2 YRS AGO TO REPLACE THIS FRAME ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE PROBLEM IS VERY APPARENT AND A VERY EASY FIX. THE TEARING OCCURS JUST TO THE FRONT OF THE (FRONT) BOLT HOLE ABOUT 1/8 INCH FROM THE HOLE. THERE IS A LARGE SPOT WELDED PLATE INSIDE THE FRAME WHERE THE BOLTS FOR THE RECLINE LEVER INSERT INTO THE FRAME. IF THIS PLATE WAS EXTENDED ABOUT 4 INCHES OR MORE PAST THE FRAME HOLES THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT OCCUR. I HAVE DETAILED PHOTOS OF THIS FRAME AND PROBLEM AREA AVAILABLE FOR USE TO YOUR OFFICE AS WELL AS THE FRAME ITSELF.*AK

DRIVER'S SEAT WAS RECLINING BACKWARD WHILE DRIVING AND WAS SHIFTING TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.*AK