Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - RECLINER | ||||||||||||||||
| 03V281000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | from 05/13/1997 to 12/24/2000 | V (Vehicle) | 1552880 | 08/29/2003 | ODI | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 08/05/2003 | 08/07/2003 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Ford recall no. 03s04.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEATS | |||||
| 13218 | 09/01/1999 | 6090591 | Information regarding seat that willl not move forward. *mjs | 03/21/2000 | |
| 7079 | 09/01/1999 | 6090430 | Information regarding seat that will not move forward. *mjs | 03/20/2000 | |
| 982515 | 12/21/1998 | 603653 | Conditions with the front seat back lever bent. *yc | 03/01/1999 | |
| SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - POWER ADJUST | |||||
| 12126 | 11/01/1998 | 613148 | Some limited vehicles with memory seats built through 10/22/98 may exhibit a concern for power seats. | 06/19/2000 | |
| 982019 | 10/12/1998 | 603704 | Concerns with the power seat control button ( knob ) may detach from the switch actuator. *yc | 03/03/1999 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - RECLINER | ||||||
| PE03020 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 05/21/2003 | 09/05/2003 | FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT | 03V281000 | |
| By letter dated august 4, 2003, ford notified the agency that it is conducting a voluntary safety recall (nhtsa recall no. 03v281) involving certain model year (my) 1998-2001 ford explorer / mercury mountaineer 4-door, my 1998-2000 ford explorer 2-door and my 2001-2002 ford explorer sport and sport trac vehicles equipped with high back seats.complaints allege that the driver's seat back reclined without warning.a bolt between the upper seat recliner attachment and the seat back frame may fracture.ford will replace the bolt that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame on the driver side seat.based on ford's safety recall action, this investigation is closed. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEATS | |||
| 08/28/2012 | 173000 | 1 | |
| Seat broke on impact. *tr | |||
| 08/28/2012 | 173000 | ||
| Seat broke on impact | |||
| 03/29/2009 | 70000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 03/29/2009 | 70000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 1999 ford explorer. the contact stated that the driver side seat would not stay in the upright position. the vehicle was inspected by a independent mechanic and they advised him that bolting of the seat had failed due to the weight capacity. the vehicle has not been repaired. the manufacturer was also contacted and they offered no assistance. the failure mileage was approximately 70,000. tb | |||
| 01/10/2011 | 30000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 1999 ford explorer. the contact stated the drive side seat back has no support and broke while driving 35 mph. there was a recall nhtsa campaign id number: 03v281000, component: seats:front assembly:recline. ford recall no. 03s04. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed her that her vin was not included in the recall. the manufacturer was contacted who stated her vin was not included in the recall and offered no other assistance. the failure mileage was 30,000....mw | |||
| 08/23/2010 | 160000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 1999 ford explorer sport. while examining the vehicle he noticed the front drivers side seat was detached from the mounting bracket on the base. the vehicle was not taken to be examined for the cause of failure. the manufacturer was notified and he was informed to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer where he would have to pay to have it repaired. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 160,000. the vin was unavailable. sm. | |||
| 06/18/2006 | 103340 | 8 | 06/21/2001 |
| 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 | |||
| 05/02/2006 | 34000 | 4 | |
| 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 | |||
| 04/11/2006 | 50000 | 1 | 10/03/1999 |
| 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. | |||
| 02/01/2006 | 23400 | 1 | 03/01/1999 |
| 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 | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 3 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 07/01/2002 | 45000 | 1 | 03/01/1999 |
| While consumer was driving the frame at the base of the seat broke in two. *ak the metal bracket connected to the side of the side adjustment broke and caused the seat to fall back. *nm | |||
| 02/19/2003 | 1 | 02/27/2002 | |
| There was a recall for the driver's seat recliner bolt. after taking vehicle in 3 different times to get recall work done, after it was completed, the seat is still malfunctioning due to damage done in the interim between the malfunction and a year later getting the recall bolt fixed. the different brackets and bolts that support the seat broken. driver is relying on steering column for support while driving, and also has back pain due to lack of support. the seat recliner lever is bent and exposed, which is tearing the fabric of the seat and also scrapes against the driver when entering and exiting the vehicle, causing bruises and pain on the back of the driver's leg. attempts to work with ford motor company, the better business bureau, and the dealer have proved futile.*ak | |||
| 08/22/2003 | |||
| 03-v-281-000:the upper bolt on the driver | |||
| 04/09/2003 | 71200 | 1 | 01/22/1999 |
| Crossbar under front of power seat broke i was told the whole assembly including motor needs replaced not just the bar. it is like driving on water(floating around). the warranty would cover if the motor failed or if it was a nonpowered seat. this is hazardous and should be fixed as a safety issue.*ak | |||
| 12/11/2002 | 63568 | 1 | |
| Consumer states that while driving and without warning the driver seat will fully recline back causing a distraction to the consumer. dealer notified. *ak | |||
| 1 | 10/15/2000 | ||
| The seat latch assembly broke. *ak *jb | |||
| 02/19/2003 | 33000 | 1 | |
| The front row electric bucket seat collapsed backward without warning. *jb the bolt that holds the seat, had crystallized and broke. scc | |||
| 06/08/2002 | |||
| While driving at speed limit of 45 mph bottom bolt that holds drivers seat broke, causing the seat to fold back. consumer had barely survived this incident.*ak | |||
| 11/27/2000 | 1 | ||
| The right side of the rear seat cushion was coming loose. *slc | |||
| 11/01/2001 | 2 | ||
| While driving the mechanism that holds the driver's seat back broke. took to the dealer and the seat was fixed. after a few days later it broke again, this time not only the mechanism, but the plastic side cover and the seat cover were damaged. consumer stated there may be a design deficiency of the mechanism or a manufacturer deficiency of the entire seat. *yh | |||
| 06/24/2002 | 1 | 09/22/2001 | |
| While driving 65 mph, driver's seatback rest collapsed completely backward. dealer notifed and notice that bolt was shearing off. *ak consumer adds seat bolts snapped in half causing seat back to collapse and drivers hands went off the steering wheel and foot hit the gas pedal causing vehicle to be out of control. *tt | |||
| 03/25/2002 | |||
| While driving driver's seat fell back. dealer determined it broke at seat bottom. *ak | |||
| 01/31/2002 | 1 | ||
| While backing out of a driveway at approximately 5 mph a bolt in drivers seat unexpectedly broke and caused seatback to fall into second row of seats. as a result, driver's foot hit accelerator pedal, increasing speed of vehicle, and lost control. vehicle traveled an estimated distance of 50-60 feet before crashing into a tree. driver received minor head and shoulder injuries. vehicle has not been examined by the dealership. please provide any additional information / documentation. note: part is available for inspection.*ak | |||
| 05/04/2000 | 0 | ||
| Driver seat moved back and forward. also, reclined without prior warning.consumer lost control of vehicle when this happened. *ak | |||
| 13 | 01/01/1999 | ||
| Receive a static shock upon steppimg out of vehicle and touching door to close it. ford has a special service message #03373 which confirms this but states this is a normal condition. i owned a 1992 ford explorer and never had this happen. in addition, no one spends $28,000 for a vehicle and receives a static discharge and finds that acceptable. problem #2 is the windshield wipers come on by themself periodically. | |||
| 07/31/1999 | |||
| Arm rest in the back of the truck is in the way of where the child seat is the best place to go.dealer was contacted and stated that they make no other seats. *ak | |||
| 08/03/1999 | |||
| When lifting the latch on the seat, the latch spring flipped off, and the passenger's side seat broke. seat rocks forward and backward on the rails, and the back of the seat goes up and down. *ak | |||
| 02/21/1999 | 1 | 11/12/1998 | |
| Front seat hinge made of 3 steel slotted plates, the middle plate slides w/movement of seat. with seatback in an upright position all three slots line up, allowing child to easily insert finger through hole. upon moving seatback forward, middle plate slid, amputating childs index finger. | |||
| SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - POWER ADJUST | |||
| 08/10/2004 | 135000 | 2 | |
| Driver seat fell into the back seat. there was a recall for the seat. vehicle was picked up and the seat fell again. dealer stated that the seat was worn out. *ak | |||
| 10/01/1999 | 100 | 07/01/1999 | |
| When either accelerating or decelerating the driver's side seat will make a popping sound and move (short distances). the manufacturer has claimed it happens on all 1999 explorer models (eddie bauer version) with eletronic seats. i am worried that the seat could be designed incorrectly and possibly move forward during an accident since it will move during normal acelerations and decelerations. | |||
| SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - RECLINER | |||
| 01/10/2011 | 30000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 03/11/2010 | 89000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 07/14/2009 | 128000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 08/01/2003 | 1 | 11/14/1998 | |
| 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 | |||
| 12/25/2006 | 0 | 1 | 01/01/2005 |
| 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 | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 1 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 08/01/2002 | 1 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 10/29/2004 | 149000 | 1 | 05/15/2002 |
| 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 | |||
| 10/15/2004 | 88450 | 1 | |
| 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. *bf the dealer replaced the driver's side bolt under recall 03v281000 but not the passenger side bolt. *nm | |||
| 08/25/2004 | 55700 | 1 | 10/01/2003 |
| While driving in reverse and applying the brakes to stop vehicle suddenly driver's seat back recliner broke. as result, the consumer lost control. *ak *sc | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 54957 | 1 | |
| Driver's seat suddenly reclined and could not return back to the upright position.*mr dealer notified. *cb | |||
| 04/01/2004 | 72000 | 1 | 03/01/2004 |
| 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.*ak | |||
| 12/01/2003 | 1 | ||
| While driving 55 mph, consumer felt looseness and a breaking sound which left his seat in a reclined position. *ph recalls 03s04 and 03s03 were repaired on the vehicle, but the consumer was told that the seat was not remedied because it was not apart of the recall. the consumer was also not eligible for reimbursement. recall# 1552880. *sc *jb | |||
| 03/15/2004 | 83000 | 1 | 05/31/2003 |
| 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. *mr *la | |||
| 02/15/2004 | 95000 | 1 | 05/01/1999 |
| While driving at an undetermined speed, the front passenger seat collapsed without warning. this caused the passenger to fall backwards into the rear seat. the consumer will contact the dealership. *ak *nm | |||
| 1 | |||
| Vehicle's seat bolt recalled, and the seat back collapsed unexpectedly. *la the dealership informed the consumer that the problem he experienced with the seat was not the recalled part, but instead a sat back frame that broke. *jb | |||
| 2 | 04/01/2002 | ||
| The driver's seat back reclined while driving. the dealer replaced the bolt. the consumer stated after the vehicle was picked up, the seat back continued to recline. *jb | |||
| 68000 | 3 | ||
| Recall# 03v281000 subject: high back seats. the dealer informed the consumer that the recall repair could not be done because they waited too long to bring the vehicle in for repair/replacement. *jb | |||
| 07/14/2003 | 68000 | 1 | |
| Manufacturer's recall 03504 concerning seat recliner bolt: this vehicle is a part of a recall, but the dealer refuses to repair the problem. the dealer found that the recliner mechanism is damaged and wants the consumer to pay for repairing the mechanism. consumer feels that because the bolt breaking is the reason that the mechanism is damaged in the first place, and refuses to pay for repairs. *ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| Owner received a recall notice, and took the vehicle to dealership. to install bolts for the reclining seat mechanism, which was part of the recall. however, dealer declined to do repairs because vehicle was diagnosed with a broken seat frame. owner was told he would have to pay for broken seat frame repairs. *ak | |||
| 08/24/2003 | 1 | 11/01/2002 | |
| The driver and passenger seat bolt failed. this caused the seat to collapse into the rear seats. dealer has been contacted. *ak when getting in and out of the vehicle the handle that reclined the seat broke. *ts *nlm | |||
| 08/01/2002 | 34000 | 1 | 04/12/2002 |
| Drivers seat has started to recline. the latest recall replaces a couple of bolts but the dealer says that will not fix the problem. the seat leans extremely back making it hard to drive. i have to hang on to the steering wheel to keep myself upright. this has caused my wrist to become extremely painful now. i can barely hold more than 2 pounds before the hand lets go.*ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| While driving driver's seat fell all the way back and injured the drivers' back. consumer received recall notice 03v28100 for this problem after the incident. but dealer refused t0 honor recall.*ak | |||
| 09/01/2003 | 1 | 01/22/1999 | |
| While driving, the passenger seat reclined without warning.*ak. the consumer stated the passenger and driver seats mechanism was of poor quality. ford had a recall on the drivers seat but not the passenger seat. *jb | |||
| 09/02/2003 | 28900 | 1 | |
| When reclining front passenger side seatback reclining bolt disconnected from the seat. dealer notified. *ak | |||
| 11/01/2002 | 70000 | 1 | 07/01/1999 |
| Passenger side high back seat bolt recliner mechanism broke, which caused the seat to collapse. recall 03v281000 on high back seat, however the recall did not include the passenger side. consumer said the manufacturer felt one repair was liable. *ak *jb | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 1 | ||
| The vehicle's seat back gave way without warning when the consumer exited the parking lot. he sustained minor neck and lower back injuries. the dealer stated a bolt had broken/sheared off leaving the seat unsupported. *ph *jb *cb | |||
| 07/13/2003 | 22000 | 1 | 08/07/1999 |
| On july 13, 2003, i was driving my 1999 explorer and the bolt holding the seatback up snapped and the seat flopped back. i had my family in the car. i spoke with ford who told me to take the car to the dealer to look at the seat.*ak also, the car has a history of stalling while moving. it has happened on the highway several tmes and luckily has not led to an accident. i have taken it to ford several times to discuss the problem and i have been told there is nothing that can be done until the check engine light comes on. they apparently can not diagnose the problem until the car's computer senses a problem. | |||
| 07/02/2003 | 1 | ||
| Driver seat recline mechanism failure, frame of seat cracked, seat stuck in recline. *ak | |||
| 05/02/2003 | 67730 | 1 | 08/01/2002 |
| In re to the driver's seat: the consumer's daughter was in the back seat when she asked to place the seat in an upright position as it was lying against her knees. the consumer found a single bolt which had snapped off and caused the seat to remain in the down position. (the metal looked as if it were defective) *ak *scc *jb | |||
| 10/01/2002 | |||
| The back of my driver seat in my 1999 ford explorer reclines at times without notice. | |||
| 06/24/2002 | 1 | 09/22/2001 | |
| While driving 65 mph, driver's seatback rest collapsed completely backward. dealer notifed and notice that bolt was shearing off. *ak consumer adds seat bolts snapped in half causing seat back to collapse and drivers hands went off the steering wheel and foot hit the gas pedal causing vehicle to be out of control. *tt | |||
| 03/01/2002 | |||
| Driver's side seat latch will not move at all. dealership is aware of problem.*ak | |||
| 02/25/2002 | 1 | 07/01/2001 | |
| While driving the seatback broke, causing me to lose control momentarily. i am not a large person i am 6'3 and 220 lbs. i am sure that if there had been more vehicles on the road ther would have been an accident. i would hope that you would into this because i think that it would cause an accident for someone.*ak | |||
| 07/28/2000 | 1 | 09/01/1999 | |
| During vehicle collision, no deployment of the air bags occurred and the seat back collapsed, resulting in injury to the driver. *mjs | |||
| 1 | 01/01/1999 | ||
| Poor design of the passenger seat (bench) will not lock in place. however, when a passenger is getting out of the vehicle the bench tilt up in the rear part of seat causing failure which could result in possible injury. *yc | |||
| This vehicle was hit in the rear end by another vehicle at about 30 mph. upon impact, air bags did not deploy, also the front drivers seat collapsed, when welds holding seat frame failed, throwing the driver foward into the steering wheel, then falling backward. dealer has been contacted. | |||
| SEATS - MID/REAR ASSEMBLY | |||
| 1 | 12/31/1998 | ||
| The backseat are not properly secured causing them to lift up if someone leans forward in the seat. nlm | |||