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 09/24/1999 to 08/16/2002 | 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 | |||||||||||||||
| 06V114000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | V (Vehicle) | 8585 | 04/10/2006 | MFR | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 04/10/2006 | 04/11/2006 | ||||||||
| 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, the seat back may recline until it makes contact with an object behind the seat, such as the second row seat cushion. | |||||||||||||||
| 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. the recall began on april 10, 2006. owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. this is a supplement to a previous recall campaign (03v281). | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Ford recall no. 03s04. customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov. | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEATS | |||||
| 14352 | 09/01/2000 | 618611 | Subject pertaining to right front seat movement after rear access. *jb | 04/18/2001 | |
| SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - RECLINER | |||||
| 15230 | 09/01/2001 | 625780 | Some vehicles may exhibit an passenger seat that does not latch securely after rleasing, sliding forward, and returning the seat to its normal position. *tt | 12/03/2001 | |
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 | |||
| 10/01/2010 | |||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer sport. the contact stated that upon sitting in the front driver's seat, the seat unexpectedly reclined. the contact also stated that the bottom portion of the seat cushion dropped downward. numerous authorized dealers were notified and the contact was informed that the parts necessary to remedy the failure were no longer manufactured. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number 03v281000 (seats:front assembly:recliner). the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was unknown. the vin was unavailable. | |||
| 10/01/2010 | |||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer sport. the contact stated that upon sitting in the front driver's seat, the seat unexpectedly reclined. the contact also stated that the bottom portion of the seat cushion dropped downward. numerous authorized dealers were notified and the contact was informed that the parts necessary to remedy the failure were no longer manufactured. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number 03v281000 (seats:front assembly:recliner). the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was unknown. the vin was unavailable. kmj | |||
| 10/01/2010 | |||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer sport. the contact stated that upon sitting in the front driver's seat, the seat unexpectedly reclined. the contact also stated that the bottom portion of the seat cushion dropped downward. numerous authorized dealers were notified and the contact was informed that the parts necessary to remedy the failure were no longer manufactured. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number 03v281000 (seats:front assembly:recliner). the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was unknown. the vin was unavailable. sm. | |||
| 02/07/2009 | 58887 | 1 | |
| The driver's seat is loose and tilts to the right. there is clearly something wrong with the way it is affixed to the vehicle. the seat recliner mechanism has a defect causing this looseness. the degree of looseness has increased since it became clearly apparent in february of 2009; 5 months after purchasing the vehicle. it is now even more loose and there is clearly a problem that could lead to hazardous conditions if not fixed by the dealer. i was lied to at the dealer several times, i requested carfax repeatedly, but was never provided with one. i requested a car manual repeatedly, but was never given one. i obtained a carfax on my own that shows the dealer lied about the number of previous owners, the service of one ford recall, and the existence of a second ford recall. that is the seat reclining mechanism. there is a safety recall 03s04, dated august 2003. certain 2001-2002 model year 2-door explorer/explorer sport* vehicles equipped with high back seats, but at the louisville assembly plant from job #1, 2001 through job last 2002. in 2001, the explorer 2-door was renamed explorer sport. affected vehicles are identified oasis. in addition, for a list of vehicles assigned to your dealership, visit the website. this information was made available on april 5, 2006. some of the vehicles affected by this program will receive one letter describing both programs. for customers convenience, please complete both programs 03s03 and 03s04 during one customer visit. the reason for this safety recall is in some of the affected vehicles, a bolt that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the driver seat back frame may fracture. if this condition were to occur, the customer may experience looseness or noise in the seat. in extreme cases the seat back may recline until it makes contact with an object behind the seat or the second row cushion. the occupant could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals, possibly resulting in a crash. *tr | |||
| 01/12/2005 | 1 | ||
| While driving on the highway my seat collapse under neat causing my body to slouch. i started to swerve the car but had under control and luckily caused no accident. i took it to a dealership the next day , and they told me that i would have to purchase a brand new seat frame and cushion since the seat frame broke, they even said they have never heard this happened or seen it happen. they told me since it does not cover under warranty or extended warranty, which i had purchased when i bought the car, that i would have pay for it and that it will cost me almost 400 dollars. i told them that i should not have to pay for a seat frame that should not break, i even called the ford motor company and all they said was that we will tell the engineers and the only thing they can offer was discount. i am not a heavy person and anyway no matter how heavy you are a seat frame should not break or collapse at any point of time. i have only owned this car for 4 years and it seems as though ford is blaming me for breaking the part and it is my fault. like i have said before i am not willing to pay for a part that should not break. *jb | |||
| 11/29/2002 | 11/01/2002 | ||
| Engine temperature gauge reading hot when vehicle is not overheating. check gauges trouble light comes on. dealer replaced but still malfunctioning transmission shifting hard. vehicle will jerk/clunk every time tranmission shifts. dealer flushed transmission and replace fluid. no change in transmission function. vehcile vibrates/shakes at higher speeds. may be the driveshaft. dealer rotated tires. virbration still exists. rear seat bottoms do not anchor securely. the seat bottoms flip up when exiting the vehicle. the rear window wiper was not clearing the covered area, leaving dirt and debris on the window obstructing the view. dealer adjusted arm problem is resolved. dt | |||
| 09/27/2001 | 2 | 05/01/2001 | |
| Ongoing problem with second row seat flipping over when exiting vehicle. dealer and manufacturer were notified. *ak *mj consumer states that the seat bottoms on the back seat flip, the rear of the bottom on seats flips forward and pasenger slides off seat. *slc | |||
| 06/17/2001 | 3 | 06/12/2001 | |
| Customer complains that back bench seat is of such design that when children sit on it, and brake is applied seat will move up, and start to flip forward. this does not happen when adults sit on bench. vehicle taken to dealer 3 times, found no problem with seat. *ak | |||
| 10/03/2000 | 1 | 08/23/2000 | |
| Second row seat is not properly anchored. dealer notified, and informed consumer that this was normal for that vehicle. seeking help from nhtsa in this matter.*ak when rear seat are in upright position, backk of seat remains locked but seat part moves in catapulting fashion. *yh | |||
| SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - RECLINER | |||
| 04/11/2007 | 100 | 10/10/2004 | |
| Driver's seat recliner. per nhtsa recall campaign 03v281000 on other ford explorer sport models of the same year there was a recall issued on the driver's side recliner where the seat would recline during acceleration , causing the driver to lose contact with steering wheel and pedals. the 2001 ford explorer fell outside of the time frame for the recall yet had the same problems. i am asking to expand the time frame since same conditions existed. *ak | |||
| 08/17/2006 | 80000 | 1 | 06/01/2004 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 30 mph, the passenger side seat reclined without warning. the passenger grabbed the driver, causing the driver to swerve and hit the curb. the front passenger side tire blew out. the vehicle was taken to the dealership and the recliner assembly needed to be replaced. | |||
| 09/16/2005 | 60000 | 1 | 12/01/2001 |
| John killen was driving his 2001 ford explorer sport truck, when the driver's seat completely reclined. apparently the seat had broken. the bolt connecting the top portion of the high-back seat to the assembly recliner had split in half. the seat can not be put back into the upright position without having to be propped up. john had talked to a neighbor about the problem, the neighbor stated that there had been a recall. upon further investigation, there was the recall on the internet. john had called ford to inquire the recall, and to state that the seat in his truck had broken. the customer service rep. stated that there was no recall. john called a second time and a different customer rep stated that his truck had already been fixed. john called a third time and the customer rep stated that his truck was not included in the recall- even though the part that broke in john's driver seat was the same part described in the recall. now ford wants john to pay for the repair on the defected part.*jb | |||
| 03/09/2005 | 80000 | 8 | 06/01/2003 |
| Dt: consumer owns a 2001 ford explorer sport. she found recall 03v281000 for same year, make and model, 03v281000. but her vehicle was not included in the recall, according to manufacturer. the consumer would like to have her vehicle included in the recall because her vehicle had the same problem as described in the recall. front seats did not lock in the upright position. if seat backs were pressed on the seat they will give and fall into the reclined position. she had not anyone look at seats to see what caused the problem. *ak | |||
| 06/27/2004 | 83000 | 3 | 03/08/2003 |
| Passenger side latch not catching on front seat. i hurt my upper back and neck. the seat just goes back on its own. *ak | |||
| 04/16/2004 | 80000 | 1 | |
| Recall 03v28100 regarding high back seat. consumer was reaching back trying to pick up something behind the seat and the seat collapsed backwards onto the rear seat. consumer's vehicle was not covered under the recall due to vin. *ak | |||