71 of the 2,374 complaints about the 1998 Ford Explorer are about the seats — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 85,056 miles.
71
Complaints
7
Crashes
0
Fires
9
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SEATS
SPEED CONTROL GETS HOT TO TOUCH. ALL TOP FACING HAS MELTED OFF FROM HEAT. I WAS ON HIGHWAY AND MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. MY SEAT WAS REPAIRED AFTER RECALL YEARS AGO. IT CONTINUES TO DROP LOW TO FLOOR.
NHTSA complaint #11298074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10594653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10371629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
AUGUST 18TH 2010 1:30 PM PEARLAND TX . A FORD EXPLORER 4 DOORS GET HIT IT IN THE BACK BY OTHER VEHICLE WILL IS IN STOP POSITION; ABOUT 40/50 MILES P/H. THE FRONT PANEL GET BROKE, THE STEREO FLU TO THE FRONT HITTING THE DRIVER. AND THE AIR BAG "DO NOT OPEN" DRIVER COULD BE INJURED ON THE FACE AND AT THE ARMS. ALSO THE DRIVER SEAT IS BROKE IN THE BACK
NHTSA complaint #10350478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10272943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10264481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
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..
NHTSA complaint #10239108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10220042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10209405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DT: THE CONTACT PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE ON A WARRANTY. SHE DISCOVERED THE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES WERE BROKEN. ALSO, THE FRONT SEATS DID NOT RECLINE PROPERLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10143552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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!.
NHTSA complaint #10138193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10103524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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
NHTSA complaint #10099826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10098063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10097673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10066763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
PRIOR TO RECEIVING LATCH RECALL, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT AND WAS TOLD ONLY THE BOLT WOULD BE REPLACED, NOT THE LATCH. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10065087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10052357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO REPAIR CAR PARTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT AND HAVE SERIOUS SAFTY ISSUES. DRIVERS CAR SEAT BACK COLLAPSE, ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUPPORT BRACKET ELL OFF THE FLOOR BOAD...NEEDS TO BE WELDED BACK ON.
NHTSA complaint #10051202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10050977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH SEAT RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER STATED THE RECLINING BOLT CRACKED. NO IMPACT REPORTED.
NHTSA complaint #10051641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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
NHTSA complaint #10048549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10048196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10049026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10049823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10044366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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
NHTSA complaint #10044371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10044328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10042504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING SEAT RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10041975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.