25 of the
503 complaints about the 2001 Ford Explorer are about the
seats — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
81,500 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V281000 (SEATS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT WAS HARD TO RECLINE UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THREE TIMES TO SHAKER'S FAMILY FORD LINCOLN (831 STRAITS TURNPIKE, WATERTOWN, CT 06795) FOR THE RECALL. ON THE FIRST DEALER VISIT, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT. ON THE SECOND VISIT, THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE UPPER BOLT AND INSTALLED A NEW BOLT HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE DEALER DAMAGED THE SEAT IN THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING THE NEW BOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT NO LONGER RECLINED AND NEEDED THE MIDDLE ROW SEATS TO KEEP IT UPRIGHT. ON THE THIRD VISIT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DECLINED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,800.
NHTSA complaint #11415270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,500 milesNEW Holland, PA
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH FORCE AND THE PASSENGER SEAT INDEPENDENTLY FOLDED FORWARD AND THEN BACKWARDS. THE SEAT WOULD NO LONGER HOLD ITS UPRIGHT POSITION AND HAD TO BE PROPPED UP BY FOLDING DOWN THE REAR SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WELD ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V281000 (SEATS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,500. UPDATED 04/04/16*LJ A BOLT WAS REPLACED IN THE SEAT BACK. UPDATED 04/05/16.
NHTSA complaint #10794727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 166,694 milesClarksville, TN
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD SUDDENLY UNLOCK. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEATS WOULD MOVE FORWARD WHEN MAKING A SUDDEN STOP AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND HATCH DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,694.
NHTSA complaint #10780714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,500 milesFort Worth, TX
SEATS
MY 4 DOOR EXPLORER IS EQUIPPED WITH RECLINER HIGH BACK SEATS. ABOUT A 2 MONTHS AGO I WAS DRIVING AND THE SEAT ON THE FRONT LEFT HAND (DRIVER SIDE) IT RECLINE WITH OUT WARNING UNTIL IS CAME IN CONTACTED WITH THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION. I WENT TO A FORD DEALER SHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR SUCH PROBLEM. I HAVE SEND AND MADE CALLS AND SEND LETTERS TO FORD, BUT THEY HAVE FAIL TO ANSWER ANY OF MY LETTERS.
NHTSA complaint #10240307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmington, DE
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DT: THE FRONT BOLT THAT HOLDS THE DRIVERS' SEAT SEVERED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10122120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kennewick, WA
SEATS
THE DRIVER SEAT LOOSE, SEAT TRACK BROKE. REPLACED SEAT TRACK. *BF THE WELD ON THE SEAT TRACK HAD BROKEN. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10101808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palestine, AR
SEATS
DRIVER SEAT RECLINER BOLT, THE SEAT BACK/RECLINE/FORWARD BROKE, REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. *BF THE OIL FILTER HAD COME WITH A HOLE TOO LARGE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HANDLE BROKE, THE TIRES BLEWOUT AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10101009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesYork, PA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE BOLT UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED. THREE MONTHS LATER THE POPPING NOISE STARTED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE BOLT WAS FINE BUT THAT THE LEVER FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THE REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE LEVER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10099242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Olathe, KS
SEATS
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK KEPT FLYING FORWARD WHEN THE TRUCK CAME TO A STOP. T HE CONSUMER FEELS VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS TRUCK. PLEASE DESCRIBE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10048634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO FALL BACKWARDS INTO THE REAR SEATS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10034331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peabody, MA
SEATS
VEHICLE IS IN THE REMEDY SCOPE FOR RECAL 03V281000 SUBJECT: HIGH BACK SEATS. DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10034380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,000 milesMonroe, MI
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE TRAVELING 45-50 MPH THE DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REPAIRED SEAT. TWO MONTHS LATER THE SEAT COLLAPSED AGAIN. *AK THE PIN ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHERE THE SEAT BACK ATTACHED TO THE PIVOT WITH THE SEAT BOTTOM HAD SNAPPED TWICE WHICH CAUSED IT TO COLLAPSED BACKWARDS 6-8 INCHES. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10021949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scappoose, ORCrash2 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
THE SEAT IS DESIGNED WIT A HEAD RESTRAINT THAT IS TOO LOW AND CAUSED A PERSONS HEAD TO SNAP BACK RESULTING IN INJURY. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OPHER PEOPLE.
NHTSA complaint #766467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alpharetta, GA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
VEHICLE IDLES TO LOW AND CAUSES IT TO CUT OFF. TOOK TO DEALER 4 TIMES, AND THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK, ALSO CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING POOR GAS MILEAGE..
NHTSA complaint #8012724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alpharetta, GA
SEATS
VEHICLE IDLES TO LOW AND CAUSES IT TO CUT OFF. TOOK TO DEALER 4 TIMES, AND THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK, ALSO CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING POOR GAS MILEAGE..
NHTSA complaint #8012724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alpharetta, GA
SEATS
REAR BENCH SEAT IS NOT STATIONERY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THIS WAS NORMAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8009932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alpharetta, GA
SEATS
REAR SEAT LIFTS UP WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, CAUSING PASSENGER IN SEAT TO ALMOST BE THROWN TO FRONT OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #8009938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sinking Spring, PA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
SEAT DOES NOT RELEASE TO LET BACK PASSENGERS OUT OF TRUCK. THIS PROBLEM IS THE SECOND SET OF SEAT PROBLEMS. I OWNED AN EXPLORER SPORT IN 2000 AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS NOT DEALING WITH THE ISSUE. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THE REAR OF THE TRUCK AND IF SOME THING HAPPENS TO ME UP FRONT, THEY ARE TRAPPED IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AND UNABLE TO GET OUT. SEEMS TO BE A SEAT MECHANISM PROBLEM WHICH THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS. THIS IS ACTUALLY A LIFE/SAFETY ISSUE AND I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.
NHTSA complaint #759664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, TNCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH SEAT BACK LATCH MECHANISM FOR SECOND ROW OF SEATS FAILED, ALLOWING SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.
NHTSA complaint #8002237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loganville, GA
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
THE REAR SEATS IN THE EXPLORER FLIP FORWARD WITH MY CHILDREN IN THEM WHEN STOPPING FAST. THE SEATS DO NOT LOCK DOWN IN ANY WAY. THIS IS HOW THEY ARE BUILT. TRIED TO RETURN THE EXPLORER 1 WEEK AFTER THE LEASE FORD TOLD ME IT'S A DESIGN FLAW, CAN'T BE FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #752578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garland, TXCrash1 injured
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE BACKWARDS ON REAR IMPACT FROM A TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #752132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Englewood, CO3 injured
SEATS
THE REAR SEATS DO NOT LOCK DOWN, CAUSING THE TOP OF SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN SOMEONE EXITS THE BACK SEAT. WHEN THE SEAT COMES FORWARD IT OPENS A PINCH POINT THAT HAS PINCHED THE HANDS OF 3 THAT HAVE RIDDEN IN THE BACK. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ALL AGES BUT ESPECIALLY YOUNG CHILDREN!
NHTSA complaint #745169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beach, VACrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
THE SEATS DO NOT HAVE A SEPERATE HEAD REST THAT IS ADJUSTABLE ACCORDING TO SIZE. ACCORDINGLY, A PERSON OF AVERAGE HEIGHT SITTING IN EITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SEAT IS TO FAR FROM THE TOP OF THE SEAT TO GET ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN AN ACCIDENT. GIVEN TODAY'S SAFETY STANDARDS, I EXPECT MORE FROM A 2001 LIMITED EDITION AUTOMOBILE. MY HUSBAND WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE MAJORITY OF HIS INJURIES COULD HAVE BEEN MITIGATED IF THESE SEATS WERE DESIGNED PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #743612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mamaronecks, NY
SEATS
WHEN COMING TO A STOP PASSENGER'S SEAT SLIDES FORWARD, CAUSE UNKNOWN, ALSO REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RELEASE FROM RETRACTING MECHANISM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #884186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murfreesboro, TN
SEATS
WHEN STOPPING, THE PASSENGER SEAT TRACK RELEASES THE LOCK AND THE SEAT "SLINGS" FORWARD WITH OR WITHOUT ANYONE IN IT. IT HAS SENT MY STEP-DAUGHTER INTO THE DASH AS THE SEAT SLIDE FOWARD. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT STOP IT SINCE THE ENTIRE SEAT WAS MOVING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DAILY OCCURRENCE.
NHTSA complaint #731498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.