at 189,000 miles
Foley, AL
SEATS
MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN A BUMP IS HIT DRIVER SIDE SEAT STOP WORKING
NHTSA complaint #11320858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 Ford Explorer seat problems
30 of the 4,097 complaints about the 2002 Ford Explorer are about the seats — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 53,400 miles.
30
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Seats
18
60.0%
Recliner
5
16.7%
Head Restraint
3
10.0%
Mid/Rear Assembly
2
6.7%
Power Adjust
1
3.3%
Seat Heater/Cooler
1
3.3%
Seats across every Ford Explorer year
1991
16
2.5%
1992
22
3.5%
1993
30
4.7%
1994
20
3.1%
1995
20
3.1%
1996
30
4.7%
1997
40
6.3%
1998
71
11.2%
1999
69
10.9%
2000
40
6.3%
2001
25
3.9%
2002
30
4.7%
2003
12
1.9%
2006
11
1.7%
2007
24
3.8%
2008
27
4.3%
2010
20
3.1%
2013
10
1.6%
2015
16
2.5%
2016
33
5.2%
2017
16
2.5%
2020
39
6.1%
2021
14
2.2%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
Brownsville, PA
SEATS
THE DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL BY THEMSELVES DOZENS OF TIMES IN A ROW WHILE I AM DRIVING. WITH THIS THE DOME LIGHT FLASHES OFF AND ON AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT FLASHES AND THE INTERIOR CHIME GOES OFF CONSTANTLY. ALL OF THIS HAPPENS AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS A HUGE AND COMMON ISSUE WITH THOUSANDS OF FORUM POSTS BY OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE SPEND COUNTLESS $$ AT MECHANIC'S TO NO AVAIL. THIS CAN CAUSE WRECKS AT NIGHT IT IS VERY DISTRACTING. ESPECIALLY THE DOME LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10967531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
SEATS
DRIVER"S SIDE SEAT WILL GO BACK AND FORTH
NHTSA complaint #10896221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mayfield, KY
SEATS
SEAT BRACKET BROKE WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES WHEN A DEER JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF ME.
NHTSA complaint #10659513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Grove, AR
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE FRAME RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10566997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,400 miles
Green BAY, WI
SEATS
THE METAL BARS THAT HOLD THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR BROKE CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WHILE I WAS DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10551338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South River, NJ
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
2002 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A BOLT UNDER THE FRONT SEAT THAT CAN BREAK CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH *TGW THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE HIS VEHICLE REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS 2002, AND NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL# 03V281000, WHICH HE DID REFERENCE.
NHTSA complaint #10477722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,220 miles
Spring Hill, FL
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT WAS ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD BUT WOULD NOT MOVE BACKWARD WHEN ENGAGED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD MAKE DRIVING VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND HE BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD, AS HE FELT HE WAS SITTING TO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,220.
NHTSA complaint #10386857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
Crash
1 killed
SEATS
ON 8/15/09, [XXX]WAS OPERATING HIS 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN HOUSTON, TX WHEN THE EXPLORER WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR BY A PICKUP TRUCK. DURING THE COLLISION, [XXX]SEAT BACK COLLAPSED AND, ALTHOUGH HE HAD BEEN WEARING HIS SEAT BELT, HE WAS EJECTED THROUGH BROKEN-OUT REAR WINDOW GLAZING. [XXX] SUSTAINED MULTIPLE BLUNT FORCE INJURIES FROM WHICH HE DIED. THE SEAT BACK IN THE 2002 EXPLORER IS ATTACHED TO A RECLINER MECHANISM ON EACH SIDE OF THE SEAT. THE RECLINER MECHANISMS ARE ATTACHED TO THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME BY SPIRAL COIL PINS. WHEN THE EXPLORER WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR, THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD IN RELATION TO [XXX] BODY, CAUSING HIS BODY TO LOAD THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK. AS THIS OCCURRED, THE FORCE OF THE SEAT BACK BEING MOVED REARWARD BY [XXX] BODY CAUSED THE RECLINER MECHANISMS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SEATS TO MOVE FORWARD; AS THEY DID SO, THEY CONTACTED THE SPIRAL COIL PINS, AND FRACTURED THOSE PINS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SEAT. WHEN THE SPIRAL COIL PINS FAILED, THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED ONTO THE REAR SEAT CUSHION, AND [XXX] WAS EJECTED INTO THE CARGO AREA OF THE EXPLORER AND THEN OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW GLAZING. [XXX] SUFFERED MUTLIPLE BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA INJURIES, WHICH TOOK HIS LIFE. UPON INVESTIGATION, INCLUDING COMPARISON OF A NUMBER OF OTHER, EXEMPLAR DRIIVER'S SEATS FROM 2002 EXPLORERS, IT HAS BECOME CLEAR THAT THE SPIRAL COIL PINS ARE DEFECTIVELY INSTALLED IN MANY EXPLORER SEATS. THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS MANIFESTED BY THE SPIRAL COIL PINS BEING INSERTED THROUGH MATING HOLES ON THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME TO INCONSISTENT DEPTHS, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PINS NOT TO SEAT PROPERLY IN THOSE HOLES. IN THE CASE OF [XXX], BECAUSE THE SPIRAL COIL PINS WERE NOT INSERTED FAR ENOUGH INTO THE MATING HOLES WHEN MANUFACTURED, THE PINS ON HIS SEAT WERE FRACTURED BY THE RECLINER MECHANISMS AND FAILED TO HOLD HIS SEAT BACK UPRIGHT IN THE COLLISION. THIS FAILURE MECHANISM IN THE PINS ALLOWED FOR [XXX]EJECTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10364191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,000 miles
Asheville, NC
SEATS
PURCHASED 2002 EXPLORER XLT V6 4.0L ALREADY TRANSMISSION SLIPPING SOLENOID OR WHATEVER OUT.. I HAVE READ REPORTS AND WONDER WHY THIS TRANSMISSION IS NOT RECALLED? I HAVE IT IN SHOP NOW HAVING TO HAVE IT REBUILT AND EVERYTHING CHANGED. ALSO RIGHT WHEEL BEARINGS BAD, UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS BAD, SUSPENSION SHOT. AND THE RECORDS SHOW THE PREVIOUS OWNERS MAINTAINED EVERYTHING WELL. BUT ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND HAD PROBLEMS AT 99,000MILES. PLEASE DOING SOMETHING FOR ALL OF US OUT HERE. ALSO COOLANT LEAK, ENGINE LEAK, POWER SEAT FAILURE, AND ON.
NHTSA complaint #10350869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 miles
Suisun City, CA
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SEAT DETACHED FROM THE FLOOR BOARD. THE ELECTRICAL GAUGES AND COMPONENTS WERE ALSO INOPERABLE AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS HAD FAILED. NEITHER THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10340415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 miles
Suisun City, CA
SEATS
DRIVERS SEAT IS DETACHED FROM FLOOR, MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE SAFELY. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, LOCKS DON'T WORK, DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10340442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 miles
Thurman, OH
Crash
1 injured
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON A PATCH OF ICE AND STRUCK A HARD SURFACE. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT BUCKLE BECAME UNDONE AND THE CHILD WAS THROWN AROUND AND INJURED INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,000. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT BROKE OPEN WHEN THE EXPLORER FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. UPDATED 02/14/08
NHTSA complaint #10215642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 miles
Yonkers, NY
SEATS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE DRIVERS SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE SEAT SUPPORT BRACKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 06/19/06.
NHTSA complaint #10158534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,800 miles
Lansing, MI
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
INVESTIGATED AFTER PASSENGER SEATED IN THE RIGHT REAR SEAT, MENTIONED UNUSUAL SEAT MOVEMENT AFTER A MODERATE TO HEAVY BRAKING OCCURRENCE. REAR WASHER HEAD ANCHOR BOLT/NUT WAS BROKEN/SHEERED OFF FLUSH AT THE FLOOR PAN, LEAVING THE SEAT TO TIP SLIGHTLY FORWARD. HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND UNKNOWN AS TO THE EXTENT OF REPAIR NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #10115951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bonne Terre, MO
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V281000 CONCERNING HIGH BACK SEAT. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10115362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 miles
Miami, FL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
MY FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION IT WAS AT 36000 MILES, MY CAR WAS TUNED AND SERVICED AS SHUDULE, AND IT COST A TOTAL OF $1700.00 TO FIX. WHICH THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEAR OLD. THE AIR CONDITION STOP WORKING IN DECEMBER OF 2003 AND AT THE TIME MY CAR WAS BARELY 1 YEAR OLD THIER HAS BEEN MANY OTHER CONCERN WITH MY EXPLORER THAT I AM MAKING $500.00 PAYMENT ON. I BELIVED I HAVE PURCHASE A DEFECTED CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10102482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St.charles, MO
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH THE SPORT BUCKET SEATS. THESE SEATS HAVE NO HEAD RESTS AND OFFER NO PROTECTION TO THE BACK OF MY HEAD. A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED VEHICLE FORD OFFERED A 2002 AND 1/2 THAT HAS HEAD RESTS IN THE BUCKET SEATS. FORD WOULD NOT SWITCH SEATS TO INSURE MY SAFETY AGAINST WHIPLASH.I FEEL THE SPORT BUCKET SEATS I HAVE ARE NOT SAFE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10100005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamden, CT
SEATS
THE DRIVER SEAT WAS TO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH MADE IF DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO DRIVE
NHTSA complaint #10092445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,400 miles
Baltimore, MD
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE RECLINING BOLT FOR THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HAS BROKE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE PART, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10075600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 miles
Warrenton, VA
Crash
3 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS BROKE SENDING FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS BACK. REAR SEAT PASSENGER WAS HIT BY FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SEAT AND BROKE HER JAW IN 3 PLACES. FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS SUFFERED SPLITS IN THEIR HEADS, DRIVER HAD A FRACTURED BACK, AND PASSENGER SUFFERED DIZZINESS AND NECK INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #10068486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,800 miles
Riverside, CA
SEATS
THE SEAT COMPONENTS THAT ARE UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAVE A SEVERE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10046849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 miles
Markham, IL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER BELIEVES SOME BOLTS ARE LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10042869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 miles
Erial, NJ
SEATS
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BOTTOM CRACKED AND THE BACK BROKE WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IMPACTED OR EXCESSIVE FORCE BEING APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #10041833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 miles
NEW Orleans, LA
SEATS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK AND SEAT WERE NOT ATTACHED. DRIVER HAD TO CONNECT THE SEAT TO THE BACK UPON ENTRY. DEALER SAID THAT BOLT ATTACHED TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME FRACTURED. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF DRIVER LOST STEERING CONTROL OR TOOK FOOT OF PEDAL WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10039710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Mankato, MN
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
I BOUGHT A 2002 EXPLORER ON MAY 23,2002. IN THE PAST 8 MONTHS, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED IN BECAUSE IT WOUDN'T START--ACOMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED. MY A/C MADE A HIGH PITCH SQUEAL AND AFTER AT LEAST FIVE TIMES OF TRYING TO REPAIR THE EXISTING A/C CLUTCH, A NEW ONE WAS FINALLY PUT ON. MY FRONT END SUSPENSION HAS BEEN FIXED. MY MIDLIFT GATE CRACKED IN NOVEMBER AND A NEW ONE WAS PUT ON. I HAVE HAD DAILY PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT NOT FULLY GOING INTO POSITION WHEN I START MY TRUCK AND THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS THE SERVICE DEPT. THAT I DEAL WITH NEVERS SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE PROBLEM. FUNNY HOW IT DOES IT EVERY DAY FOR ME, THOUGH. MY BLINKERS WILL SOMETIMES STICK AND STAY ON WITHOUT BLINKING--THIS ALSO HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. AT THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY,2003, ON THE WAY HOME FROM A TRIP, MY HUSBAND AND I NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME WE SLOWED THE TRUCK DOWN, THERE WAS A BLAST OF AIR FROM THE UPPER VENTS IN THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED NO MATTER WHAT SETTING WE HAD IT IN (IE. DEFROST OR FLOOR VENTS). THIS PAST THURSDAY, JAN.16, THE SUSPENSION WAS REPAIRED AND SUPPOSEDLY THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS AS WELL. NOW THE AIR DOESN'T SEEM TO LEAK OUT THE TOP VENTS, BUT CONTINUOSLY COMES OUT OF THE FLOOR VENT, NO MATTER WHAT SETTING THE HEAT IS ON. I HAVE A RENTAL VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN, WHILE THEY KEEP THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT TO SEE IF THEY CAN HOPEFULLY FIX THIS PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE ARE CURRENTLY CHECKING INTO THE LEMON LAW FOR OUR STATE!!!
NHTSA complaint #10003041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mebane, NC
Crash
2 injured
SEATS
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS TO COLLAPSE BACKWARD.TS
NHTSA complaint #10001058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valencia, PA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
IF A PERSON TALLER THAN 5'7 ENTERS INTO THIS SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE, THE HEAD RESTRAINT COMES TO THE BASE OF THE NECK RIGHT AT SHOULDER LEVEL. UPON POSSIBLE IMPACT THE DRIVERS/PASSENGERS HEAD WILL SNAP BACK AND BREAK. ALSO BECAUSE OF THE SEAT HEIGHT EVEN AT ITS LOWEST POSITION, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S HEAD TOUCHES CEILING OF INTERIOR OF THE CAR. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #761625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
FRONT SEAT HAS NO HEAD REST SUPPORT. IF CONSUMER WAS HIT WITH AIRBAG NECK WOULD BREAK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #899885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, VA
SEATS
SECOND SEAT BOLTS THAT HOLD THE SEAT TO THE FRAME ARE MISSING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #895986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.