12 of the
1,369 complaints about the 2003 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
51,676 miles.
The contact rented a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the seat warmer activated, after arriving at a Rest Stop and exiting the vehicle, the contact became aware that a blister had formed on the back of her left thigh. The contact attributed the blister to a burn sustained while using the driver's side seat warmer. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic, but instead was returned to the rental company. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,253. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11687924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,935 milesSAN Antonio, TX
SEATS
THE PROBLEM WITH THE FORWARD SEAT HEAD REST WRONG ANGLE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO GET STIFF NECK AND GET YOU REALLY TIRED DRIVING LONG DISTANCES, THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST BUT UP AND LOWER NOT ENOUGH TO CLEAR YOUR HEAD TO BE STRAIGHT AS PROPER POSTURE, I UNDERSTAND IT IS TO PREVENT NECK INJURIES, MY RECOMMENDATION TO HAVE AN ADJUSTABLE HEAD REST FWD AND AFT SIDE AND HIGHER TO ADJUST TO YOUR BODY PROPERLY. IT IS A BIG CONCERN SINCE LOTS OF PEOPLE GET ON THE ROAD AND THEY GET REALLY TIRED AND UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10466888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Castle, DE
SEATS
MANUFACTURER LATENT DEFECT - DRIVER SEAT BASE FRAME TRACK BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #10415550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesMount Airy, MD
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED ABOUT THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON, AND WHEN IT WAS ON, THE AIRBAG DEACTIVATED WHICH WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED ALL THE TIME. THE FUSES HAVE BEEN CHANGED UNDER WARRANTY, AND NOW THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, IT WAS NO LONGER REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS TOLD BY ONE SERVICE STATION THAT IT WAS STANDARD FOR THE FUSES TO BLOW BECAUSE OF THE FUSE BOX LOCATION. ANOTHER SERVICE STATION TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THIS WAS NOT TRUE THAT THE FUSE BOX WAS TO HIGH IN THE CAR FOR PEBBLES TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO THE FUSE BOX. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WON'T TURN OFF BY THEM SELVES, EVEN WHEN THE KEYS WERE OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WERE CONSISTENTLY ON. MOREOVER, THE ELECTRONIC SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. SHE HAD THE SEAT REPAIRED TWICE AND IT FAILED AGAIN. FINALLY, CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE'S UNDERCARRIAGE. THE VEHICLE CLANKED STOPPING, TURNING TO GO FORWARD, OR JUST SITTING STILL. THE FIRST TIME THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR SHE WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT IT WAS THE DRIVER'S SEAT THAT WAS CAUSING THE CLANKING NOISE, AND THE SECOND TIME SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE WAS NOT SOMETHING THEY COULD IDENTIFY BECAUSE DURING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING IT DID NOT SHOW A SPECIFIC FAILURE CODE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 114000.
NHTSA complaint #10183996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,100 milesBaton Rouge, LACrash1 injured
SEATS
1. WHILE STOPPED ON THE INTERSTATE WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO MOVE, MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER SUV TRAVELING AT PRESUMABLY HIGHWAY SPEED. AS A RESULT, MY SUV WAS PROPELLED FORWARD, HITTING THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. 2. **DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.** PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED (THE DRIVER WAS THE ONLY PASSENGER). **THE BASE, AND POSSIBLY THE BACK, OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE.** (I WAS RESTRAINED IN A SEAT BELT.) I HIT THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, HITTING MY HEAD QUITE HARD ON THE RUBBER GASKET EDGE OF THE MOONROOF, AND WHEN LANDING I THINK I HIT MY NOSE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I LANDED, THE BASE OF THE SEAT BROKE...WHEN LOOKING AT IT FROM THE SIDE (LOOKING AT THE CONTROLS), THE BASE OF THE SEAT HAS A BEND IN IT LIKE AN UPSIDE-DOWN V, AND THE SEAT BACK APPEARS TO BE RECLINED. I STILL HAVE A KNOT AND PAIN ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD, MY NECK IS STIFF AND NOW SOMETIMES POPS/CRACKS/CRUNCHES WHEN I TURN MY HEAD, MY LEFT SHOULDER JOINT IS VERY SORE, AND I HAVE SOME DULL INTERMITTENT LOWER BACK PAIN. BESIDES TEMPORARY BLEEDING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I AM UNAWARE OF ANY DAMAGE TO MY NOSE. 3. NO REPAIR HAS BEEN DONE. INSURANCE DAMAGE ESTIMATE IS PENDING, BUT I EXPECT IT WILL BE CONSIDERED TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10181830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DC
SEATS
2003 FORD EXPLORER'S DRIVER'S SEAT SHIFTED WHEN THE CONSUMER ACCELERATED OR DECELERATED QUICKLY. *TS THE SEAT WAS REPAIRED ONCE ALREADY. A LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT THE SEAT RECENTLY BUT INDICATED THAT THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE THE REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10176461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesLeesburg, VA
SEATS
REF FORD TSB 05416 FEB 06 - FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IN 2003 EXPLORER BEGINS TO MAKE NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING, SLOWING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. DEALER HEARS PROBLEM, NO PARTS AVAILABLE, AGREE TO RETURN WHEN PARTS RECEIVED. MAR 06 - PARTS RECEIVED (RETAINER CLIPS) AND REPAIRS MADE PER TSB 05416 AUG 06 - SAME PROBLEM AGAIN, DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACING SEAT TRACK FRAME. WILL NOT COVER UNDER TSB AND CLAIMS "BUMPER-TO-BUMPER" EXTENDED WARRANTY ALSO WILL NOT COVER. NOW IN CAT AND MOUSE GAME WITH FORD REGARDING THIS OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT IS POSSIBLY SAFETY RELATED AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10166728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dewitt, AR
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
THE REAR SEAT (CUSHION PORTION) WAS DISLODGED AND THREW THE PERSON SITTING IN THE SEAT WITH A SEAT BELT ON UP AGAINST THE BACK OF THE FRONT SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH SUDDEN STOPS. THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT IT SEVERAL TIMES AND CAN FIND NO WAY TO ANCHOR THAT PORTION OF THE SEAT IN.
NHTSA complaint #10162153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesConroe, TX
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
HELLO. I HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER INCLUDING SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES. THE FIRST COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHICH SHIFTS ROUTINELY ON ACCELERATION AND DE-ACCELERATION. THIS CONCERNS ME IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND THE SEAT MALFUNCTIONS. THE SECOND COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE GEAR SHIFTER NOT GOING INTO PARK EASILY. I HAVE TO JIGGLE IT TO INTO PARK. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MIGHT NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE PARK AND MY VEHICLE MIGHT ROLL. THIRDLY, MY REAR LIFT GATE TRIM HAS HAD TO BE REPAIRED AT LEAST 3 TIMES. I AM CONCERNED THAT ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NO SAFETY ISSUE, THERE POSSIBLY COULD BE DUE TO THE REAR LIFT GATE HINGES BEING RECALLED AND REPRESENTATIVE INFORMING ME THAT THE REASON THAT I CONTINUE TO HAVE A CRACK APPEARING IS DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. THIS CONCERNS ME B/C I FREQUENTLY UTILIZE THE LIFT GATE TO RETRIEVE GROCERIES AND OTHER ITEMS AND DO NOT WANT THE WINDOW TO FAIL AND FALL ON MY HEAD. THE REMAINDER CONCERNS ARE REGARDING THE FUNCTION OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE 3 OF THE WINDOW MOTORS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD TO BE FIXED TWICE (SHIFTING MODULE MALFUNCTION). FINALLY, THE FUEL GAUGE HAD TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO IMPROPER FUEL READINGS. I GUESS ALL THESE ITEMS COULD BE VERY PROBLEMATIC AS WELL B/C I COULD RUN OUT OF GAS AND BE STRANDED WITH MY CHILD, MY VEHICLE MIGHT NOT SHIFT PROPERLY LEAVING ME STRANDED. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. PS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT AS I WAS COMPLETING THIS PROCESS I REMEMBERED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD A HIGH PITCHED WHINE THAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED. I DO NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED BUT IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10161178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,100 milesNewport News, VA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
AT 8000+ MILES IN JANUARY 2004, MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER BROKE. I TURNED THE CAR IN TO THE LOCAL DEALER SERVICE SHOP FOR REPAIR. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAULTY COMPONENT, A SHORTED SWITCH. I USED THE SEAT HEATER FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO AND A HALF MORE MONTHS UNTIL IT GOT WARM. NOW IT'S NOVEMBER 2004 AND I WENT TO USE THE SEAT HEATER, AND AGAIN IT IS BROKEN. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED IN JANUARY. HOWEVER, SINCE I TRAVEL A LOT IN MY VEHICLE, IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE PART'S WARRANTY HAS ALSO EXPIRED, 12 MONTH/12000 MILE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT SINCE THE SAME PART BROKE WITH LIMITED USE, THE DEALER JUST TREATED THE SYMPTOM OF THE PROBLEM AND NOT THE CAUSE. BY REPLACING THE SWITCH, THEY DIDN'T FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED IT'S FAILURE AND THEREFORE DIDN'T FIX MY VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME FOR FIXING THE SEAT HEATER AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10100142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jersey City, NJ
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES, TRANSMISSION AND SEAT RECLINER HANDLE.*MR DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10042606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesNovi, MI
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE SPRING ON THE SECOND SET OF SEATS REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT. EVEN AFTER THE ADJUSTMENT THE SPRING WAS STILL TOO TIGHT/STRONG. CONSUMER WENT TO A FORD DEALER AND EXPLAINED TO HIM JUST WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT HE SHOULD CALL NHTSA AND COMPLAIN. CONSUMER PULLED THE LEVEL TO ADJUST THE SEAT, AND THE SEAT CAME DOWN WITH SO MUCH FORCE THAT IT SPLIT. CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF A CHILD WOULD PULLED THE LEVEL HE OR SHE WOULD CERTAINLY BE INJURED.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10063411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.