1998 Ford Explorer seats problems

Filed Jan 9, 2020 · Acceleration, Seats · 182,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed May 28, 2014 · Seats · 53,360 miles · WA

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.

Filed Dec 18, 2010 · Seats · 50,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Aug 19, 2010 · Airbags, Seats · 190,000 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

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

Filed Jun 5, 2009 · Seats · 100,000 miles · TX

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 the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v281000 (seats:front assembly:recliner). The vehicle has not been properly repaired. The failure and current mileages were 100,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2009 · Seats · 157,565 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have it repaired according to the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Aug 20, 2008 · Seats · 85,002 miles · WA

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..

Filed Mar 4, 2008 · Seats · 117,400 miles · NM

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 the federal safety agency recall number 03v281000 (seats:front assembly: recliner) and was informed that they do not honor the federal safety agency recalls. The current mileage was 117,800 and failure mileage was 117,400.

Filed Nov 13, 2007 · Seats · 150,000 miles · MN

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Nov 23, 2005 · Seat belts, Seats · 92,000 miles · IL

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.