This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
While traveling on highway was cut off by another vehicle requiring me to heavily brake and sharply swerve to avert collision. Became immediately aware that headrests of front seats provided absolutely no (repeat no) injury (E, G. whiplash) protection. When sitting in front seats the headrests cannot under any circumstances be positioned close to the head of the occupant. This, in turn, provides the perfect opportunity for severe injury such as "whiplash" to occur. Attempts to purchase safer replacement headrests from Ford and other automotive parts stores were unsuccessful as they were reportedly never manufactured.
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the drivers side seat prematurely deteriorated and that there was an internal fracture causing the seat to be structurally unstable. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V281000 (seats). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the driver's seat reclined farther than normal. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the reclining bolt was separated from the metal track. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number 03V281000 (seats). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate current and failure mileage was 159,118.
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the drivers side seat would not stay in the upright position. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and they advised him that the bolting of the seat failed due to the weight capacity. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was also contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
- Lusby, MD, USA
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The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer Sport. The contact stated that the front driver side seat became detached from the mounting bracket of the base. The vehicle was not taken to be examined for the cause of failure. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer where he would be liable for any repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 160,000. Updated 12/21/10 the consumer stated he fixed the seat at his expense. Updated 12/29/10
Every since I had my 1999 Ford Explorer worked on for the seat recliner recall I have had problems with my driver's seat moving like it was not properly secured. I finally was able to determine that the pin holding my drivers side seat to the rail that the side slides on, front to rear, had pulled out of the hole. This means that my seat was not secured to the vehicle. I have attempted to put the pin back into the seat rail but it will not stay in. The result is that the seat remains unsecured to the floor and will fall back if I lean back in it!
Here is the complaint(s) sent to Ford Motor Co about my 1999 Explorer: I have had repeated problems with the driver seat breaking. It yields an unsafe condition and should be recalled. I am very dissatisfied with this repeated problem. I have lost the use of my car and money on several occasions. It is currently in for the same repair again. I have brought this to your attention in the past and have not received any help. Please respond to this in writing and let me know my options. Thanks for your attention to this matter. I then called then and then emailed them this follow up:I called the number you requested and spoke with jason and am dissatisfied with answer he gave me. He did say he would report my case to the engineering department. I would encourage you to do that as I believe the structure of your driver's seats are not properly designed and are unsafe. My experience with them is that the adjustment mechanism bends and then the frame fractures and then the seat can possible snap off. Obviously this is a serious problem if this occurs while driving. I am a registered structural engineer by profession so I understand the basic principles of this issue. Your engineers should check their calculations and/or check the metallurgy of the seat components. There is no reason for a properly designed seat to break like mine has. Probably never buy another Ford, primarily because of this and the lack of standing behind your product.
: the contact stated a popping noise was heard then the bottom of the driver's seat had broken. When the contact sits in the seat, the seat leans to the right side. The dealership has not been notified.
: the contact stated the driver side seat does not recline. If the seat is adjusted to lean forward, it will not go back. The dealership determined the seat needs to be replaced because the seat track is bent. Updated 2/24/2006 - the seat will recline but will not adjust. It is frozen on the track and as a result the consumer cannot reach the gas pedal.
Consumer replaced front driver's seat (bottom frame) 3 times. Each time the seat frame has broken in the same manner. The frame metal ripped/tore at the location of the mounting bolt for the recliner lever. The tearing caused the seat back to recline without warning on the left side. As a result the driver fell backwards away from the steering wheel.
While consumer was driving the frame at the base of the seat broke in two. The metal bracket connected to the side of the side adjustment broke and caused the seat to fall back.
There was a recall for the driver's seat recliner bolt. After taking vehicle in 3 different times to get recall work done, after it was completed, the seat is still malfunctioning due to damage done in the interim between the malfunction and a year later getting the recall bolt fixed. The different brackets and bolts that support the seat broken. Driver is relying on steering column for support while driving, and also has back pain due to lack of support. The seat recliner lever is bent and exposed, which is tearing the fabric of the seat and also scrapes against the driver when entering and exiting the vehicle, causing bruises and pain on the back of the driver's leg. Attempts to work with Ford Motor Company, the better business bureau, and the dealer have proved futile.
03-V-281-000:the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture. If the bolt fractures and does not jam in the seat back frame, the seat back may recline until it makes contact with an object behind the seat, such as the second row seat cushion. Consumer has the same problem.
Crossbar under front of power seat broke I was told the whole assembly including motor needs replaced not just the bar. It is like driving on water(floating around). The warranty would cover if the motor failed or if it was a nonpowered seat. This is hazardous and should be fixed as a safety issue.
While driving at speed limit of 45 mph bottom bolt that holds drivers seat broke, causing the seat to fold back. Consumer had barely survived this incident.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Burlingame, CA, USA