2004 Ford Explorer Seats Problems
2 owner-reported seats complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (2)
Your driver's seat suddenly reclines backward on its own, both while driving and when parked. This issue started when the vehicle was about 3 years old and has persisted for 15 years despite attempted repairs. You may need to replace the entire seat since the recline mechanism appears to have failed.
Parts you may need:
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ON 11/19/04 I ALMOST WAS INVOLVED ON AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE DRIVER BACK SEAT OF MY FORD EXPLORER 2000, 65,000 MILES VIN #[XXX]. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR ON 11/22/04, AND I WAS NOTIFIED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A BROKEN BOLT AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT AND THEY DID THE REPAIR FREE OF COST. WHEN I SEATED ON THE REPAIRED SEAT I NOTICED THAT THE BACK SEAT IS NO LONGER PARALLEL TO THE STEERING WHEEL; IT IS APPROXIMATELY 2" TWISTED TO THE LEFT. IN ADDITION, WHEN I HOLD THE TOP OF THE BACK SEAT I CAN TILT IT FORWARD AND BACKWARD AND IT HAS ABOUT 6" OF PLAY. I BROUGHT THE PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF FORD MOTOR CO. AND THEY SAY THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. THE FORD CO. SAYS THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A BROKEN TRACK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT. I BELIEVE THERE IS A FLAW IN THE MECHANISM SINCE A DRIVER SEAT SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 4 YEARS OR 65,000 MILES. THE SEAT IS UNSAFE AND ACTIONS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM MUST BE TAKEN BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. I HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP ME WITH THE SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM AND CAN SAVE SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE. I AM FORTUNATE TO BE ALIVE. SINCERELY,[XXX]. *NM UPDATED 07/04/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)