Consumer Complaint Detail

FORD / EXPLORER SPORT / 1999

Recalls
1 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
No Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 005007006 Incident Date: Feb, 04 2005
Consumer's City: DIVIDE Consumer's State: CO
Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO Manufacturers Name: Ford Motor Company
Model Name: EXPLORER SPORT Model Year: 1999
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Seats:front assembly:recliner
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No Persons Injured: 1
Vehicle's VIN#: Date added to File: May, 23 2021
Date Complaint Received: Feb, 15 2005 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: No Purchase Date: Apr, 12 1999
Was Original Owner: No Anti-lock Brakes: Yes
Number of Cylinders: 6 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: This report concerns a 1999 ford explorer sport 2dr 4x4. vehicle has 144,000 plus miles. specifically this pertains to the front driver?s seat (non-power model). over the last 5 years i have replaced the front drivers seat (bottom frame) three times. each time the seat frame has broken in the same manner. the problem is that the frame metal rips/tears at the location of the mounting bolt for the recline lever. this tearing causes the seat back to recline without warning on the left side causing the driver to fall backwards away from the steering wheel. ford has stated that they do not have any info on this. this is somewhat strange as they apparently directed dealerships approximately 2 yrs ago to replace this frame on all affected vehicles. the problem is very apparent and a very easy fix. the tearing occurs just to the front of the (front) bolt hole about 1/8 inch from the hole. there is a large spot welded plate inside the frame where the bolts for the recline lever insert into the frame. if this plate was extended about 4 inches or more past the frame holes this problem would not occur. i have detailed photos of this frame and problem area available for use to your office as well as the frame itself.*ak