The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was little support for the driver side seat back and while driving 35 mph, the seat fractured. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 03V281000 (seats:front assembly:recline) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs however, the contacts vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was contacted who confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall and offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 30,000.

- El Paseo, TX, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was parked when the contact observed the recliner bolt which secured the driver seat back was broken causing the seat to collapse in a backward position. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 03V281000 (component: Seats: Front assembly: Recliner). The authorized dealer was notified and stated there was a prior recall remedy repair performed on the vehicle. The recall service repair failed to correct the safety defect. The vehicle had not been repaired for the malfunction. The failure and current mileages were 89,000.

- Juliet, IL, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 35 mph, the driver's side high back seat collapsed backwards. The seat recliner mechanism was the cause of the failure. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and was able to resume driving in an upright position. The failure occurred without warning. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 03V281000 (seats:front assembly:recliner), although the failures were identical. The vehicle has not been repaired and is currently not being driven. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 128,000.

- New Paris , IN, USA

1999 Ford Explorer recall on seat recliner customer wants to know about other customer complaints* the consumer stated there was a recall on the seating for the 99 Ford Explorer and in August 2003 he took it to a dealership who in fact performed the repairs and now four years later the problem has occurred yet again but the consumer stated there is nothing that they can do. *

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. While driving the vehicle, the driver's front seat was rocking and vibrating due to the seat failure, the contact was occasionally unable to reach the pedals. The contact stated that this failure was an accident waiting to happen. The consumer states he wants to be reimbursed for repairs. Update 05/10/07

- Birmingham, AL, USA

1998 Ford Explorer developed problems with the front seat recliner. The consumer received recall # 03V281000. The consumer stated the driver seat has not failed, however the passenger seat did.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

I've received notice of a potential problem with the seat recliner bolt on my 1999 Ford Explorer indicating this would be repaired free of charge. When I contacted the service department of the dealer I purchased the vehicle from, I was told there was a possiblity the bolt could break off while they were making the repairs and they would need to have the vehicle over night. When I asked for assurance they provide a loaner car, they refused. In my mind, this does not constitute repair without charge. I would be glad to drop this off for repairs if I can be assured I can have my vehicale back that same day. Should they break the bolt and need to have it overnight would be their something they caused and should be responsible for, not the consumer. What is to stop them from intentionally doing this to make money on rental fees. All I ask is for some reassurance this repair will be made with charge to me. Ford Motor Company must take full responsibility for repairing and reassuring its customers this safety problem is repaired without cost and risk to its customers.

- Waukesha, WI, USA

Driver's seat was reclining backward while driving and was shifting towards the driver's door. The dealer was not notified at this time.

- Auburndale, FL, USA

Passenger side seat recently flung forward as a result of a broken bolt. The dealer refused to replace bolt/latch indicating it is not covered under the recall. The dealer replaced the driver's side bolt under recall 03V281000 but not the passenger side bolt.

- Cordova, TN, USA

While driving in reverse and applying the brakes to stop vehicle suddenly driver's seat back recliner broke. As result, the consumer lost control.

- Fulton, MS, USA

Driver's seat suddenly reclined and could not return back to the upright position. Dealer notified.

- Norman, OK, USA

On my 1999 Ford Explorer, the drivers seat frame broke. Sometime prior to the 2003 recall for the bolt failure of the seat recliner assembly, the frame also failed causing the seat to recline partially even thou the setting is in the top position. The seat also moves back and forth when holding the back rest, and pushing on it. The recliner release is bent, and the plastic cover on the bottom of the seat is now broken also because the seat is so bad out of position. But the recall bolt was replaced at the dealer, however they would not repair the broken seat frame.

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

While driving 55 mph, consumer felt looseness and a "breaking" sound which left his seat in a reclined position. Recalls 03S04 and 03S03 were repaired on the vehicle, but the consumer was told that the seat was not remedied because it was not apart of the recall. The consumer was also not eligible for reimbursement. Recall# 1552880.

- Claremont, CA, USA

The passenger side seat recliner mechanism broke. There was a recall for something similar to this a year ago concerning the high back driver seat.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

While driving at an undetermined speed, the front passenger seat collapsed without warning. This caused the passenger to fall backwards into the rear seat. The consumer will contact the dealership.

- Stuarts Draft, VA, USA

Vehicle's seat bolt recalled, and the seat back collapsed unexpectedly. The dealership informed the consumer that the problem he experienced with the seat was not the recalled part, but instead a sat back frame that broke.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

The driver's seat back reclined while driving. The dealer replaced the bolt. The consumer stated after the vehicle was picked up, the seat back continued to recline.

- Sand Springs, OK, USA

Recall# 03V281000 subject: High back seats. The dealer informed the consumer that the recall repair could not be done because they waited too long to bring the vehicle in for repair/replacement.

- Clay, AL, USA

Manufacturer's recall 03504 concerning seat recliner bolt: This vehicle is a part of a recall, but the dealer refuses to repair the problem. The dealer found that the recliner mechanism is damaged and wants the consumer to pay for repairing the mechanism. Consumer feels that because the bolt breaking is the reason that the mechanism is damaged in the first place, and refuses to pay for repairs.

- Richland, WA, USA

Owner received a recall notice, and took the vehicle to dealership. To install bolts for the reclining seat mechanism, which was part of the recall. However, dealer declined to do repairs because vehicle was diagnosed with a broken seat frame. Owner was told he would have to pay for broken seat frame repairs.

- Erial, NJ, USA